School Culture
The fact that we are a faith based school gives us unique opportunities to discuss and learn about moral and ethical issues with our students throughout our curriculum and day. Our religion curriculum at all levels is full of such opportunities. The students love to role play situations involving conflict and it is a great way to keep the lessons learned fresh in their memories. This is where we also discuss the evils and temptations of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use.
When conflicts do arise, we require the students who were involved to take responsibility for their actions and not blame others. When all the parties have settled down, they participate in a mini mediation session during which the students calmly take turns discussing what happened and why. After all parties have taken a turn discussing and listening, they attempt to come to some sort of consensus that all involved can accept.
We train students and adults alike about the program entitled Protecting God’s Children, which is about keeping children safe from sexual predators and kidnappers. We require criminal background checks on all staff and volunteers. We practice fire, tornado, intruder, etc., evacuations and lock downs in accordance with the law. We keep our hallways, bathrooms, lunchrooms, stairways, etc., free from debris and clutter. We installed a security camera at the front door and an entry system to deter unwanted guests.
The janitorial staff and the administration have been having on-going discussions concerning building safety, especially in light of the school shootings that have occurred over the last couple of months. Teachers and students have likewise been advised about certain safety precautions such as making sure the door shuts and locks behind you when you enter the building and not opening the door to strangers.
We celebrate our diversity during Black History Month with assignments and projects that culminate in a Black History Month program to which the community is invited. We also have a cultural fair in the spring where families bring different ethnic dishes and the recipes to share with one another. We also celebrate our students’ individual accomplishments. See Leadership and Educational Vitality for a complete listing of all the types of awards given out to our students.