Our Program

Normative Culture is a way of behaving rather than a system of rules. It uses peer pressure in a positive way among both students and staff to create shared expectations regarding attitudes and behavior. It also gives staff members, parents and children a common language to use when talking about these expectations. Expected attitudes and behaviors are called "Norms". These norms are:

1. Safety
2. Respect
3. Responsibility
4. Goal-Direction
5. The Classroom is Sacred

Being a member of our community requires that adults and children alike act according to the norms of respect, responsibility, safety, achieving goals and that "the classroom is sacred." When someone breaks a norm, the people around him or her are expected to point out, or "confront" the error in a helpful manner. The person being confronted is expected to accept helpful feedback in a respectful way. In Normative Culture, confrontations are seen as an opportunity to solve a problem.

Each day there are GGI (Guided Group Interaction) sessions conducted under the guidance of a staff facilitator and a staff observer. Peers confront peers in small groups to take accountability for their actions. The goal of Normative Culture is to develop within each individual an internal guide for behavior that is helpful in any environment.

The Timber Wolves are our exemplary students who have shown themselves to be positive role models. They have gone through the ranks of "Rookie" and "Pledge" to become a positive influence on their peers.

Digital Media

"In Their Own Words" - Students speak out about Normative Culture.
Available for your viewing: Two 5-minute video clips of students explaining how Normative Culture affects their lives and helps them establish positive behavior.

 
Culture 101: Using Your School's Culture to Influence Behaviors, Attitudes and Beliefs of Students and Staff.
View the following Presentation as presented at the NSBA 67th Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA.