Special Events that Shape a School’s Culture

By: Sandra Burgess

What will students remember about their years walking the halls of your school?  

I asked myself that question a few years ago after visiting a school with a very distinct and beautiful culture.  

To be fair, the school where I teach does have some amazing cultural distinctions.  We have a house system, a buddy system, and some truly amazing traditions.  Our elementary school Christmas Program is a yearly spectacle (in a good way), complete with a King’s Procession, live “Baby Jesus” and Ernest, the camel!  

Our culture is growing and improving year by year. 

But could it be better? 

At the time of my cultural contemplation, I was teaching fourth grade.  And I felt convicted when our third-grade teachers created a Greek Day for their students.  It is such a fun day for those children!  Costumes, an authentic feast, and Greek-worthy activities made for an amazing memory!   

I wondered what we could do in fourth grade to create such a memory.  

I started conversations with friends at other Classical schools and, like any good investigator, relied on my best friend—Google.

And there it was: Monk Day. 

As a Classical school, our fourth-grade history focuses on the Middle Ages.  I felt like Monk Day would be a tradition that would absolutely follow the curriculum, and many ideas were floating around about how to make it both fun and educational. 

I asked permission, of course.  I received a resounding “yes” and started working out the details.

There were several moments in which I second-guessed this decision.  The lazy part of me thought, “You know what would be less work than this?  Taking a test about the monks.” 

However, I had locked myself in.  It was already on the school calendar! In school language, that means, “This is happening!”

Monk Day was there before I knew it, and it was even more amazing than I had dreamed it would be!  

The students dressed like monks.  We did scripture writing in the Scriptorium (also known as my classroom) using quills, ink pots, and old-fashioned paper scrolls.  You would be amazed at what you can find on Amazon!

There were times of the day that were designated “Vow of Silence” times.  Obviously, not the entire day…these are children, after all.

The parents of our students took the task very seriously when I asked for a Monk Lunch.  They took all of my notes about what the monks did and did not eat.  We ended up with several varieties of simple soups and crusty bread.  

While we dined at one very long table in the foyer of the school, the Lecter, or designated monk (a male staff member, also dressed appropriately for the Monastery), read from the book of Psalms while we ate in silence.  

There was Monk Math and lots of history learned that day.  Not just learned…experienced!

In short, it was amazing!

And, it was memorable. 

I’ve since moved to Middle School at the same school, but Monk Day lives on in fourth grade.  Every year, when it happens, the middle school students see the fourth graders walking around (in silent lines) with their costumes on and start to reminisce about their own Monk Day.  

And isn’t that what it is all about?

The topic of this blog came to my mind early this morning when I was contemplating a new potential tradition.  This one is decidedly less Classical and probably more complicated.  

My sixth graders are reading The Westing Game, which is a fascinating murder mystery.  A few weeks ago, I thought, “What if we did a Murder Mystery Dinner Party after finishing the book?”

Don’t you love a good “what if”?  I thought through it and decided I liked that idea.  So, I dug in.  

I have asked permission and received a resounding “yes”!  I am starting to work out the details.

I have already had that moment where I have second-guessed myself.  That lazy part of me is still there, thinking, “You know what would be less trouble than this?  A test on The Westing Game!”

But, deep in my soul, I know these experiences are worth the effort.  A Murder Mystery Dinner Party?  What sixth grader won’t love that?  

And they will remember it.

And that is a part of our school system that is sometimes missing.  

Experiences.

I think that as teachers, we sometimes think it is the fault of our administrators when the culture is lacking in our schools.  As “just a teacher” myself, I disagree.  

Anyone with an idea and the desire can get things moving.  

I think of those third-grade teachers who started Greek Day at my school.  They inspired me to do something. 

Monk Day has inspired others. 

It’s a snowball effect, and the culture continues to improve.

So, come up with an idea. 

Ask permission.  

Make it happen.  

You have one year with each class to create experiences.

Give them one good memory!