School Climate

School Climate

Brooke Teegarden

            The climate of my elementary school was cheerful, nurturing, and family-like. I was in a school girl scout troop with my closest friends. We had plenty of art and music opportunities. Our principal got to know the students individually. I remember him sitting by my sister and I at lunch at talking to us. We had game days, fake elections, talent shows and plays. Students who were ahead in math got to move ahead to middle school math. The school tried to include something to interest all students.

            The teachers had rules and we respectfully followed them. I can remember only one instance of being reprimanded in elementary school. This was when I ran too far away from the playground during recess. I’m sure there were instances with classmates not following the rules, but overall, we respected out teachers.

            In fifth grade, Red Smith opened and I switched to there. My middle school climate was much the same as my elementary. It was cheerful, nurturing, and family-like. However, at the middle level we did not want the school to be as nurturing as an elementary school. Since Red Smith is K-8 we didn’t have as much freedom to grow up as our classmates at Edison. The climate at Red Smith was protected. All students were allowed to participate in sports teams or musical activities. Try-outs were not allowed in case a student would get hurt.

            We resented being treated the same way as elementary school students. This resentment made the middle school climate at Red Smith slightly conflicting between the students and staff. I think part of this conflict is that my classmates and I were spoiled. We were used to getting our own ways. Coming from Red Smith, I think I can say that.

            The climate at my high school, Preble, was much more open and diverse. This was the first time I ever had more than a few students from another race in my classes. I was not racist, I was simply clueless. The diverse culture at Preble was very beneficial to me. Preble embraced the diversity with things like a unity fair.

            Preble was strict, but only when it needed to be. In general it gave my classmates and I the ability to do as we pleased. They have a culinary arts program, a fantastic music program, a huge tech ed. room, sports, two gyms and a great writing program.

            The  teachers and staff at all of my schools did the best they could to make an appropriate climate for the students.