Engage students in activities that allow them to get to know one another. This is especially important at the beginning of the school year. Have students share something personal about themselves or bring in an important memento from their lives. Fostering an appreciation and respect among students on a personal level can help promote a caring environment.
Allocate time and resources for school-wide activities that involve students and their families. Events such as back-to-school night, holiday parties or potlucks can foster a sense of community. These types of activities can also help parents get to know teachers, and vice versa. When parents and teachers can collaborate and find common ground about a child's best interest, an atmosphere of support and unity is created.
Plan activities that help the children and the school get involved in the community or that will bring community members to the school. Sporting events, fundraisers, bake sales and field trips can help create a connection between the school and the community. It is vital that the community supports the school and that the school also acts as a resource to the community. This relationship creates a sense of interconnectedness that helps promote a caring atmosphere as well.
Have children tend to plants and animals. Allocate resources for a school garden or allow the children to plant trees or flowers on the property. If possible, obtain small animals such as fish, hamsters or rabbits that the kids can take care of. Giving the students the responsibility of caring for other life forms, such as plants and animals, can help promote a caring climate in general.
Make volunteer work a mandatory part of curriculum. Dedicate one day a month to volunteer work, such as helping out in a soup kitchen or having the students spend time with elders. Volunteer work teaches children a sense of selflessness and goodwill that can foster a giving spirit among students and faculty alike.