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Belonging Through A Culture of Dignity

Radnor Township School District is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for all families, students, and staff.

Goal

The Radnor Township School District has been focused on continuing to foster a culture of belonging through our school community. A sense of belonging is characterized by the feelings of appreciation, validation, acceptance, and fair treatment. 

2022-23 RTSD Book Study: Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity

BelongingThroughaCultureofDignityBookCover

To continue to help Radnor Township School District develop a strong and withstanding culture of belonging, dignity and inclusion, all RTSD staff members have been provided a copy of the book "Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity" to read over the summer of 2022 as part of a district-wide staff book study. Staff will participate in conversations about the book over the course of the 2022-23 school year and sessions with the book's author(s) are also planned.

In "Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity," authors Floyd Cobb and John Krownapple argue that educational equity is based on the foundational elements of dignity and belonging, which they define as “the extent to which people feel appreciated, validated, accepted and treated fairly within.” The book seeks to make the concepts of dignity and belonging accessible and explain their importance in the implementation of educational equity initiatives.  

PSSM Student Climate Survey

The Radnor Township School District has been focused on continuing to foster a culture of belonging through our school community. As part of this work, we are asking students to complete an anonymous survey. We are seeking to learn how students feel about their sense of belonging within our schools. A sense of belonging is characterized by the feelings of appreciation, validation, acceptance, and fair treatment. We are asking students to share their honest feelings about how connected they feel to their school, teachers, and peers. The results of the survey will help our school determine areas of belonging that are strengths and areas that we can improve upon.  

Each question includes five response options: never true, usually not true, sometimes true, often true, and always true. For example, one of the survey questions is “People at this school are friendly to me”. The student would answer the question by selecting one of the possible responses. 

There are 25 total questions. The final two questions are completely optional. We hope that students will take their time and share their honest feelings about their sense of belonging at our schools.  

PSSM Survey Details: 

Answer Options for Questions 1-21: 

  • Never True 

  • Usually Not True 

  • Sometimes True 

  • Often True 

  • Always True 

25 Questions: 

1 – I feel like a real part of my school. 

2 – People notice when I am good at something. 

3 – It is hard for me to be accepted here. 

4 – Other students in this school take my opinions seriously. 

5 – Most teachers at this school are interested in me. 

6 – Sometimes I don’t feel as if I belong here. 

7 – There’s at least one teacher or other adult in this school I can talk to if I have a problem. 

8 – People at this school are friendly to me. 

9 – Teachers here are not interested in me. 

10 – I am included in many activities at this school. 

11 – I am treated with as much respect as other students here. 

12 – I feel very different from most other students here. 

13 – I can really be myself at this school. 

14 – The teachers here respect me. 

15 – People here know that I can do good work. 

16 – I wish that I were in a different school. 

17 – I feel proud of belonging to my school. 

18 – Other students here like me the way that I am. 

19 – I feel supported in doing my work. 

20 – I am encouraged to grow and improve in my performance at school.  

21 – Please share any additional comments regarding your feelings of belonging in your school or in the school district at large (OPEN ENDED). 

Demographic Questions: 

22 – Please select the school that you attend.  

Options:  

  • Ithan Elementary 

  • Radnor Elementary 

  • Wayne Elementary 

  • Radnor Middle School

  • Radnor High School 

23 – Please select your current grade level: 

Options:  

  • 3rd Grade  

  • 4th Grade 

  • 5th Grade 

  • 6th Grade 

  • 7th Grade 

  • 8th Grade 

  • 9th Grade 

  • 10th Grade 

  • 11th Grade 

  • 12th Grade 

Optional Questions: 

24 – What is your gender? (OPTIONAL) 

Options:  

  • Female 

  • Male 

  • Other / Prefer Not to Respond 

25 – Which race/ethnicity best describes you? (OPTIONAL) 

Options:  

  • American Indian or Alaskan Native 

  • Asian / Pacific Islander 

  • Black or African American 

  • Hispanic 

  • White / Caucasian 

  • Multiple Ethnicity 

  • Other / Prefer Not to Respond 

What is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?

What is Diversity?  

Diversity is understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, (dis)ability status, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

What is Equity? 

Equity is an approach that ensures everyone access to the same opportunities. Equity recognizes that advantages and barriers exist, and that, as a result, we all don’t start from the same place. Equity is a process that begins by acknowledging that unequal starting place and continues to correct and address the imbalance.

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion is involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized. An inclusive organization promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living of its members.