Improving School Culture

Magnus Hemans, Robin Griffin & Ryan Ewell

School Culture Headband Activity
What is Culture ?
"School culture is the set of norms, values and
beliefs, rituals and ceremonies, symbols and
stories that make up the 'persona' of the
school."

A core set of beliefs underlies the school's

overall culture.

School culture has a profound effect on staff

development.

Always Tell stories of accomplishment and

collaboration whenever there's an opportunity.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin275.shtml
Getting Parents Involved
Organize an after-school homework club

Participate in a reading partners program

Help produce school newsletters and other

community outreach materials

Start a community book club

Chaperone field trips or social events

Participate in a fundraising event

Get involved with your school's PTA

https://www.care.com/a/16-ways-parents-can-be-involved-in-the-classroom-1307020519
 Teachers
We are trained to identify
problems - student behavior,
achievement, student abilities,
resources etc.

Identifying problems is a skill and

it is the first step in solving any
problem

It is sometimes easy to focus too

heavily on what is wrong and
ignore all that is right
 Reasons To Be Proud of Our School
Not everything is broken - revel
in what is working - celebrate

In groups of five and six - Write

ten reasons to be proud of our
school - include actions of
teachers, students, programs,
strategies, recognition the school
has received, activities the
school is involved in
 Highlight your School's Success
Have teachers sign document
and post it prominently in the
school - hallways and every
classrooms

Post pictures that depict schools

success throughout the
school especially in the
hallways
Getting Community Involved
Institute Study Circles: People meet in small groups with a facilitator to discuss an
issue, formulate an action plan, and then present their ideas to a decision-making
body.

Offer a rich variety of events:open houses, neighborhood walks, welcome

sessions, summer programs, workshops and courses, barbecues and picnics
that not only communicate information, but open the door for school staff, families,
and community members to get to know one another .

INQUIRE of parents and communities, listening to their feedback and responding

to questions and concerns through conversations, public forums, surveys and
focus groups. As active co-creators of policies, programs and practices, the
community becomes members of school councils, along with funders, business
Getting Students Involved
Academic success and the motivation to learn is expected, respected, and
rewarded.

Create an environment where the motivation to learn, that can be cultivated in

the home, in the classroom, or, at a broader level, throughout an entire school
is nurtured.

Offer student choices in their instructional settings and support their

participation in cocurricular and extracurricular activities.

Establish goals that will provide opportunities for all students to be recognized,
recognize progress in goal attainment, and emphasize a broad array of
learning activities.
Conclusion / Handout
School culture is the set of norms, values and beliefs, rituals and ceremonies, symbols and stories that
make up the 'persona' of the school.

Parents can get involved by helping out with events at school and chaperoning trips.

When your focus is on the good things, you SEE more good.

Celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of your staff and school.

Show off your schools successes!

Involve your community in your decision-making processes.

Involve your students in your decision-making processes.