Question #1: "Where Everybody Knows your Name"...

In the previous post, I wrote about Dr. Neale Pryor's statement that every student comes into a classroom asking three questions: 

• Do you like me?
• Will I make it?
•  Am I worth it?

The question "Do you like me?" addresses the need to not only be seen or acknowledged, but also to be accepted. There are many ways educators can answer this question with a resounding "yes":

The T.V. show "Cheers" had it right when they opened each episode with the words, "Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came". That's exactly how I want my school to be for my students, parents, and teachers. For an administrator, it's important to be not only present, but to also intentionally extend hospitality. There are basic ways to promote a welcoming culture (Greet each student by name when you pass him in the hallway, check in with every teacher in the morning prior to school, walking around in the cafeteria at lunch talking with students, be visible at dismissal, etc.). Here are a few other ideas to make sure students know they are special and liked:

• Names not numbers - It's important for students to hear me call them by name, but also to see their names listed as a valued part of our community.  For example, a few months ago, we had an Amazing Race type activity for each class.  At every stop, after completing the challenge, I gave the class a puzzle piece. When they returned to the classroom, they glued the pieces together to find a Wordle with everyone's name included in it. These puzzles have hung on the doors of each classroom all year to remind us that we are all an important part of the school.  
• "Blessing Prayer" -Whenever I have the opportunity, I will pray for students by name. It's a very simple "Thank you for _______" or "Please bless _______". Even with 30 students, it doesn't take that long.  I love the way a student's face will light up when her name is spoken. Eventually, I change it to everyone in the class prays for the person to their right.  I had a student named Cody who would ask me to pray this way almost every day. Without fail, when I would get through saying everyone's name, Cody would lean over and say, "And you, Mrs. Suzie, don't forget you.". It warmed my heart to know Cody remembered me. 
• Morning Meetings - Many schools have adopted the practices detailed in The Morning Meeting Book by Roxanne Kriete. Many elements of the morning meeting convey to the students that they are accepted. In this video clip, you can see a 5th grade morning meeting.
• Pictures - My teachers post student pictures on their walls alongside the students' work. When parents come to my office, they see pictures of all my children, my own and the ones with whom I have been entrusted.                                                         

How do you let students know you like them at your school?