Our discussion will follow a Q1/A1 format. Please use the Q1, Q2, etc. label in your responses - and don't forget the #AoBedchat hashtag! See the graphic for tonight's questions!
School climate refers to the school's effects on students, including teaching practices; diversity, etc. School culture refers to the way teachers and other staff members work together and the set of beliefs, values, and assumptions they share. #aobedchat@StAugustineElem
At Cathedral climate is the “temperature” of the school. What is happening at the school in the here and now for the most part. Culture gets into mission, vision and why we do things. #AoBEdChat
A1: School climate is the "feel" of the school :-) When our teaching, instruction, family engagement, student engagement, etc. is in a positive place, learning can be at it's best!! #Aobedchat
A1: #schoolculture & #schoolclimate are defined by how the community feels or describes how they perceive it to be & we have to work to make sure that's positive #Aobedchat
School climate refers to the school's effects on students, including teaching practices; diversity, etc. School culture refers to the way teachers and other staff members work together and the set of beliefs, values, and assumptions they share. #aobedchat@StAugustineElem
Q1: At SAS we work hard to establish a culture of kindness and joy! It has to start with the staff, and can then spread to students and parents #Aobedchat@StAugustineElem
Q2- We use surveys of all stakeholders. Also open-door policy with equally open minded admin help. When Admins take risks, T's take risks, T takes risk, S's take risk. #AoBEdChat
A2: You have make the outreach to the entire community, faculty, students & parents. While there are multiple ways to do that, to me having an open door policy is best
You'd better be willing to listen & act on what you're being told #Aobedchat
A2: We keep data on our three I’s. Inclusion, Integrity, Initiative each week. Students receive “blue tickets” which get returned to the office for a chance in a drawing. #Aobedchat#PBIS
A2- Focus groups are a great way to collect data on school culture. The format allows for a more flexible dialogue compared to a static instrument, like surveys. Downside- time consuming to admin and analyze #aobedchat
Courtney, Pre-K 4 teacher at St. Agnes Catholic School in Catonsville...this is also my first tweet ever! Thanks for introducing me to Twitter #Aobedchat
#Aobedchat Q2. And in the classroom, I have my Ss write me friendly letters 2x/mo where they share what's going well with their learning, our culture, and what they're struggling with
A3- Be willing to help others. Lay off the judgement. Modeling positive aspects of dealing with frustration is key. S's are always watching. #AoBEdChat
Q3 I think as teachers we need to feel comfortable to talk with our administrators about any issues as well as being felt supported and backed by admin #Aobedchat
#Aobedchat Q3. Making time and space for conversation and collaboration to happen on a consistent, regular basis, and sticking to it--in school and classroom!
A3: School leaders must lead by example. If we want a positive climate & culture we have to offer positivity to everyone.
Focus on the good in our schools & share that goodness w/all #Aobedchat
A3: All stakeholders are responsible for creating a positive culture. We are blessed to serve everyone we encounter, not only in the classroom, but in the halls, office, etc. Customer Service should be our top priority! @ArchbaltSchools@staugustineelem @JimSellinger#aobedchat
A3: Be a bucket filler! Write one celebratory note to someone every morning: student, colleague, parent, etc. Share words of affirmation daily #Aobedchat
Keep focus on serving our students and if that motivates every decision we make, our goals will always be positive. It's when we stray from that focus that negativity seeps in! #AoBedchat
Q3 #AOBEDCHAT When we train our eyes to see the good, it changes a school culture and this equates to better learning environments. #ShareTheGood is our school motto and it is what Christ calls us to be...His light in the world
One thing to keep in mind is that we as administrators are not right 100% of the time, just 95% lol. When we are admit it get help from others to make it right. This goes a long way. #Aobedchat
Keep focus on serving our students and if that motivates every decision we make, our goals will always be positive. It's when we stray from that focus that negativity seeps in! #AoBedchat
A4: Invite parents’ opinions on programs/texts. Invite them to sit in the classroom and see what you’re doing everyday. Ask them to share the good they see first-hand. #AoBEdChat
Such a fun idea!! Our 4th Grade teachers @mdrurySAS knocked a book tasting out of the park with her class last year! This would be a fun treat for teachers too :-) #aobedchat
Open mind. Always have an open mind. There are many ways of doing something the right way. Others are not wrong if their opinions or vision sare different from our own. #AoBEdChat
We have an ATP (admin teachers and parents)committee which is open to the whole school community and meets once a month to discuss school concerns or improvements. Very relaxed format and informal with principal and assistant right there #Aobedchat
Love this Book Tasting idea. I enjoy reading books that help me grow professionally, but enjoy them more when I can discuss them with colleagues. #AoBedchat
A4: Schools cannot ever forget parents are our partners in their child's education. Offer realistic opportunities for parental involvement, their input can be a great value to building that positive climate & culture. Everyone wants to know they're being heard #Aobedchat
Q4: Our parents are eager to work together to help plan fun activities for the whole school community :-) They do a great job with the Halloween Bingo, Dinner w/Santa, Muffins with Mom & Donuts with Dad, etc. #Aobedchat
Reach out to them, if you ask for help they will help. More importantly get to know them before you need them, be visible, be active, lend a hand when they need help or a prayer. #Aobedchat
A4~ encourage open-ended opportunities to participate through sharing family culture, reading to a class of eager students, and volunteering for lunch duty #aobedchat
#AoBEdChat A4:Doreen from RI jumping in late. I work w/ families that won’t be paid if they miss work. Not everyone can do this, but I can offer to meet after church, or before school. Also - all my parents have my phone number. In 25 yrs I’ve had only one inappropriate call.
