We recognize and value the central role relationships and positive emotions play in creating a work environment that is supportive, challenging, fulfilling, and meaningful. We have embedded structures designed to support the development of positive relationships and an emotionally supportive environment.

Regular Meetings

Opportunities to meet regularly in various configurations

Professional Days and Week in August to support and recognize responsibilities of teachers in addition to direct contact with children, to develop community, celebrate and interact informally to develop relationships

Social events

Staff Social in August

PTO Appreciation Brunch/Lunch

Significant Life Events

We recognize the significant life events of our staff with a card, which is created by the visual arts studio teacher and includes individual messages from each of us. We acknowledge births and resignations/retirements with a gift and an all-school gathering, in addition to the card. The events we acknowledge include:

• Births*
• Resignations and Retirements*
• Marriages
• Deaths of close family members
• Medical leaves lasting one month or longer

* We acknowledge births and resignations/retirements with a gift and an all-school gathering, in addition to the card.

Communicating and coordinating cards and celebrations

The supervising teachers and administrators share the responsibility for communicating significant events and coordinating the card and gift. If a member of the Fort Hill community experiences a significant event, his/her supervisor:

• talks to the studio supervising teacher and asks her to prepare a card;
• shares the information about the card/gift with the entire staff and lets everyone know a card will be circulating; and,
• delivers the signed card to the person experiencing the life event.

If the event is a birth or resignation/retirement, the supervisor also:

• initiates a process to collect contributions for a gift;
• collaborates with the visual arts studio supervising teacher to prepare a gift;
• talks with the office coordinator to order a cake;
• talks with the director to plan a celebration time during a professional day*; 
• coordinates the pick-up of the cake and the food service (plates, napkins, etc.) to serve the cake; and,
• prepares and delivers a “toast” or recognition to be delivered at the celebration.

*If a professional day is not possible, the supervisor plans a lunch time celebration and talks to the office coordinator about scheduling opportunities for teachers to attend the celebration.