Call to Action: Using a Culture on Purpose framework school design teams will:

1. Utilize a wholistic approach to engage ALL Stakeholders especially STUDENTS in conversations on creating environments designed from a place of acceptance, love, and respect.
2. Develop effective Response Plans that empower staff to more confidently act quickly during security incidents.
3. Affect human behavior to successfully maintain the intended safety features.

Abstract: Conversations around safety and security in schools have been going on forever, without seemingly, much progress. Acknowledging that physical security measures have their place, what if we flipped our process to begin with Creating Culture on Purpose. WHY is it important? WHAT role does design play? HOW is it different from what we’ve been doing? And do the answers vary depending on WHO’s answering the questions? Join us in a profound conversation led by Dr. George Barnes, Educator/Public Speaker/Author and Social Equity Hype Man along with students, teachers, parents, community members and design professionals in an open and honest conversation that tackles these tough questions using the right frame of mind and leading to tangible approaches. Let’s collaborate together to maximize our impact for substantive change!

Learning Objectives:

1. To conduct their own informed conversations with educators, practitioners, community members and legislators on how to cultivate a Culture on Purpose.
2. To objectively evaluate their options for healthy, safe, welcoming, and equitable learning environments.
3. To confidently engage in difficult conversations using a framework of recommendations and resources that integrate the threads of Equity, Community, Safe and Welcoming Schools.
4. To understand that we don’t have to choose between learning environments that are safe and secure and warm/ inviting, but that BOTH are possible.