Relationships - School Community
Completion requirements
UNIT 1
You spend the majority of your time in school. You have relationships with school staff, your classmates, and your friends. You influence them and they influence you. How you act and talk with these people will likely change depending on the situation, but does this mean you are changing who you are?
In school, there are formal rules, like the ones posted on signs in school hallways. They often include rules around respect and attendance. These rules often focus on academic performance, fairness, and good work habits. Remarkably, many of these rules haven’t changed in over 50 years .
Sometimes there may be traditions that are observed by teams and clubs in your school. These traditions might take the form of a team chant before a big game, or a rule that no one shaves while the team is in the playoffs. These traditions show solidarity. Other traditions are less public and are often dangerous. Some teams or clubs have traditions around initiating new teammates or club members. These traditions, referred to as “initiation” or “hazing”, may include rites of passage that new players or members need to perform to earn acceptance by the others. At times, these traditions may be demeaning or dangerous, yet people participate out of fear and the desire to fit in. If you feel unsafe, or you are aware that others are in danger, be sure to report it to an authority figure you trust.
In school, there are formal rules, like the ones posted on signs in school hallways. They often include rules around respect and attendance. These rules often focus on academic performance, fairness, and good work habits. Remarkably, many of these rules haven’t changed in over 50 years .
Sometimes there may be traditions that are observed by teams and clubs in your school. These traditions might take the form of a team chant before a big game, or a rule that no one shaves while the team is in the playoffs. These traditions show solidarity. Other traditions are less public and are often dangerous. Some teams or clubs have traditions around initiating new teammates or club members. These traditions, referred to as “initiation” or “hazing”, may include rites of passage that new players or members need to perform to earn acceptance by the others. At times, these traditions may be demeaning or dangerous, yet people participate out of fear and the desire to fit in. If you feel unsafe, or you are aware that others are in danger, be sure to report it to an authority figure you trust.
There are also informal rules that are understood by everyone, although often unsaid. These rules focus on fitting in with your peers. They can influence your social group—the people you spend time with during the day. This group might influence how you
dress, how you talk, and even your attendance in school. You might feel pressured to conform to this group, so you don’t feel alone. Regardless of how others may act, everyone is grappling with the same pressures.
The relationships you build in school contribute to who you become, but it is certainly not the final word. After school, you will build new social groups and friends, whether you continue your education after high school or head directly into the workforce. You may decide to have a family in the future. All of your experiences engrain in you how you should treat others and how you expect to be treated.
The relationships you build in school contribute to who you become, but it is certainly not the final word. After school, you will build new social groups and friends, whether you continue your education after high school or head directly into the workforce. You may decide to have a family in the future. All of your experiences engrain in you how you should treat others and how you expect to be treated.