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A culture of belonging, safety and care

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  5. The 6 Key Practices of the Community School Strategy
  6. A culture of belonging, safety and care

Key Practice 5

A culture of belonging, safety and care is a school climate that is welcoming and fosters trust where members of the school community are valued for their rich diversity of experiences and are encouraged to share their views, knowledge and culture. The school becomes a place grounded in healthy relationships, in which members feel safe and comfortable navigating conflicts and taking risks. Students embrace the school community and contribute actively. This type of environment is Key Practice for student learning and development; it both buffers students from stress and adversity and provides safety and consistency, so that students can take risks, explore new experiences, and develop their identities.

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Darling-Hammond, Linda, et al. “Design Principles for Schools: Putting the Science of Learning and Development Into Action.” Learning Policy Institue and Turnaround for Children (2021).
“Community Schools Playbook.” Community Schools Playbook, 2022, The Partnership for the Future of Learning
“Stages of Development.” Community Schools Forward, 2022.
Materials developed by ABC Community School Partnership