Civility Squad Making District-Wide Difference

The end of another school year provides time to reflect on progress made over the past 10 months. It also invites a closer look at the tools that contributed to those successes.

One initiative that spread positive change throughout the Sarasota County School District last year was the Civility Squad, Gulf Coast’s cast of animated characters created to promote more respectful and effective communication. Teachers and administrators say the characters lived up to their motto: Saving our (school) community one good deed at a time!

“It has made a difference”

At Venice Elementary School, Guidance Counselor Lori Christie remembers going through the original training for Because It Matters, the first regional civility initiative that Gulf Coast launched over a decade ago. After we reimagined and relaunched the initiative as the Civility Squad, Christie welcomed the district’s formal adoption of it last year.

Sarasota County Schools has integrated the Civility Squad characters and their principles of civility district-wide. But administrators also encourage each school to adapt and build on those basics, and Christie has been able to add her own creative twists—including naming the characters that promote the initiative’s 10 “keys to civility.” 
 
Every month features a different Civility Squad hero, and students are encouraged to show those heroes’ traits in their daily lives. For example, May’s message was “Say thank you,” and the two characters who promoted it were named “Eddie” and “Kit”—for etiquette!

“It’s making the kids think about it,” says Christie. “We give them easy-to-do things to act it out. We don’t exclude; if someone wants to join your game, you let them. I think it has made a difference.”

From classroom to living room

Every month, teachers at VES also select and celebrate a student from each class who exemplifies the featured trait. That program was so successful in its first year that teachers had a difficult time choosing just one. “They had more than one child who they wanted to nominate,” says Christie. “It’s a good problem to have!”

Venice Elementary Principal Kirk Hutchinson sees the Civility Squad as integral to the overall environment that administrators and teachers aspire to create. “Not only are we focusing on the academic development, but we’re also focusing on the social and emotional learning development of our students,” says Hutchinson. “Our parents recognize that when we have continuity between the classroom and the living room on the traits we want our children to display, it’s a win for everyone.” 

County-wide benefits

The success of Civility Squad goes far beyond VES. “The Civility Squad has been a tremendous program for the entire school district,” says Superintendent Todd Bowden. “Not only does it teach and engage our students, but it serves as a positive reminder for our entire community of the benefits of being kind, respectful, and a good listener.”

“Sarasota County Schools has greatly benefitted from this program,” adds Debra Giacolone, director of Student Services. “The daily reminders and monthly themes have made a positive impact on all our students, and we believe they have taught us to be more civil to one another and mindful in our actions.” 

During the first year that the district integrated the Civility Squad, the focus was getting familiar with the program and the resources available. Next year it will be: Where can it go?

To view fun photos of VES’s May Civility Squad honorees, go here.

For the most up to date materials and information on The Civility Squad, please reach out to info@gulfcoastcf.org