Plan for Establishing a School Culture for Truth Elementary School 

By Gladys Washington  

Implementation of Cultural Elements in Year One  Timeline 

The Creation of Truth Elementary’s New Shared Vision   

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with the school’s phenomenal  June 2019 - July 2019 
Leadership Team. During this time, we analyzed data from the 18-19 EOGs, Teacher Working Conditions   
Survey, and EOY Parent and Student survey feedback. Based on our findings, we discovered that   
student achievement and growth across subgroups, staff and student morale, and lack of cohesive   
collaboration and planning are the areas of improvement that are greatly impacting our school’s culture.   
   
Our Shared Vision   
The stakeholders of the Truth Elementary School community will work collaboratively to grow and   
educate diverse, responsible students who will become equitable and productive citizens in our global   
society.   
   
.​Implementation of School Vision Goal   
In an effort to address these needs and meet our SIP goals, the Leadership Team and I worked   
diligently to create a new shared vision statement for the 2019-2020 school year. We believe that if   
staff, students. and parents embrace a growth mindset about student achievement, develop a   
willingness to foster a collaborative school environment, and build trusting relationships, Truth   
Elementary School’s culture will improve significantly.   
   
● Task 1​: All staff members will learn shared vision and how it relates to SIP and school culture.  August 2019 
   
● Task 2:​ Teachers will teach students the vision statement and its importance by integrating it  Aug. 2019 - May 2020 
into morning meeting, building it into lessons, and posting it classrooms, and hallways.    
   
● Task 3:​ Staff members will share school vision with all stakeholders by posting it at the front of  Aug. 2019 - May 2020 
the school in staff lounges, on meeting agendas, in school newsletters, and on the school’s  (on-going) 
website.  
 Plan for Establishing a School Culture for Truth Elementary School 
By Gladys Washington  
Collaboration & Collaborative Decision Making Goal - Year One    
Truth staff members will develop and maintain a professional, collaborative school culture that focuses  Sept. 2019 - May 2020 
on mutual respect, moral purpose, and student achievement.  (on-going) 
● Task 1:​ All staff members will participate in ​How to Win Friends & Influence People​ book study.  Aug. 2019 - Jan. 2020 
   
● Task 2:​ The Leadership Team will provide high quality schoolwide training for conducting  Aug. 2019 - Nov. 2019 
effective PLT/PLC meetings and diving deep into data.. (The first PLT meeting of every month)   
  Sept. 2019 - June 2020 
● Task 3:​ All staff members will participate in team building activities during staff meetings & staff  (on-going) 
trainings on protected teacher workdays   
   
● Task 4:​ Grade level teams, specialists, and administration will collaborate during PLT meetings,  Sept 2019 - June 2020 
vertical planning, Integration Days, and Data Days.  (on-going)  
 
 

Systematic Communication Goal   

To build credibility and keep all Truth community stakeholders informed, administration and teachers   
will establish and implement clear and consistent structures of systematic communication.    
   
Principal’s Tasks  Aug, 2019 - June 2020 
● Will send a weekly phone message to families by 7 PM every Sunday   
● Will send a Monday morning message to staff via email by 7 AM   
● Will send the “Truth be Told” bi-weekly newsletter via email/Google Drive to all staff members   
every other Thursday   
● Administrative team will make posts of upcoming events and important information on school   
website and social media   
● Will hold the Principal’s chat once a month at 9:30 A.M. (in the cafeteria) to get suggestions and   
feedback from parents and community on ways to improve school   
   
Teachers’ Tasks  Aug, 2019 - June 2020 
● Will send bi-weekly newsletters to parents on paper/electronically 
● Will make daily contact with parents via email, text messages, Class Dojo, or REMIND as 
needed. 
● Will post upcoming events and important school and classroom information on websites and 
social media ( Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)  
● Will inform parents of student progress & behavior by sending home graded work, interims, and 
report cards 
● Will hold parent-led, teacher-led, and student-led conferences 
 Plan for Establishing a School Culture for Truth Elementary School 
By Gladys Washington  
Diversity Considerations Goal   
The T.E.S. staff will implement school-wide initiatives that acknowledge and celebrate diversity and  Sept. 2019 - May 2020 
equity, promote relationship building, and integrate social emotional learning into classrooms and  (on-going) 
content areas.    
   
