Is there a change of climate at your school site? How can change be more positive?

Members of a school community experience their environment through school climate, meaning a place where they feel safe, where they can engage and feel successful. Every school has its own personality and feel, which is very unique to each school, whether it feels busy, welcoming, chaotic, or serious. But it's important that the climate feels positive.School climate sets the tone for everyone within the school and its surrounding community, including teachers, staff, parents and students. The interactions between people acquired in schools are different than those we get from our families. You have to learn to interact with different people and negotiate, connect, understand, and work together with people who look different than us and who see the world differently from us, and who may not have the same morals and values.When you think of how the weather has an effect on our day, school climate shares the same principles, ranging from cool and toxic, to warm and supportive.School climate affects the overall success of a school. Research shows that there is a connection between drug and alcohol use and school climate, which may increase or decrease depending on the school climate. Schools are addressing higher levels of violence, suspensions, and expulsions, so it's imperative that school climate improvement is made. Also, issues such as bullying are another example that all schools could stand some improving. A high turnover rate of teachers also affects school climate, leaving schools with toxic climates.What can be done to create a more positive school climate?First of all, when there's a warm, supportive environment, students will engage more academically. Also, hiring and promoting from within the school's organization not only builds trust among staff members, but it promotes positive work ethics. It's imperative to give all staff members a voice in decision-making as well. School safety is a very important factor to consider and it's just as important to address negative people in order to stop any negativity that may exist in a classroom. It's good to allow students and teachers the opportunity to take chances and risks, in order for them to succeed. Allow for failure, so that risks can be taken.For a positive school climate, it's important to have both individual and group goals. Staff members should collaborate together, whether it be through co-teaching, developing lesson plans, or helping each other out with students who are disruptive. Teachers, as well as parents and students, need to have awareness and commitment in order to prevent bullying. They need to incorporate character and anti-bullying instruction into the school curriculum. Clear expectations that are enforced for each and every student are an indicator of a positive climate.  In order to engage in a warm climate in schools, teachers need to get parents more involved with activities, by seeking parents and interacting with them in a positive way.School climate surveys should be sent out to various groups of people, such as parents, students, teachers and personnel about once a year. Look for validity and reliability for forms on the internet when seeking out a survey to use. The climate is extremely important as it has a great impact on the entire school and whether professional learning communities can be developed. It also impacts school leadership and how it interacts with faculty and staff. A climate based on trust relates to student success. Collegial leadership should have a sense of professionalism, with a leader who meets the social needs of the faculty and treats teachers as professionals.Teachers should be professional and respect one another, while being committed to student success, not having to compete with each other. The school should have high academic standards, which should be achievable goals for all students.

School culture Rewired: How to Define, Assess, and Transform it| Todd Whitaker | ASCD

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