1. Old Saybrook Public Schools
Kathleen E. Goodwin
Climate Plan
November 8, 2016

2. Goals / Rationale:
Climate survey results yielded three focus areas and several areas that require continued monitoring.
Focus Areas:
Students have the tools to respond in the moment when they feel they are being teased.
Students have the tools to respond in the moment when they feel left out.
Implementation of a Pride Card Program where students will be recognized by teachers for including others.
Continued Monitoring:
Recess Buddy Bench Program
Bus seating and behavior expectations
Spirit Days
Staff input on decision making

3. Connections to the Strategic Plan:
Proactive and flexible plans that respond to changing demographics including
• declining enrollment,
• increasing numbers of students who speak English as a second language
• increasing social and emotional needs of students
• Increasing expense of education in a setting where the number of households with school-age children is declining

4. Connection to Building Goals:
Ensure that students are engaged in personalized learning.

5. Statistics/Data: Student Survey Data:
Have you ever been left out of a school activity? (K&1 No Yes 35)
(2&3 No Yes 93)
Someone said, ”You can’t play with me,” at recess. (K&1 38) (2&3 90)
Someone said, ”You can’t sit with me,” at lunch. (K&1 30) (2&3 51)
Someone said, ”You can’t sit with me,” on the bus. (K&1 35) (2&3 73)
Someone said, ”You can’t work with me,” at centers or during classroom activities. (K&1 20) (2&3 34)
How often do you feel left out? (K&1 Never A little A lot 22)
(2&3 Never /year /month 19
1/week /day >1/day 6)

6. Challenges: Only 48 parents completed the climate survey
Two years in a row our data indicates that students are feeling left out
Monitoring bus behavior continues to be a challenge
Students rely on adults to solve problems
Students don’t have the tools to respond in the moment when feeling left out or being teased

7. Successes:
Parents:
My child feels generally safe at school: 48/49 agree or strongly agree
My child knows the school rules: 49/49 agree or strongly agree
I feel welcome at this school: 48/49 agree or strongly agree
Overall I rate this school as good or the best: 49/49
Staff:
My school is prepared for an emergency: 39/39 agree or strongly agree
Parents are involved in activities at this school: 39/39 agree or strongly agree
Staff has input into decision making: 38/39 agree or strongly agree
Students are proud of this school: 39/39

8. Next Steps: Train staff and students – Buddy Bench Program
Implement “in the moment” strategies.
Implement Pride Card Program