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The CPCE Approach
School Climate and Culture
School climate involves the way that the school
does business, including behavioral expectations and how they are
applied, rewards and punishments, school appearance, and even how
the people at school interact with each other. All of the areas
falling under the school climate and culture transmit messages about
character. For example, if staff teaches about being respectful
but speak rudely to other adults, students will often learn more
from the negative actions than the positive message. Because of
this, negative school culture can undermined even the best character
lessons from the classroom. Free to Learn encourages schools to
carefully consider how they can address their school climate to
ensure the success of character education and help students have
a positive school experience.
Positive
Behavior Recognition Cards
Character
Street Names
SAMPLES FROM FREE TO LEARN SCHOOLS
Sample
Code of Conduct
Sample
Student Professional Standards
Sample
First in Line Passes
Sample
Discipline Forms
Sample
Free Recess Pass
Tips from the Pilot Phase (1995-2000)
Character education can influence the entire culture
and climate of a school. Attitudes displayed by the staff and students
along with the appearance and atmosphere of their school set the
tone for how others will respond. Clean hallways and classrooms,
respectful behavior toward one another, and examples of fair play
will result in a positive school environment. The more positive
the environment is, the more conducive it is to learning.
Schools have instituted a variety of activities and programs to
improve school climate. One established a school bulletin board
in the main hall where the names of students displaying good character
can be posted. Students and staff have planted flowers, cleaned
up trash, and hung character banners. One school has all the adults
on campus wearing name badges so students know who the responsible
adults are. Other schools have established assemblies where students
perform character cheers, participate in skits demonstrating good
character, and sing songs.
Some ideas for integrating Character Education into the school
climate:
• Schools have named hallways for character traits, such as
"Caring Lane" and "Responsibility Road" and
have posted street signs in the hallways.
• Character Buddies (wooden cutouts of cartoon characters)
stand in the hallways, reminding students of the character words
and holding quotations and samples of student work on character
education.
• Each class chooses a trait they would like to celebrate
and represent in the Character Education Parade. Each class then
makes costumes, signs, banners, music and often a small performance.
District and community leaders, parents and the media are invited
to share in the festivities.
• Large, colorful floor mats displaying the school mascot
and character messages are at every main school entrance.
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