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Objective: To empower educators with
ideas and strategies to make the school environment healthier and
more inviting –
the kind of place where people want to work and children
love to learn.
In February 2000, when HLC started working with schools to implement
the behavioral-health curriculum, we noticed a disconnect between
the messages of our program (conflict resolution, safety, obesity
prevention) and the school environment. As teachers told students
to treat each other with respect, some were arguing with their colleagues
in the hallways; as lessons focused on healthy eating, the school
cafeterias were serving a menu high in fat and sugar.
This observation inspired HLC to develop a way to help schools
create healthier cultures. The HLC Healthy School Culture Program
was designed in collaboration with Southwest Airlines and is based
on their successful corporate culture program. The idea is to
give schools the tools to create an environment where teachers
enjoy coming to work, feel supported by their peers, and where
behaviors, artifacts and celebrations reflect the values of both
staff and students.
The program begins with three members of your staff attending a
half-day trainer-of-trainers session. Your trainers then conduct
a school site training with every member of the faculty and staff.
At this training, the staff will collectively walk through a five
step process to lay the foundation for a new, healthier
culture. Steps include:
 Defining
school values
Defining behavioral expectations (for staff and students)
Creating artifacts, celebrations & rewards
Establishing a Culture Committee
Redefining hiring practices
Following the training session, the school’s
Culture Committee is responsible for implementing the program
as designed by all stakeholders. HLC staff members can serve
as a liaison to motivate and monitor progress. HLC also
provides a pre and post culture survey to document environmental
changes at the start and finish of each school year.
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