Typically, whenever any of us are asked to comment about our past experiences as students, we often describe “how we felt” about certain aspects of our own schooling. This description is often stated in emotional terms or “feelings” that we may have had for a particular course of study, teachers, coaches, or classmates. It is not uncommon for a person’s initial response to be something like, “I really didn’t enjoy middle school,” or “I really liked my 10th grade English teacher,” and so forth. We describe feelings related to safety, relationships, teaching and learning and the external environment. Because of this, it stands to reason that the climate of a school system can have an impact on student growth, both academically and emotionally. According to the National School Climate Center, school climate “refers to the quality and character of school life.”
At the South Orangetown Central School District, we understand the importance of supporting a positive school climate that contributes to learning and student development. As such, we have formed the SOCSD School Quality Task Force that met for the first time on Tuesday, January 24. This task force is comprised of approximately 20 members from our community, our four schools, and the central office who will meet regularly to sustain and improve school climate. Using research and readily available data, as well as the results from the Community Strategic Planning Survey, the Task Force will recommend prescriptive solutions towards a sustainable school climate that include:
Norms, values and expectations that support people feeling socially, emotionally and physically safe
People who are engaged and respected
Students, families and educators who work together to develop, live and contribute to a shared school vision
Educators who model and nurture attitudes that emphasize the benefits and satisfaction gained from learning
Each person contributing to the operations of the school and the care of the physical environment
While an improved school climate may be seen as a lofty goal, we are thankful to the people who serve on the SOCSD School Quality Task Force for taking these important first steps. Our ongoing efforts will ensure safer schools where students and staff enjoy positive interpersonal relationships, and where teaching and learning take place in an environment that is respectful and free of emotional and physical hazards.
The “Dimensions of School Climate” that our task force will be using to guide their analysis of the survey results can be found here.
In the weeks to come, stay tuned for updates regarding progress towards our strategic goal of promoting a culture based on high expectations for healthy and safe behaviors while promoting respect and good citizenship.