1. Old Saybrook Public Schools
Old Saybrook High School
Climate Plan
November 8, 2016

2. Goals / Rationale:
Climate survey results yielded three main areas on which the committee is choosing to focus throughout this school year:
Focus Areas:
Drugs and alcohol
Communication on academic and behavioral concerns
Consistent enforcement of school-wide expectations by administration and staff
Continued Monitoring:
Faculty and administration alignment on behavior expectations and responses
Continue with implementation of Restorative Practice model
Focus on specific protocols and expectations around communicating with parents/guardians
Find unique and effective ways to educate students around substance use
Engage students in honest and meaningful dialogue regarding substance use in teens
Increase student voice in various aspects of the school

3. Connections to the Strategic Plan:
Goal #1
Innovative and highly focused instructional design and practices that maximize student engagement while streamlining student work to that which is meaningful and essential
Goal #3
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. Statistics/Data: Survey Data:
Consistent application of consequences by staff and administration for behaviors
Students
47% Disagree/Strongly Disagree (Staff)
52% Disagree/Strongly Disagree (Admin.)
Parents
25% Disagree/Strongly Disagree (Staff)
24% Disagree/Strongly Disagree (Admin.)
Staff
42% Disagree/Strongly Disagree (Admin.)
3% Disagree (Staff)
Staff consistently enforce the rules when there is an incident.
55% Disagree/Strongly Disagree

5. Statistics/Data: Survey Data:
Communication regarding academic and/or behavioral concerns
Timeliness of responses:
15% of Parents who responded Disagree/Strongly Disagree
Teachers communicated academic concerns effectively:
20% of Parents who responded Disagree/Strongly Disagree

6. Statistics/Data: Survey Data:
Frequency of observing students with drugs or alcohol in school.
Students
7% - One time per month (9-10 times)
Parents
20% - One time per month (Drugs)
8% - One time per month (Alcohol)
Staff
21% - One time this year (15-16)

7. Statistics/Data: Survey Data:
Frequency of observing transfer or sale of drugs on school grounds.
Students
15% - One time this year (15-16)
2% - One time per month (9-10 times)
Parents
4% - One time per month
12% - One time this year(15-16)
Staff
5% - One time this year (15-16)

8. Challenges: Only 85 parents completed the climate survey
Finding educational programs/presenters who create dynamic, meaningful messages with lasting effects
Ensuring that students take an active role in communicating when they observe activities with drugs or alcohol
Creating effective and impactful dialogue within the community
Disconnect between staff and student/parent perception of some issues
Getting lock-step on school-wide philosophy on behavior expectations and appropriate/consistent responses

9. Successes: Parents: Staff: Students: 96% agree there are clear rules
97% agree their child feels generally safe at school
93% agree there is someone at school to help if child has a problem
89% feel welcome at OSHS
Staff:
85% report that students have sought their advice when having a problem
89% agree that the school is prepared for any emergency
90% feel as though parents are involved in activities
92% feel that teachers enjoy teaching at OSHS
89% feel proud of this school
Students:
78% “enjoy learning in this school”
78% of students agreed/strongly agreed that they can depend on their teachers to keep them safe at school
87% identify at least one adult in the school they can go to
73% feel they have a voice in their learning

10. Next Steps:
Provide additional PD on behavior expectations and consistency of response
Continue to fine tune expectations of faculty regarding communication with parents and guardians
Continue to introduce protocols for reviewing student work and behavior issues
Work with the Restorative Practice committee to develop building-wide philosophy on behavior expectations and appropriate and effective consequences
Re-ignite the PBIS Committee
Continue to explore effective ways of educating students on drug and alcohol use, e.g., Personal Wellness class, special presentations, Advisory discussions, etc.