My Perfect School Climate

Stolp and Smith discuss the differences between school culture and climate. For climate they discuss all the tangible aspects of a school. If I were to walk into my new school tomorrow as a teacher, some of aspects of social climate that I would like to see would be:
-no gender confining washroom signs
-lots of common areas & non-structured classrooms
-creative classroom that is representative of my own teaching style and personality
-100% healthy food options only
-science class as a zoo (like in my junior high)
-social class rooms are unbelievably culturally inclusive and have maps and cultural events always going on
-links and programs with international schools
-evidence of hands on learning
-student and teacher input 
-promoting health like workout playgrounds
-promoting all the arts
-different spaces for different needs; not all classrooms alike
-colorful, plants and plant projects
-natural light and solar panels
-technology prevalent similar to Calgary's science center
-opportunities for tons of hands on projects like a compost garden
- clubs and teams
-safe and no bullying
-open-door policy
-embrace technology


My favorite kid's movie of all time, James and the Giant Peach, perfectly suits the idea of dreaming up a futuristic school, "Well, maybe it started that way, as a dream, but doesn't everything? Somebody had to dream about it first". This quote by James in the movie is when he first sees New York City. A dream has to start somewhere and some day it can be a reality just like a classroom or school. The photo below is a hotel. Same thing, someone had to dream that up to be such a beautiful place! Dream it, do it!

Speaking of a dream becoming reality, here is one of the first to be implemented: gender neutral washrooms at the University of Alberta.
Gender Neutral Washrooms

Stolp, Stephen and Smith, Carl. (1994). School Culture and Climate: The Role of the Leader. Oregon School Study Council.