School Climate

The San Mateo County Office of Education supports districts in creating a positive school climate on their campuses.

Events

RESPECT! 24/7

San Mateo County Office of Education launched its RESPECT! 24/7 anti-bullying and civility initiative after a San Mateo County Grand Jury report called on our school districts to update their anti-bullying policies to be more comprehensive and consistent. RESPECT! 24/7 has grown in its focus to address such issues as cyberbullying, digital citizenship, disproportionate rates of suspension and expulsion, LGBTQ+ and gender identity, positive school climate, safe schools and communities, and youth mental health.

2025 Event: Respect Isn't a Rule - It's a Culture Shift builds on the mission of Respect! 24/7: to support schools in creating safe, caring, and equitable environments where all students are seen, valued, and able to thrive. This year’s theme pushes us to move beyond surface-level behavior policies and recognize that respect must be built into the culture of our schools, not just enforced by rules.
Respect! 24/7 addresses critical issues like cyberbullying, youth voice, digital citizenship, LGBTQ+ identity, suicide prevention, and the disproportionate suspension and expulsion of students from marginalized backgrounds. These aren’t just “student problems.” They are community responsibilities, and addressing them requires shared leadership from everyone who shapes the learning environment. That includes teachers, classified staff, counselors, site leaders, students, families, and district teams. Culture isn’t something we manage from the top down; it’s something we co-create daily.
This theme reminds us that meaningful change happens not through policies alone but through values-driven action at every level. Respect is not about compliance; it’s about connection. It’s not just what we ask of students; it’s how we show up for them - every interaction, every decision, every day.

Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Epi Aumavae

Let's talk about it: Va Tapua'i - The Sacred Space. Defining the space between us is not about creating a divide, but rather about fostering a connection that respects and honors both individuals and locations.

(1) When was the last time we evaluated our campus culture?
(2) How recently have we allocated resources to nurture an environment where students feel respected, valued, and safe to express their true selves?
(3) What strategies have proven effective, and what actions must elevate our vibrant tapestry of diversity?
(4) Who are the hope dealers, vested families, empathetic educators, and frontline community organizers needed to move us toward meaningful change?

Allcove - YAG

Student SpeakersYouth voices are at the heart of shifting school culture from performative rules to authentic respect. In this session, members of allcove San Mateo’s Youth Advisory Group will lead a conversation about what respect means to young people today and how schools can move beyond policies to foster belonging, equity, and well-being. Drawing on their lived experiences, our youth leaders will share perspectives on mental health, identity, restorative practices, and inclusive school environments. Participants will walk away with insight into the daily realities students face, as well as concrete ideas for co-creating learning spaces where every student feels safe, seen, and valued.

Universal Design for Learning

PBIS

Greg Fry

This session invites participants to reimagine the purpose and power of PBIS—not as a behavior management system, but as a framework for cultivating classroom and schoolwide culture. Through the lens of relationship-centered practice, we will explore how shifting from top-down rules (e.g., “Be respectful”) to co-created values (e.g., “We are a community that…”) helps build environments that are emotionally safe, academically rigorous, and deeply inclusive. Participants will engage with tools, language, and strategies to make this cultural shift tangible, equitable, and sustainable.

Safe Space Center

Outlet

Restorative Practices

Stacy Russell

This interactive session will explore how restorative practices shift schools away from a focus on compliance and toward building connections, creating safe and equitable environments where all students are seen and valued. Through real-world scenarios, small-group discussions, and practical tools such as the Social Discipline Window and affective statements, participants will walk away with strategies for embedding respect into every interaction.

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