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!