Having a sense of belonging and feeling welcome within your school is the foundation for developing a positive school culture.
Taking the time to greet one another, making eye contact, and sharing a friendly comment to someone can be just what it takes to build a culture where everyone feels present. It is the power of words and human connection that can fuel a positive school culture.
Human interaction is a necessity and research indicates that individuals thrive when such personal contacts exist. That is why it is important to plan meaningful opportunities throughout each day for students and staff to communicate and collaborate together. It just might be the boost they need to establish a successful school day that is filled with productive, meaningful, and memorable learning opportunities.
Our school’s Culture Committee plans opportunities for our Elementary School classrooms every month. Although it has been different this year, as we cannot gather as an entire student body, we have been creative while planning; we have provided opportunities for pods where they can participate and share photos back and forth for their peers to see.
This week’s opportunity was a Scavenger Hunt where clues provided allowed classroom students and teachers to work together to solve each clue and find the outside location. Students collaborated, problem solved and then actively went to each location to be certain they had solved the clue correctly.
It has been a great week for outside learning opportunities!
Steve Emery is the Elementary Principal of Georgia Elementary Middle School. He is a regular contributor to THE FWSU STORY. You can follow him @Emery_Gems.
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