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Name: Necla Kucuk

Date of Submission: October 6, 2021

Course: EAD-513-0500

Topic of Assignment: Cultural Functions in Practice

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Cultural Functions in Practice

The school’s mission and vision statements.

iLearn Schools mission is to nurture students intellectually, collectively,

psychologically, and socially for the future to have good livelihoods. iLearn Schools

believes that assisting growth in students is a continuing enhancement, but teaching

students content and social interactions will positively impact the world.

iLearn Schools' vision is to support students in becoming pioneering and practical

people who show curiosity and interest in learning. iLearn Schools hopes to construct

students to become successful. iLearn Schools' vision is to appreciate our student's

curiosity and intelligence for better futures that positivity is recognized.

-Bronx Arts and Science Charter School administrators make sure all national holidays that
the school community represents are celebrated. (PSEL Standard 5)

-  Bronx Arts and Science Charter School administrator has a tradition where every year
during Thanksgiving time to distribute Turkey and food supplies to all of their families in
need. (PSEL Standard 5)

- Bronx Arts and Science Charter School administrator has an open-door policy for all staff
and students at any time during the day. (PSEL Standard 6)

Examples of 3-4 staff functions or activities that promote the intended school culture,
identifying a PSEL standard that aligns to each.

Staff send weekly newsletters informing parents about activities and projects that promote
parent-teacher connection. (PSEL Standard 5)

All Bronx ASCS uses ClassDojo to send daily messages, pictures, and motivational videos
to parents to involve them in their child's educational progress. (PSEL Standard 2)
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-All staff of Bronx ASCS include the cultures, traditions and values of the school
community into their lessons and instruction. (PSEL Standard 3)

A minimum of 3-4 examples of student functions or activities that promote the intended
school culture, identifying a PSEL standard that aligns to each.

-Bronx ASCS Robotics Club is working hard to prepare for FLL Robotics this year. (PSEL
Standard 1)

-Bronx ASCS Junior Sports Club is getting ready for the new season. (PSEL Standard 3)

-Bronx ASCS Garden Club had a successful production of vegetables and making a plan
for next year gardening. (PSEL Standard 2)

-Bronx ASCS Beavers Readers Club started the year and had a goal to read at least five
books weekly and discuss them during their club time. (PSEL Standard 3)

Provide 1-2 examples of behaviors, functions, or activities that occur regularly that go
against the intended school culture. (If you find no examples of this at your school, you
may write “Not Applicable” in this space.)

-Tiktok social media challenge of destroying the school bathrooms and buildings showed a
small effect in our school; we found drawings on bathroom doors and tissue papers on the
floor. (PSEL Standard 5)

-Some of our students with emotional disorders created conflict during recess and were
suspended from school. (PSEL Standard 5)

Rational

What is working well

Positive school culture and climate reflect harmony among the school community with

the effective leader influence. So it is the principal leadership style that brings the staff,

students and families together under one umbrella, which allows students to flourish and

encounter academic success. According to my observation, Bronx Arts and Science Charter

School has a strong relationship with their school community, which helps me understand

my mentor principal leadership style. The school provides and creates many opportunities
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for parents to be involved with their child's educational growth throughout the year. For

example, many fundraising events support families in need or who become vulnerable after

unexpected tragedies.

Moreover, the school organizes many events and celebrations throughout the year, such

as Grand Parents nights, Hispanic Heritage Festival, Thanksgiving Dinner, Turkey Give-

Away, to name a few. The principal always emphasizes recognizing all students cultural

and traditional celebrations among staff and students within the classroom, so the students

learn about each other and better understand their differences.

According to Spicer, the value of leadership makes a substantial difference to school

culture and climate and student academic outcomes, which needs skilled, dedicated, and

remarkably efficient principals, but it is very challenging to keep up with the rapid

changing world (Spicer, 2016). Therefore, schools need leaders who can balance all the

factors while being sensitive about their school climate and culture to maximize academic

outcomes. Bronx Arts and Science Charter School has a warm, welcoming, and caring

school culture and climate that focuses on staff and students' emotional well-being and

educational success.

What is not working well

According to my observation in school, the attendance rate is exceptionally high after

two years of a pandemic, but unfortunately, some of the student's population, especially

kindergarten and IEP students, struggle to adjust themselves to classroom rules and

procedures. After all, everyone is affected by the pandemic, but I think children have the

worst scar. Therefore some classrooms are suffering due to students misbehaving and

distraction.
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Changes or improvements you would recommend

In order to overcome these challenges and help students pass through this challenging

time, students should receive extra counsellors from school social workers, school

psychologists, special education staff, teachers and administrators. Most of the students who

show behavioral issues have symptoms of depression and anxiety, so all staff in the building

should be trained to assist these students from their responsibilities perspective. Students

must feel welcome, safe and cared for. I have observed that some staff members are

frustrated due to students misbehaving, so they can be trained or guided to have

conversations with students or spend some one-to-one teaching time depending on their

schedule.

Professional Standards for Educational Leadership points on the needs of adjusting

school mission and vision to changing expectations and needs of students (NPBEA, 20215).

Sometimes just asking how they are doing or feel will help students feel more welcome or

understood. We have to be mindful of their social and emotional needs and provide targeted

support to improve their academic progress. Moreover, so many students went through

trauma, they lost their loved ones, grandparents, family business/jobs, or sometimes house,

so these children have been through a lot and need to learn how to overcome these challenges

and be good people. Then we can also provide meaningful positive incentives for students

who follow the rules and procedures to motivate the rest to support positive school culture.

Reference:

Spicer, F. V. (2016). School culture, school climate, and the role of the principal.
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National Policy Board for Educational Administration (2015). Professional Standards for
Educational Leaders [White paper]. National Policy Board for Educational
Administration. https://www.npbea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Professional-Standards-
for-Educational-Leaders_2015.pdf