Running head: SCHOOL CULTURE 1

Establishing a School Culture

Michelle W Butler

NC Principal Preparation Program - JPLA

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Establishing School Culture

Wolfpack Elementary believes every student deserves a high-quality education. We honor diversity and ensure that equitable access
and opportunities are available to all of our learners. The following is a brief overview of the programs and initiatives that Wolfpack
Elementary will implement during the next school year as we move forward in achieving our vision.

Cultural Program/Initiative Timeline of

Element Implementation

Demography / Parent Engagement Nights October 2019 -

Community ● Parent engagement nights will take place once per quarter, tentatively in October, May 2020
History December, March, and May.
● Teachers and students will design and facilitate parent sessions demonstrating
academic concepts and skills learned that quarter.
● Fellowship opportunities and activities will be incorporated into the evenings to
strengthen community partnerships.

History of our School/Community October 2019-

● A volunteer committee of staff, parents, students, and community members will be February 2020
created to research the history of the school and community.
● The history committee will compile the information into a digital story to be posted
on the school website. Posters, visual summaries, and pictures will be gathered,
created, and displayed in the school’s main hallway.

Community Partnerships September 2019 -

● Invitations to participate in and support school initiatives, including the parent ongoing
engagement nights, and history committee will be sent to local businesses and
organizations.
● Teachers are encouraged to collaborate with the administration to leverage our
community resources and enhance student learning through relevant activities and
community interaction.
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Collaboration Extended Professional Learning Communities August 2019 -

● Extended Professional Learning Community (PLC) teams of special educators, June 2020
general education teachers, and related service providers will meet at a minimum of
once per month to enhance/unify instructional planning and program
implementation.

Protected PLC Meetings and Support August 2019 -

● Each PLC team will have a designated and protected planning period each week to June 2020
collaborate and discuss student learning. PLC teams will utilize the four guiding
questions for a PLC in order to maximize and build upon the strengths of the team.
● Administrators and/or curriculum coaches will attend and participate in weekly
PLC meetings, providing additional support, ideas, and resources, as needed. Data
from instructional rounds, formatives, and classroom observations will be shared
and used to facilitate discussion of effective practices and student progress.

Shared Vision School Vision July - August

● The principal will meet with all staff prior to the start of the school year gathering 2019
information about the culture and climate of the school.
● Staff will provide input on the school vision through surveys and interviews. The
administration team will compile the input to create a draft of the school vision
which will be finalized at the first school improvement team meeting.

Performance Student Recognitions September 2019 -

Focused ● Student of the Month: Two students will be recognized each month and invited to June 2020
Rewards enjoy breakfast with the principal. In addition to breakfast, each student of the
month will receive a special brag tag to add to their collection.
● Brag Tags: Students will earn classroom recognitions for character and
achievements. Students will be encouraged to wear their brag tags on “Way to Go
Wednesdays.”

Staff Recognitions September 2019 -

● Spotlight on Staff: The school administrative team will recognize one staff member June 2020
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each week in the staff newsletter for their dedication and impact on students.
● Staff Member of the Month: Staff members will be encouraged to submit
nominations (names and reasons) of fellow staff members who have made positive
contributions to the school. The staff will vote on the recipient who will be
recognized at the next faculty meeting and receive preferential parking for the
month.

Empowerment Instructional Rounds October 2019 -

● Staff will participate in instructional rounds following each monthly professional June 2020
development topic. Teachers will select peer teachers to observe and record their
observations using a school created assessment tool.

Interview Panel As needed

● Teacher representatives will participate in the interview process for the hiring of
new staff. The hiring committee will be encouraged to ask questions during the
interview and provide honest feedback to the administration team following the
interview.
March - April
Teacher-led Professional Development 2020
● EdCamp: Teacher leaders will facilitate professional learning sessions based on
teacher interest and identified needs of the school.
● Time will be allocated during monthly staff meetings for teacher leaders to present
mini-PD sessions on instructional strategies, tools, or resources.

Conflict Morning Meetings September 2019 -

Resolution ● All classrooms will institute morning meetings to build trust and promote healthy June 2020
relationships between students. Possible discussion topics and questions for the
morning meetings will be prepared by the guidance department.

Communication Commitment August 2019 -

● Staff will engage in discussions that promote a culture of respect. All staff members ongoing
will model the use of interpersonal skills and address concerns that arise using
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positive conversations.

Collaborative Kitchen Table Discussions September 2019 -

Decision ● A kitchen table discussion format will be instituted quarterly to enable the staff the June 2020
Making opportunity to engage in reflective and productive dialogue about the current status
of the school culture and initiatives.

Teacher Input September 2019 -

● Interviews and surveys will be regularly used to gather teacher perceptions, ideas, June 2020
and suggestions for school improvement.

Systematic Internal Communication August 2019 -

Communication ● A weekly newsletter will be distributed to staff including important dates, June 2020
upcoming events, reminders, and staff recognitions.
● Remind will be used to notify staff in the event of an emergency or instances when
information needs to be quickly disseminated.

External Communication August 2019 -

● The school will communicate regularly with the community using connect ed, June 2020
English and Spanish newsletters, and social media. The school will maintain an
updated website and will utilize Twitter and Facebook.
● Teachers will maintain updated websites and communicate regularly with parents
via phone, emails, or newsletters.

Diversity Equity/Diversity team October 2019 -

Considerations ● An equity and diversity team of volunteers will be created to evaluate current ongoing
practices and make recommendations for improvement. The goal of the
equity/diversity team is to ensure that the cultural traditions of all students and staff
are respected and honored and that all students have equitable access to school
programs, activities, and instruction.

Professional Development September 2019 -

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● Staff will participate in a six-part professional development series titled: February 2020
Differentiated Instruction & Support. This PD series will increase understanding of
student diversity and provide collaborative opportunities for problem-solving and
exchange of effective instructional practices.
● The session topics are English Learners, Exceptional Children, Multi-Tiered
System of Support framework, and Economically Disadvantaged Support.
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References

Erkens, C., & Twadell, E. (2012). ​Leading by design: An action framework for PLC at work leaders.​ Bloomington: Solution Tree

Press.