On August 15 and 16, in partnership with RIDE, we welcomed teams from schools across Rhode Island to the launch of the School Climate Transformation Network (SCT) at CLEE Headquarters.
The shared network aim of SCT is to increase high and equitable academic and wellbeing outcomes by developing a transformative culture through strong social emotional learning and mental health strategies.
9 schools were selected from a competitive RFP process, and joining them is also a team from RIDE. Together, teams develop the skills, dispositions, and knowledge to strengthen a receptive culture for learning; learn and engage in continuous cycles of improvement toward the shared network aim; and accelerate their learning with each other in a networked improvement community. As we assert in the CLEE Equity statement, “working together we can do better than the best one of us alone on their best day.”
Each school team includes a district administrator, building administrator, educators, and students ranging from grades 4 through 12. Among the highlights of the SCT Network Launch were the following:
A World Cafe experience that leveraged the expertise of the room in beginning to articulate what school climate is. Key themes included: positive relationships between educators and students and students and students; a safe school environment for all; student and staff engagement and involvement; FUN; and clear communication.
A student roundtable discussion during which students shared their expertise on what contributes to a positive school climate and what they would like the adults in their school communities to know about their experiences with academics and school climate.
A keynote address by Krista Goldstine-Cole entitled “Fostering a Healthy Climate for All Students, Even Those Whose Dangers We Do Not Know.” Krista is a pioneer in ACE education and ACE-related public policy, with expertise in system-level impacts of childhood adversity and is currently earning her doctorate in human development at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Krista’s research is centered on the protective role of school connectedness in psychopathology following child maltreatment and peer victimization. We were lucky enough to have Krista join us for both days of the SCT Network Launch and look forward to continuing to think through and implement all that she shared with the network.
The SCT Network Launch generated so much positive energy and we are eager to continue to share our work as it develops. Stay tuned for more!