News from our Secondary Vice Principal, Derek Lea
Culture and climate are an integral part of a school’s identity and success. We have all had the experience of walking into a school and immediately feeling “Wow! This is a great place.” Of course facilities help with that initial impression, but usually, it is the feeling of the school – how welcoming and comfortable a person feels when they are in the facility.
Research definitively connects school culture with student performance as well. Schools that are rated high in their positive culture and climate outperform schools that struggle in this area. Students that enjoy coming to school, feel that their school is a safe, welcoming place, and that feel that they are truly cared for by their teachers, do better in their academics. It makes sense…if we feel safe and comfortable, we can focus on what needs to be done. We are in the best possible space to learn.
The challenge in creating a strong school culture and a positive school climate is that it can’t be created with one initiative or event. It doesn’t happen in an instant – it is created through consistent, persistent attention to detail and a focus on relationships and people. It is present in the big events and initiatives, but its foundation is in the small things that happen everyday – the attention to detail.
It stems from the genuine “Good morning” and “How are you?” It’s taking the time to go the extra mile – Mr. Moat has his mobile library in the central secondary hallway, but his time and effort to create his sign made it awesome…
Research definitively connects school culture with student performance as well. Schools that are rated high in their positive culture and climate outperform schools that struggle in this area. Students that enjoy coming to school, feel that their school is a safe, welcoming place, and that feel that they are truly cared for by their teachers, do better in their academics. It makes sense…if we feel safe and comfortable, we can focus on what needs to be done. We are in the best possible space to learn.
The challenge in creating a strong school culture and a positive school climate is that it can’t be created with one initiative or event. It doesn’t happen in an instant – it is created through consistent, persistent attention to detail and a focus on relationships and people. It is present in the big events and initiatives, but its foundation is in the small things that happen everyday – the attention to detail.
It stems from the genuine “Good morning” and “How are you?” It’s taking the time to go the extra mile – Mr. Moat has his mobile library in the central secondary hallway, but his time and effort to create his sign made it awesome…
It’s the time that Mr. Carlin puts in, outside of his class time, to create the Wildcat News each week (with anchors Liza Markov and Ethan Burger). It’s in the time our GAAPA and Booster Club parents put in everyday to support our teams and create events like Harvest Fest. It’s our CAS students and Key Club members working to make a difference in our greater community. It’s the time and energy our coaches and mentors put in to our athletics teams and clubs (and the anonymous students who don the Wildcat costume to cheer us on)…
It’s the teachers who give up their lunches to help students who want to do better. It’s our custodial and facilities staff who keep our building looking amazing – always with a smile. It’s Romeo greeting each person who enters the gate with a “Hello sir.” “Hello ma’am.” (even the littlest students who beam at being called ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’). It’s our teachers coming together to represent GAA in the Dragon Boat Races. It’s in the high-fives that students rush to give their favorite teacher in the morning. It’s in every “please” and “thank you” that we offer.
The foundation of our school’s culture and climate is built on our number 1 school priority – our ‘Culture of Kindness’. That’s why our school feels good. And it’s why our students are poised to reach their full academic potential.
Have a great weekend,
Derek Lea
The foundation of our school’s culture and climate is built on our number 1 school priority – our ‘Culture of Kindness’. That’s why our school feels good. And it’s why our students are poised to reach their full academic potential.
Have a great weekend,
Derek Lea