School Climate Plan

 GFS/JWL Safe School Climate Plan

Gales Ferry/Juliet W. Long Elementary School (GFS/JWL) makes every effort to maintain a positive and safe school climate and to instill in our students the four pillars of our Positive Behavior Intervention and Support plan.  They read as follows:


1. We are Respectful.
2. We are Responsible.
3. We are Kind.
4. We are Safe.

Accordingly,  GFS/JWL adheres strictly to all laws and responsibilities related to stopping bullying at Connecticut schools. In accordance with and in addition to that law:

GFS/JWL maintains a climate team consisting of building administrators, grade level representation, mental health professionals, paraprofessional representation, and family representation. During meetings, the team discusses our perceptions of school climate and related data, such as survey results, school discipline and bullying numbers. 
To learn more about our PBIS Program please refer to the page that is part of this website. PBIS
Monthly meetings of this team reviews PBIS programming, school discipline data and trends, and bullying issues.   
Lessons embedded in our Connected and Respected and Celebrated curriculum reinforce the pillars and specific lessons have been aligned to our PBIS pillars.   
Lessons, activities, and curriculum throughout the year builds upon themes of acceptance, kindness, respect, and generosity, in the hopes of nurturing a positive climate while discouraging exclusion, unkindness, or bullying.
At introductory student assemblies and throughout the year, PBIS team members highlight our four pillars and celebrates examples of these throughout our school community.  
Teacher Professional Development time is used to ensure complete understanding by staff of the law and its proper implementation in accordance with Ledyard Board of Education policy. Teachers are reminded of proper reporting protocols and timelines.
Daily, students participate in a Community period that promotes connection to the classroom and school community, reinforces lessons regarding our PBIS pillars, and infuses social-emotional learning into the day.  
This Community period also has embedded lessons of the Zones of Regulation curriculum that helps all students learn the self-regulatory skills necessary for their success.
A sequence of lessons and activities connected to bullying prevention and response is supported by school mental health professionals.    

Other actions and events which contribute to a positive school climate include:

Monthly All School Assemblies feature our four pillars, complimentary themes, students and staff, engaging activities, the school community, and the Gales Ferry/Ledyard community.  
Spirit Days - Throughout the school year, students and staff show their spirit on a Monthly basis.  These spirit days are coordinated with our GFS/JWL PTO and PBIS calendar.
Hallway showcase and bulletin board displays of student work throughout the building.  
Daily announcements feature different students and staff starting the day, birthday wishes and noteworthy student achievements whenever appropriate.
Staff, including administration, practice of greeting arriving students every morning.
Friendly competitions between grades and classes to collect non-perishable food items or toys for local families, participation in school wide-events, and annual events.
Implementation of Anchored4Life program is planned for the 2021-2022 school year to support our students who are military dependents, families of active duty military service members, and create opportunities for student leadership.