Mission Possible: Building Belonging- One Culture Calendar Event at a Time

When I think about what made my years as a school leader transformative, it wasn’t just the policies or test scores. It was the moments when students, staff, and families came together to create something bigger than themselves. Belonging—that intangible but powerful force—was always at the center of our success.

As a principal and head of school in Boston, I learned that fostering a culture of belonging required more than good intentions. It demanded intentionality, collaboration, and visibility. One of the most impactful tools we used to achieve this was the creation of a culture calendar—a shared roadmap of meaningful events and experiences designed to bring our school community closer together.

The Foundation of Belonging

Belonging is a basic human need. Research shows that when students feel a sense of belonging in school, they are more engaged, motivated, and successful (Booker, 2016). This is particularly true for marginalized students who often face systemic barriers to inclusion.

For educators, belonging is just as critical. Teachers who feel connected to their school community report higher job satisfaction and are more likely to stay in the profession (Achor et al., 2018). A culture calendar became our way of addressing these needs holistically, ensuring that everyone in our ecosystem—students, staff, and families—felt seen and valued.

Building the Culture Calendar: Voices at the Center

The first step in creating our culture calendar was assembling a diverse focus group. Instead of selecting only top-performing students or those without disciplinary records, I intentionally included students who struggled academically or had behavior challenges. These students often held cultural capital among their peers—their voices mattered in shaping a culture that felt authentic and inclusive.

I also engaged staff members who were trusted by students and families. Their insights ensured that the calendar reflected the realities and aspirations of our community. Importantly, we framed this initiative as a pilot, emphasizing that we were co-creating something new and flexible. This approach reduced resistance and invited honest feedback.

The Magic of Visibility

A culture calendar is more than a schedule—it’s a visible commitment to the values of a school. Ours included:

• Dress-Down Days: Fun, low-cost opportunities for students and staff to express themselves.

• Student-Staff Games: Highly anticipated events that built camaraderie and mutual respect.

• Community Service Projects: Activities like food drives and fundraising for causes such as hurricane relief, which connected students to a broader sense of purpose.

These events weren’t just about fun. They were carefully timed to address common attendance challenges, such as the days leading up to winter break or immediately following holidays. By analyzing attendance data and strategically placing engaging activities on those days, we saw noticeable improvements in attendance and participation.

Outcomes That Matter

The impact of the culture calendar was profound:

1. Increased Engagement: Students looked forward to coming to school, knowing that meaningful and enjoyable experiences awaited them.

2. Improved Behavior: Both students and staff reported fewer behavioral issues, likely due to the stronger sense of community and shared purpose.

3. Leadership Development: Students and staff stepped into leadership roles, taking ownership of events and initiatives that resonated with them.

4. Stronger Relationships: The calendar fostered authentic connections among students, staff, and families, reinforcing the idea that everyone belonged.

Recommendations for School Leaders

If you’re considering creating a culture calendar, here are some practical steps to get started:

1. Engage Diverse Voices: Include students and staff who represent the full spectrum of your school community. Their perspectives will ensure the calendar is inclusive and meaningful.

2. Start Small and Pilot: Frame the initiative as a pilot project. This creates room for experimentation and reduces the pressure to get everything perfect from the start.

3. Align with Data: Use attendance and engagement data to identify critical times for intervention. Plan activities strategically to address known challenges.

4. Celebrate and Reflect: Publicize the calendar widely and celebrate its successes. Reflect on what worked and what didn’t, using feedback to improve future iterations.

5. Keep Costs Low: Focus on activities that require minimal financial investment but have high emotional and cultural value. Creativity and collaboration are your greatest resources.

A Final Reflection

What I’m most proud of is not the calendar itself but what it represented: a visible declaration of our commitment to belonging. It showed our students, staff, and families that their voices mattered, their ideas had power, and their contributions shaped the fabric of our school.

Today, as I work with educators across the country, I encourage every school leader to ask: How can we make belonging visible in our schools? How can we create traditions and experiences that reflect the people who make our communities vibrant and unique? The answers to these questions hold the key to unlocking the full potential of our students and staff.

References

Achor, S., Kellerman, G. R., Reece, A., & Robichaux, A. (2018). America’s loneliest workers: Teachers. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org

Booker, K. C. (2016). The high school experience: What students say about belonging, climate, and school success. Journal of School Psychology, 44(6), 451-470.