Sports, arts, musicals and last but not least, teachers. All these different aspects of our school’s culture make up the school Woodbridge High is today.
Creating a school that is inclusive with a positive culture and school spirit is important. It not only creates an environment where students want to come, but a place they will always remember.
Associate Student Body spirit commissioner and junior Mia Matulewicz explains that a key aspect of our school’s culture is the diversity and the way we celebrate our differences.
“The most important part of school culture is having a safe place to feel heard. Just being comfortable and being proud to be yourself,” Matulewitz said.
Creating a space where everyone feels heard and they can express themselves creates inclusivity and safety for everyone.
Another important aspect of school culture is how many see their religion reflected on campus, as this helps them to feel more seen and their own values in everyday spaces. Cultural clubs help students to feel more involved and connected to their culture while finding other students who are the same.
Junior Layla Atassi agrees that being part of cultural clubs helps with assimilating into school culture and feeling part of the school.
“You see a lot of different clubs on campus, regarding different groups. Whether that be your ethnicity or your religion, or what you’re interested in, I feel like there’s kind of a club for everybody.” Atassi said.
Woodbridge High offers cultural clubs for all religions, so everyone can feel included and no one left out.
Woodbridge High takes pride in the various sports and arts that they offer to students, building a culture that celebrates the talents and skills of students, outside of academics.
Being involved with sports and arts help students to explore passions they have and learn new things about themselves.
School is so much more than tests and quizzes, but also the friendships we make and the things we learn about ourselves.
For example, sports such as football and basketball have always been sports that help the warrior community to come together and events like plays and the annual musical bring many together.
However, students supporting students not only contributes to positive connections and team-work, but teachers supporting students also contribute positively.
Math teacher Christy Sterner has been a teacher at Woodbridge High for many years, learning how students work together and foster relationships that really count.
“There’s a lot of teachers who like to go to performances and really do support [the students],” Sterner said. “I think that’s important for us to do and to make sure that our students feel seen and to support our students and show them that we do support them and encourage that.”
Creating relationships between students and teachers is important as it also gives students the opportunity to know they can go to them, and they know that they are supported by their teachers.
Teachers go to football, basketball, the musical and many other events to support their students and to grow their student-teacher relationships.
While teachers try to always support their students, students also support the teachers, leading to an important part of the school culture.
During pep rallies, some teachers participate in a performance or activity. Students cheer for the teachers and enjoy watching the events they participate in, letting the teachers know they are supported and needed.
There is no one right way to create a positive school culture. All the different aspects of the school help to create that school culture and it is what everyone will remember as they continue their journey past Woodbridge High.