● Task 1​: All staff members will participate in Equity professional developments and trainings  Sept. 2019 - Feb 2020 
.  (on-going) 
● Task 2:​ All classroom teachers will receive growth mindset and Positivity Project training to help  Sept. 2019 - Dec 2019 
students build strong relationships by recognizing character strengths and addressing social   
emotional learning. Training will take place the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month   
   
● Task 3:​ Administrative team will work with teachers to create an Equity Team.  Sept 2019 - Nov. 2018 
   
● Task 4​: Growth mindset activities, diversity, and the Positivity Project will be implemented daily in  Sept 2020 - May 2021 
classrooms and evidence of implementation will be seen across school.  (on-going) 
1. Culture boards will be displayed around school 
2. Maps and flags of different countries 
3. Positivity Project language and pictures displayed on board near media center 
 
● Task 5:​ The Leadership Team, Family Partnership Committee, and Equity Team will host family 
and community nights to build cultural awareness and diversity. Examples; Family Culture Night, 
Family Fun Night, Family Academy, Academic Night,  
 

Implementation of Cultural Elements in Year Two  Timeline 

Demography & Community History Goal   

All stakeholders will become familiar with the demography and history of Truth.   
   
● Task 1:​ The administrative staff and the art teacher will create a history wall that will display and  July 2019 - ongoing 
promote the history, demography, and accomplishments of Truth Elementary.   
   
● Task 2​: Classroom teachers will use the history wall to teach students and parents about the  Aug. 2020 - May 2021 
history and demographics of the school.  (on-going) 
  

   
 Plan for Establishing a School Culture for Truth Elementary School 
By Gladys Washington  
Empowerment Goal   
Teachers and students at Truth will be active participants in the school’s democratic processes.   
  Sept. 2020 - May 2021 
● Task 1:​ Teachers, students, and parents will participate in voting and decision making processes.   
Parent and student representatives will be a part of the Leadership Team.   
  Aug. 2020 - June 2021 
● Task 2:​: Classroom teachers and/or teacher leaders will receive curriculum training, leadership   
training, technology, and MTSS training to improve teaching practices and build capacity.   
  Sept. 2020 - June 2021 
● Task 3:​ Students will participate in Safety Patrol, Student Leadership, and Positive Behavior 
Committee to build empowerment, share their voices, and develop leadership skills. 

Performance Focused Rewards Goal   

Teachers, staff members, and students will be awarded for their professional, academic, motivational   
accomplishments.   
   
● Task 1:​ Classes will win the “Board” Award for having the most creative and interesting, content  Sept. 2020 - May 2021 
display board.   
   
● Task 2:​ Students will be recognized at the end of each quarter for demonstrating academic,  Oct. 2020 - June 2021 
social, and behavioral growth. Students will earn a certificate and have lunch with the principal.   
Each student’s picture will be showcased on the “School News” display board by the media   
center.  Aug. 2020 - June 2021 
   
● Task 3​: Students will earn “Marvelous Manners” tickets for modeling positive behavior   
expectations. After earning 10, students may trade them in for a “Book Buck” or a “Truth” pencil.  Sept. 2020 - June 2021 
 
● Task 4: ​Every month, 2 staff members will be honored with the “Rock Star” award for 
demonstrating hard work, positivity, and a commitment to making the lives of others better. 
These staff members will earn a certificate, a restaurant gift card, and reserved parking for a 
month. 

Conflict Resolution Goal   

Staff members and students will use restorative practices and character building to resolve conflict and   
model appropriate behavior.   
   
● Task 1​: All staff members will attend restorative justice training and learn restorative discipline  Aug. 2020 - Oct. 2020 
practices to help resolve conflict.   
 Plan for Establishing a School Culture for Truth Elementary School 
By Gladys Washington  
   
● Task 2: ​All staff members will participate in “staff” and “student” restorative circles to build trust,  Aug. 2020 - May 2021 
acknowledge differences, and restore relationships.  (on-going) 
   
● Task 3: ​All classes will use the Positivity Project, restorative practices, and reflection activities to  Aug. 2020 - June 2021 
resolve conflict and build relationships.   (on-going) 
   
● Task 4​: Students will be given their “due process” and parents will be notified immediately when  Aug. 2020 - June 2021 
a major discipline has occurred.  (on-going) 
   
● Task 5​: Parents will be invited to attend a parent meeting and/a restorative circle to discuss  Aug. 2020 - June 2021 
alternatives to suspension.  (on-going)