Building Student Relationships

Last year we ended the school year with only half the students attending in person every other day. This marked over a year since students were in our building all day every day. On August 31st all students returned to the building for a full seven period day. Just like many other schools around the world it's been a struggle for students (and teachers). These struggles range from being on schedules, breaking bad habits and routines, and just showing up.

During in-service week our leadership team talked about how we could ensure positive connections and build relationships with the students. Building off something that the staff had done previously, a multi layer plan emerged. 

It started with a simple four question survey that all students took during our advisory time. One of the questions asked them if they had a connection with any adult in the building, 26% of the students that took the survey said they did not. This data was shared with the staff, but not the names at this point. During our last staff meeting our graduation coach and counselors filled our cafeteria with student profile print offs. Every staff member (including teachers, IA's, custodial, administration and office staff) was given stickers with their own names on them. For about ten minutes the staff walked around the cafeteria and identified at least 10 students that they felt they had a positive relationship with, and place their name sticker on that profile sheet.

Moving forward our graduation coach will compile the data and cross reference it with the student survey results. Throughout the year our counseling team will meet with students to discuss attendance, behavior, and their graduation path. During these discussions they will continue to make sure that each student has a connection with a caring adult. The graduation coach will also let the staff know which students feel they don't have a connection with an adult in the building. Using the information staff will reach out to these students and continue to build stronger relationships with their previously identified students.  

After second semester the staff will complete the profile/sticker activity again comparing data from the beginning of the year. Our goal is to make sure every student in our building has a connection with a caring adult. 

How does your school make sure every student is connected?

How do you build positive student relationships? 

Let us know!

Amy's Office Makeover

There are few things I love more than a room makeover! So, when my principal called last spring to let me know that I would be moving from a classroom to an office, I immediately got excited. I love making spaces comfortable and inviting, but as a teacher, it's definitely on a budget! Most of what you see here has been repurposed, or let’s be honest, bought at Target, Amazon, or Hobby Lobby. First, I chose a color scheme based on some existing pieces from a former office of mine. While I really wanted to chunk everything and buy new, I also didn't want to spend a fortune. (You’re welcome, hubby!) Ultimately, I went with black and white, with touches of gold and greenery. I couldn't be happier about how it turned out! 

   

I began by laying down the rug from my old room, and added from there. The rug is a favorite of mine, and is an old Target purchase. It’s not in stock anymore, but here are a few similar options from Bed Bath and Beyond, Amazon and Lowe's. Next, I added a small cubby shelf for storage, a bookshelf to store professional books, and a desk. I put some new photos in some old Hobby Lobby frames and mounted them with command strips. I found the perfect black and white curtains for the window at Target that really dressed up the space. I hung up some cute wall art from Hobby Lobby above my cubby shelves, and added gold lamp from Walmart.

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE greenery. At least, I love the look of the fake variety that I can’t possibly forget to water! I bought two sets of small plants from Amazon, and thought this was the perfect excuse to purchase a small fiddle leaf fig from QVC. I placed them around my office in some groupings with other items to add a little color. I tend to group things in threes as decorate. The “Rule of 3” works like this: Find 3 items and put them together into a grouping. Put the tallest item in the middle, and shorter ones staggered in front. Basically, just keep arranging until it looks visually appealing.

I’m so pleased with how inviting this small space turned out! I can’t wait to host teachers and parents in my new office as the school year continues!

~Amy