SDL 5: OCT EXPECTATION “Examining the conditions necessary to create positive, accepting and safe...

1. What does a positive school climate look like?

1.1. All members of the school community demonstrate respect, fairness and kindness in their interactions, and build healthy relationships that are free from discrimination and harassment.

1.2. Students are encouraged and given support to be positive leaders and role models in their school community – for example, by speaking up about issues such as bullying.

1.3. Principles of equity and inclusive education and strategies for students and staff related to bullying prevention and intervention and awareness-raising are reinforced across the curriculum.

1.4. The learning environment, instructional materials, and teaching and assessment strategies reflect the diversity of all learners.

1.5. every student is inspired and given support to succeed in an environment of high expectations.

2. Establishing Trust by...

2.1. Create a caring and supportive relationship – Caring relationships within systems convey compassion, understanding and respect. They are grounded in attentive listening and establish safety and basic trust.

2.2. Positive and high expectations – High expectations communicate firm guidance, structure and challenge, and most importantly convey a belief in a young person’s innate resilience. They highlight strengths and assets as opposed to problems and deficits.

2.3. Opportunities for meaningful participation – Opportunities for meaningful participation, leadership and contribution to the community may be actualized through decision making, listening and being heard, with each person being included with valued responsibilities. It is no surprise that these protective processes work. They meet our basic human needs for love and belonging; for respect, challenge and structure; for involvement, power and ultimately, meaning. They meet every child’s need to be included, recognized and values by others.

3. Model: Promoting a Positive School Climate in Ontario Schools

4. RESOURCES:

4.1. Promoting a Positive School Climate: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/IntroDocEng.pdf

4.2. Building a Caring Community by Jeanne Gibbs http://tribes.com/about/building-a-caring-community/

4.3. Building a Caring Community (Chapter 1-Pearson) http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/0132658216.pdf

5. The outcome of a positive, accepting and safe learning space: STUDENTS WILL SHOW...

5.1. 1. Social competence: responsiveness, cultural flexibility, empathy, caring, communication skills and a sense of humor.

5.2. 2. Problem-solving skills: planning, help-seeking, critical and creative thinking.

5.3. 3. Autonomy: a sense of identity, self-efficacy, self-awareness, task-mastery and adaptive distancing from negative messages and conditions.

5.4. 4. A sense of purpose with belief in a bright future: goal directed, educational aspirations, optimism, meaning, and spiritual connectedness.

6. THE 11 PRINCIPLES ( These will help you focus on creating positive connections with children.)

6.1. Principle 1: Connect Before You Correct (Get to know them)

6.2. Principle 2: Time In (Take personal interest in their interests)

6.3. Principle 3: Belonging and Significance (Help them feel important by giving them important tasks/jobs)

6.4. Principle 4: Love (Be emotionally present for them, you need to show care for issues or concerns they bring to your attention)

6.5. Principle 5: Class Meeting (Take time to gather children together any time you sense the need to connect or address a particular issue. Starting the day off with a meeting is a good way to show that you care)

6.6. Principle 6: Make a Sacrifice (Giving extra time to children when they come in and throughout the day is an important way to help children feel they are loved. Make a commitment to spend more time with children who need extra attention)

6.7. Principle 7: Establish Routines and Traditions (Use every opportunity to create experiences that build a sense of common identity)

6.8. Principle 8: Talk About Children Positively to Others (Let children overhear you speaking positively about them—bragging about their good qualities, efforts, and actions—to others. We want children to know how proud we are of the skills they are learning)

6.9. Principle 9: Put It in Writing (Writing and receiving messages help children learn a spirit of gratitude and affirmation. If the child can read, write a note of thanks or encouragement. When children are too young to read, send notes home and have parents read them. Leave notes on desks or in cubbies of children who show generous actions to their friends)

6.10. Principle 10: Kiss Your Brain (When a child is exhibiting behavior that makes you proud or is making great choices, be sure to praise, thank, and draw attention to their great contributions)

6.11. Principle 11: Positive Closure (At the end of the day, remind children that they are special and loved. Help them look for something good, both about the day that is finished and the one that lies ahead)