As we all came out of the COVID pandemic it was evident to us that we needed something to anchor our conversations, decisions, and expectations for ourselves as a community. As we entered our new normal and began spending more time together again, it was clear that each classroom was anchored in a shared understanding, however we continued to notice that students weren't sure about guidance and expectations on a school level. Through supporting our students individually, in small groups, and in large groups we noticed that as staff we were all having similar conversations, but using slightly different language. Knowing that this wasn't something to rush into, and understanding the need for authenticity, we spent months scanning, wondering, discussing, and planning what this could look like and how it could be helpful.

Through another session with our School District Social Responsibility Team, staff at Gilmore worked towards generating “common language” that would be meaningful and helpful in supporting students and creating common expectations while we are together during the school days.

We landed on the common language of:

CARE FOR SELF, CARE FOR OTHERS, AND CARE FOR PLACE

This common language aligns nicely with our inquiry question of how a sense of belonging for all will help students feel more successful with their learning. As we move forward, this language will help to anchor our school decisions as well as conversations that we have daily. “Care for Self, Care for Others, and Care for Place” has recently been introduced to students at Gilmore as our common language and over time will become weaved through all that we do at Gilmore. Our goal is that home and school can use this common language to help students with consistency and will help to evolve an understanding for all of us and how this can be the foundation of our identity at Gilmore!

Our next step in this journey is to circle back to our students and stakeholders and gather feedback about how we are doing and where to go next with our School Story!