School Culture

A strong, clearly defined school culture is based on or school’s three priorities; A Positive Staff and Student culture, High Academic Achievement, and Student ownership. These priorities are only possible when we strive to put our students first! The highlights of our school culture will create a safe, “bully-free environment”. Daily advisement will help ensure that at the beginning of each day, students are focused on specific topics that are linked to measurable changes in student behavior and the overall school environment.

Specifics of our school culture include:

• Implementation of a “Bully-Proof Policy,” where students clearly understand there is zero tolerance for bullying.
• A strong emphazis on “Black Excellence” inclusiveness and the implemantation of “Mosaic” a Social Emotinal Learning curriculum that focuses on building empathy, resilience, and community.
• Positive Behavior System (PBIS) – students “caught” demonstrating good behavior will be rewarded daily with “Grizzly Character Traits” and the “Golden Ticket”. Each month, students will use their character traits money to purchase prizes in our ” Green Day Social”. During the social, students have the opportunity to celebrate and recognize each other behavior success.
• Our “Golden Ticket Raffle” takes place at the end of the Green Day Social with mayor prizes to win.
• Our celebration of the “Students of the Week” is dedicated to those students who demonstrate excellence in honoring one of the school’s core values- Leadership, Responsibility, Respect, Cooperation, Courage , Perseverance, and Caring-
• Daily Morning Meetings – held during the first 20 minutes of each day during class morning meeting. Allocating this time will remind students of GVE expectations and support them in practicing that focus throughout the day.
• Focus on diversity and inclusion, including professional development for staff and training for families to promote a positive and welcoming culture for all members of the school community.
• High expectations will be in place for all students, faculty and parents. GVE teachers believe their students can and will succeed. Our expectation is that parents and students will work together to ensure that all students read at home each night and complete all school work. Parents will be encouraged to volunteer at the school and to work collaboratively with teachers to support positive behavioral and academic outcomes.
• We are proud to be part of the District’s Black Excellence Plan. This plan specifically embraces the excellence of black and African-American students by prioritizing and targeting their academic achievement.
• Rituals and routines will be established to ensure a safe and orderly environment.
• Students, teachers and teams will be recognized frequently for outstanding accomplishments.
• Our current uniform policy will continue. Students are required to wear polo shirts with short or long sleeve (solid white, blue, green, black, baby blue, and baby pink ); khaki or blue slacks, shorts or skirts. NO jeans except on designated Jeans Days, which will be determined by the School Leadership Team. Read our uniform policy.