SCHOOL CULTURE & JOSTENS RENAISSANCE®
HELPING TEACHERS AND STUDENTS LOVE MONDAYS
The Jostens Renaissance framework helps foster a positive culture where teachers love their jobs and students thrive in schools.
WHAT ARE SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE?
A hot topic in today’s schools is building culture and climate. But what does that mean anyways?
The terms “school culture” and “school climate” are often used together, but it’s important to distinguish between the two in order to get the full picture. School culture refers to the elements that make up the identity of a school, such as routines, norms, and traditions – “the way we do things here.” School climate refers to the way a school feels – the vibe, the attitude.
For example: part of American culture is Thanksgiving. Most families share in a tradition each year that comes with a set of relatively standard routines. That said, the climate can vary from family to family. In some families, the climate is formal, in others playful, and in some it can be toxic.
Climate (i.e. how a community feels) impacts participation in traditions, and culture (i.e. traditions and norms) impact how a place feels.
Similarly, both climate and culture are needed to make school a place where students and Staffulty* want to be. It’s a benevolent cycle; when everyone comes to count on regular occurrences of recognition and celebration, they feel good about putting effort into school, and they continue to do it. When everyone feels good about being part of the school community, they participate fully in the traditions and talk about how things are done, normalizing positivity and inclusion.
School Culture refers to the elements that make up the identity of a school, such as routines, norms, and traditions – “the way we do things here.”
School Climate refers to the way a school feels – the vibe, the attitude.
HOW DO CULTURE AND CLIMATE WORK TOGETHER?
Both elements are needed to make school a place where students and Staffulty™* want to be. When everyone can count on regular occurrences of recognition and celebration, they feel good about putting effort into school. When people feel like they belong, they participate in traditions – normalizing positivity and inclusion!
* Staffulty Definition: a mashup of the words Staff and Faculty. It is a term used by the Renaissance Education community to reinforce the idea that every adult associated with the school can impact the culture and climate.
HOW DOES JOSTENS RENAISSANCE IMPACT SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE?
Thousands of schools use Jostens Renaissance as part of their School Improvement Plan as they work to boost student engagement and teacher motivation.
The Results Formula™ works to build a strong school culture with a joyful, focused climate. Renaissance schools identify the values they RESPECT, then RECOGNIZE and REWARD the actions they want to see. Schools REINFORCE their values through traditions and communication while creating strong RELATIONSHIPS.
Jostens Renaissance offers resources, events and community that support the use of The Results Formula so schools can build a culture where teachers love their job and students thrive in school.
WHAT DOES A RENAISSANCE SCHOOL LOOK LIKE?
Greenbrier High School in Tennessee has been a Jostens Renaissance school for over a decade. Watch their students and Staffulty describe how Renaissance has contributed to positive, long-term results for their school culture and academic achievement.
RESOURCES FOR SUPPORTING SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE
JostensRenaissance.com offers a variety of resources that schools use contribute to an intentional, inspirational school culture and a positive, inclusive climate, including:
THE HARBOR
CULTIVATE MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS
This video series teaches character development through tangible life lessons, engaging content and guided discussions. Recommended culture-building episodes:
IDEA EXCHANGE
LEARNING, SHARING & GROWING TOGETHER
A collection of culture and climate-building ideas shared by schools across North America. Find ideas to boost student engagement and staff morale that schools use and love! Recommended culture-building ideas:
LEADERSHIP CURRICULUM
REAL-WORLD SKILLS FOR SCHOOL AND BEYOND
This engaging, project-based curriculum combines the study of leadership with the action of building a healthy culture and climate schoolwide. Recommended culture-building leadership lesson plans:
THE GREEN ROOM
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR ROCK STAR EDUCATORS
Designed to create dialogue and reflection amongst educators, these teacher or administrator-focused episodes come with helpful discussion guides and relevant resources. Recommended episodes:
WANT TO USE JOSTENS RENAISSANCE?
If you are a Jostens customer and you need a login to access all the resources on JostensRenaissance.com, email your rep or click here.
If you don’t currently partner with Jostens for yearbooks or graduation regalia or other celebratory products, you can learn more here.