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Gut Check

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February has left everyone in our building exhausted.  Unlike years passed, this winter has been mild and only two snow days have been used since Christmas Break.  Snow days allow everyone to take a break, rest, and gather the strength to finish out the year.  Where were these days that we so desperately needed to give everyone relief?!

The need for a break was overwhelming.  Teachers, aides, janitors and secretaries all talked about needing a snow day.  Even the principal was heard wishing for winter weather.

Wishes were granted as a major snow storm and chilly arctic temperatures have kept students out of school for the past week.  At this very moment, snow and sleet are once again pelting my windows.  

Everyone should be happy now.  The relief has come and the time off has allowed us to catch up on the long list of tasks on our to-do lists.  

But my gut is still reeling from the punch driven home by the first few pages of my latest reading adventure: School Culture Rewired: How to Define, Assess, and Transform It.
www.ascd.org

 As a second-year principal, I feel that the culture and climate in our school is positive and encouraging.  Although I was interested in reading this book, I wasn't expecting any earth-shattering revelations.  After all, I have read every Todd Whitaker piece ever published and tried to follow his advice to a T.  What more could I do to build a positive school culture?  I was hoping to read the book, get a few ideas that would add polish to our efforts and move on.

I wasn't prepared.  I was too confident.  Hidden within the basic outline of culture versus climate, authors Todd Whitaker and Steve Gruenert delivered a mighty blow.

"Simply announce that tomorrow is a snow day and you might notice a sudden change in climate as educators' and students' attitudes suddenly lift.  The promise of a snow day doesn't change the school's personality (i.e., culture), but the collective shift in attitude (i.e., climate) allows the school to reveal what it values.  In this case, the school climate reveals that the culture values not being in school." (Gruenert & Whitaker, pg. 11)

The culture values not being in school.

 Ouch.

I've got a whole lot to learn.

Good thing it is snowing again and I can take advantage of the day to read the other 165 pages.  
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