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Palmetto will aim to build a climate and culture where staff love their job and students thrive in school by focusing on educator morale, academic achievement, and character development. We will utilize the Jostens Renaissance Formula to build climate and culture. This is less of a program and more of a collective mindset. Together, we will work to identify the values we RESPECT, RECOGNIZE and REWARD actions we want to see, REINFORCE our values through traditions and words, and look for ways to create strong RELATIONSHIPS. All this drives our RESULTS. We will focus on the process to achieve our desired results.

RESPECT- Palmetto will show respect to what we regard as important—academic performance, character development, and recognition and appreciation to the staff and faculty (staffulty) dedicated to helping our students succeed.

RECOGNIZE- At Palmetto, we will create an energized culture of recognition that runs broad and deep. It’s a culture that is purposeful in identifying achievements of all students and community partners and thoughtfulness in recognizing them. Our school culture is focused on catching students (and educators) doing something awesome and recognizing them for it.

REWARD- We will reward students for actions and achievements that align with what our school respects. We will show appreciation to the efforts of students and staff, to reinforce the behaviors that are valued and respected at Palmetto, and to provide motivation for more achievements. By implementing a system of rewards, we will illustrate the benefits of hard work.

REINFORCE- The message of academic performance, character development, and staffulty being most important will be recognized with all stakeholders all year long. We will consistently work towards a physical appearance of our school that promotes visual reminders of students’ goals and an everyday culture of respect and recognition to reinforce our values.

RELATIONSHIPS- Relationships are the foundation for all the work that takes place at Palmetto, especially culture work. Relationships can be started and strengthened in small ways, with intentional conversations and easy meet-and-greet activities, or in big ways, like recognition rallies, events, and teacher/staffulty appreciation traditions.

RESULTS- When students and educators build relationships by working together to respect student character, academic excellence and staffulty, and when we recognize, reward and reinforce achievements in these areas in fun and meaningful ways, that leads to results. Grades go up. Tardiness goes down. Relationships are built and morale is heightened, creating a climate and culture where everyone feels and knows that they matter.

At Palmetto, we will create an environment that promotes inclusivity, respect, and a sense of belonging for all students. Below are some, but not limited to, some key areas of emphasis:

• Community Building: Prioritizing community building activities helps establish positive relationships and connections among students, staff, and families. This can include events, celebrations, team-building exercises, mentorships, and collaborative projects that encourage a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
• Communication and Collaboration: Open and effective communication channels between all members of the school community are essential. Encouraging regular and transparent communication fosters trust, encourages collaboration, and ensures that everyone feels valued and heard. This can involve regular updates, parent-teacher conferences, staff meetings, and opportunities for feedback and input.
• Positive Behavior Support: Focusing on teaching appropriate behavior rather than enforcing consequences is essential. By promoting positive behavior expectations, recognizing and reinforcing the behaviors, students learn self-regulation and responsible decision-making in a supportive and nurturing environment.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Recognizing and respecting the diversity of our school community is crucial. A focus on cultural responsiveness ensures that the curriculum, teaching practices, and school policies reflect and honor the backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of all students. This includes celebrating various cultures, incorporating diverse literature and resources, being aware of holidays that are or are not celebrated, and providing support for English language learners.
• Student Voice and Leadership: Empowering students to have a voice in decision-making processes and offering leadership opportunities promotes a sense of ownership and investment in the school community. Student-led initiatives, student councils, and opportunities for student input in school policies and activities will help create a positive climate and culture.

By placing an emphasis on these areas, Palmetto will cultivate a climate and culture that supports the well-being, engagement, and academic success of all students, while also fostering a positive and collaborative work environment for staff.