School Culture & Climate
School climate refers to the quality and character of school life. It is based on patterns of school life experiences and reflects norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching, learning and leadership practices, and organizational structures. Examples of school climate include:students feeling safe from physical harm, verbal abuse, gossip, and exclusion; quality of support for learning; quality of relationships; the school's facilities, classrooms, health supports, and disciplinary policies; ability to recognize and value the differences between people that involves acknowledging that people are unique and have dignity (inherent worth); environment where all members of the school community feel respected, valued, and included regardless of their cultural background, identity, or beliefs, and fostering a sense of belonging.
Research suggests that diversity is an inherent part of both culture and climate, as it refers to the presence of different perspectives, backgrounds, and characteristics within a group, which directly influences the norms, values, and overall atmosphere of the school community; essentially, a diverse culture or climate signifies a variety of elements contributing to its overall makeup.
While it's tempting to view our schools as domains where personal identities should not matter, the reality is that we perceive and interact with each other through these varied identities. And this truth can have an impact on the culture and climate of the school and the district.
At Tempe Union High School District, we strive to include everyone in our Culture and Climate approach, thus recognizing the diverse experiences and avoiding alienation. Fostering a beneficial culture and climate plays a crucial role in creating relationships by shaping our expectations, communication styles, values, and overall perception of how to interact with others, essentially providing the foundation for building trust, understanding, and connection within the school and district environment. By working together, we have the capacity to realize a positive cultural climate that fosters openness, collaboration, integrity, innovation, dignity, and mutual respect.
You can find resources on the TUHSD website that are intended to inform and empower your individual and collective role in establishing a conducive culture and climate.