EDUCATION

Judy Haladay, a science teacher at a middle school in Toronto, feels that coolness starts at the top.“It’s the attitude of the principal and teachers that sets the pace. When you have a really great group of professionals, they get the whole community involved and active. You can’t believe the level of energy and engagement.”

Want to tell if your school is cool? Here’s our checklist:
• The principal sets the right tone by knowing the kids’ names, participating in classroom and extracurricular activities, and holding high standards for behaviour as well as academic excellence.

• Parents are involved. As Haladay says, “It doesn’t matter what the socio-economic background is either. This school has a lot of working parents who don’t have a lot of spare time to volunteer like parents in other parts of town might. But they care about their kids’ success and show it by attending curriculum night, concerts and parent- teacher interviews.”

• Lots of extracurricular activities are on offer, like early-morning art club, chess club, school plays, concerts, intramural sports leagues or Halloween parades. These extras don’t require loads of money. Plus, they take learning beyond the classroom and create enthusiasm.

• Students share a sense that the school belongs to them and they’re partly responsible for keeping it vibrant. For example, kids will be more likely to keep hallways tidy if they’ve painted their own murals in the corridors. Plus, you’ll likely see less graffiti in a schoolyard where kids have planted and maintained the greenery.

• Codes of behaviour are strictly enforced, since bullying and teasing make it impossible for kids to stay committed.

• The atmosphere is inclusive, not exclusive, receptive, not prescriptive, and the motto is more “can do” instead of “won’t do.” Barb Allan, an Aurora, Ont., mother of three, adds, “A school that goes the extra distance to accommodate all children’s special needs gets my vote for coolness.”

• Programs are developed to foster interaction between kids at different grade levels, like reading buddies programs in which students in higher grades read to younger students once or twice a week. The bonds formed between the buddies can last for years.

• Former graduates regularly return to their alma mater even when they’re well into high school. They hang out at annual community nights or fun fairs that raise money for school programs, keep the community strong and build school spirit.

Originally published in Today's Parent, September 2005