Making a Cohesive School Environment

Probably the most important factor in a school management system is the staff that will be expected to implement it. If the teachers do not come together as a cohesive unit~ agreeing with the philosophy or executing the rules and consequences~ then the system will fall apart. Students will begin to realize which teachers will follow the letter of the law~ as well as which will turn the other cheek. Consistency is key in any K-12 educational setting~ but most importantly in illustrating behavior expectations.

Parent-buy in should also be considered. When students come home and explain what happened at school that day~ parents should not be shocked when they here of the rewards or consequences. As a matter of fact~ those specifics should be documented~ sent home~ and returned with a parent signature acknowledging viewing them. Only after doing so~ should the staff begin the process of the school management system.

Appropriate student interaction must be addressed early in the school year~ beginning perhaps before students even enter the building. Staff should be trained in effective and appropriate student communication. Yelling or sarcasm in conversations with students should never be allowed. Not only are they an inappropriate use of authority~ but they are also not effective. Usually the students that are being yelled at in school also hear it on a regular basis at home~ so they are pretty good at tuning it out. Check into positive behavior systems. By trying a school management system that is clear and fair for the students~ you may find a completely different student attitude about school in general.

Lastly~ if the administrator does not back up teachers and students in dealing with the behavior management systems~ it will be difficult~ if not impossible~ to maintain its success. Teachers need to know that the principal will not ignore the system rules when confronted by certain parents. His undermines the teacher authority and word spreads quickly through the community. When this happens~ it makes the school management system null and void. When parents and students know how to get out of the consequences or expected behavior~ the concept will fail.

By making sure that staff~ parents~ and students are all working together~ it creates a sense of teamwork~ which in turn supports all involved when stumbling blocks appear. Make your school management system work for~ not against~ you!

Charity Preston - The Organized Classroom