Q3: By promoting positive interactions with students and families daily and having open and consistent communication between teachers and parents/guardians. #Aobedchat
A5: Create a culture in Catholic schools where we can share the good without feeling like we're competing with eachother...easier said than done. #AoBedchat
Social media is a quick and FREE way to get the word out about all the good going on in our schools! Ts using Twitter to keep parents informed about what is going on in school. Parents love that! #Aobedchat
@StAugustineElem with my team and we are preparing for the @AoBEdChat tonight at 7PM on School Culture! We are live streaming on the St. Augustine School Events Youtube channel https://t.co/lUbBrEKfU3 and the AOB edChat ~All are welcome to join the conversation!
A5 Go beyond social media and talk person-to-person about how great school is... to people you see at church, in your neighborhood, at the hair salon. Let your love for your school be visible on your face. #Aobedchat
A5- Social Media is key, So is communication with parents: example- emailing photos of their kids, not just posting, particularly if they aren't that social or have time to check it during the day. #AoBEdChat
Social media is a great tool to share all the happenings in the classroom and around the school. I love to give families a quick peek into our day via Twitter as my Kinders are being their amazing selves :-) It's too quick and easy not to share :-) #Aobedchat
#AoBEdChat A5
Twitter is great, of course. We do a walk through our neighborhood to raise money & also be visible. Faculty members have won awards and gotten good press.Our principal goes to neighborhood meetings and tries to do small things to show we are a good neighbor.
Q5 Our AP is awesome at using Facebook live for an event or something happening... can watch live or later... so great for parents who work and cannot always be at special events #Aobedchat
Hello to #AoBedchat tonight!! #SharetheGood#tlap It’s not just “okay” to share your amazing work...if it will help others, you have a moral imperative to share it! (And to get good at sharing it) #AmplifyYourImpact
A5-At SAS we #SharetheGood daily on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Teachers take time to share lessons and photos of the children working hard. Parents love to see "inside" the classroom #AoBEdChat
I love that our team is so willing to try new things like Twitter, EdChats, etc. Our principal constantly promotes our collaboration and encourages us to reach out to others and to involve the students, families, and community in everything we do! #aobedchat@StAugustineElem
A5 - It's never been easier to #sharethegood about our schools. Harness social media to bring the best of what we do directly to our parents. Let them see the mission in action! #Aobedchat
A5: We're using the best & easiest way to #sharethegood Social media reaches parents, alumni & the community at large & if used properly it can be highly effective!
@SMGHS has seen our "reach" to constituents grow exponentially #Aobedchat
Love this John! @mtcathschools was just tweeting on this...we are utilizing current best practices in our schools and we need to share it!
#ShareTheGood#AoBEdchat
Hello to #AoBedchat tonight!! #SharetheGood#tlap It’s not just “okay” to share your amazing work...if it will help others, you have a moral imperative to share it! (And to get good at sharing it) #AmplifyYourImpact
A6 - Don't forget to "follow" the great educators who inspired your learning this evening! Making connections for your ongoing PLN is what it's all about! #Aobedchat
A5(pt 2): All of us in the @ArchbaltSchools must be willing to #sharethegood
We must be telling our stories & the positive impact our students have on our communities. We are developing future leaders & disciples #Aobedchat
#AoBEdChat A5. Catholic Schools are also such wonderful communities for children who have had a loss, who have been ill, or who have had difficulties in life. Confidentiality can make details difficult to share, but mentioning this in general is important.
#AoBEdChat A6: Just this week I asked to speak at our faculty meeting. I had stats, anecdotes, and work samples to show wonderful work my colleagues had done with some of our students. It was just a way to say thank you. They loved it!
A6: I will continue to have a #growthmindset and learn using opportunities like this #aobedchat. Learning from peers and educators across Twitter has helped me to incorporate many different ideas. Thankful for all of your input and feedback! @ArchbaltSchools@StAugustineElem
A6: Feel fortunate to have learned so many new examples on how to engage families & colleagues to strengthen a positive climate & culture. Key is to include everyone, listen to their ideas & make sure everyone knows they bring value to your school community #Aobedchat
#AoBEdChat A5. Catholic Schools are also such wonderful communities for children who have had a loss, who have been ill, or who have had difficulties in life. Confidentiality can make details difficult to share, but mentioning this in general is important.
A6: Stay positive! Share more in person about our great school. Invite parents to participate in MS activities. (They often feel left out once the Ss head into MS) #Aobedchat
Q6: Keep working to push out the good that's happening in our school and parish community! Keep celebrating the successes of our students! We have lots of good news and joy to share! :-) #Aobedchat
Before we conclude tonight @AoBEdChat I just want to thank everyone for joining the conversation. Insights, tweets&resources shared are so valued. Let's keep the dialogue going. Nextt #AoBEdchat is March 12th. Stay tuned for more information. Thank you to my @StAugustineElem team
