On Monday, September 17, 2012 during the In-Service day for all teachers, a good component of the day was devoted to discussing the aspects of student and school culture at New Albany – Plain Local Schools. Everything we do is student focused. Our daily work is to benefit the well-being and support of each student. We know that our efforts alone are not enough and that the support of a positive student culture cannot be a “school issue only” – this is a community issue. We are on this journey together. One unified voice, one unified spirit.
All buildings, the Middle School, 2-5 and K-1 focused on the concept of school culture for their students – the focus at New Albany High School – teachers divided into four groups to actively engage on topics related to how as a school community, we are supporting students.
The four areas of focus included:
- Relationships – A discussion focused on how NAHS is working with students to best support positive relationships in the school building, during school activities and creating that climate to sustain workable goals for nurturing school relationships in the future. The desired goal is to challenge students to be supportive of one another.
- Mental Health and Student Support – Students have a variety of challenges that they are faced with on a daily basis; the focus of this discussion was on how our teaching staff can help identify and support students that may be having a rough time or need extra support for any reason. Talking to these students and providing guidance and resources to assist is the goal.
- Personal Integrity – Respect was the central theme for this group as it developed a robust discussion on the importance of personal integrity for our students. At the core of everything, whether it is how students interact with one another, perform academically or feel about who they are – the concept of respect and the importance of valuing it is a core concept that will continue to be explored.
- Alcohol and Drug Prevention – Identification of the problem and acknowledging when signs exist was a core concept discussed by this group. NAHS cannot provide the necessary support until we face the fact that the problems exist and we develop the necessary systems as a campus and community to help address it, provide resources and support.
This is only the beginning of a broader conversation. The work that began during the teacher in-service and the work that has been a focus of the school year thus far at NAPLS will be bigger than these sub-groups. They are the leading action groups to the development of a system to strengthen our school and community culture.
Join us as we re-invent education and re-invent our student culture at New Albany-Plain Local Schools.