ABSTRACT
A big detractor from students feeling a part of their educational community is giving the impression of conditional acceptance. There is an established culture in many schools that entails specific guidelines for fitting into what might be the first chance at experiencing community for many children. Sadly, many school policies concerning behavior are punitive in nature instead of opportunities for strengthening community. Many educators would benefit from avoiding certain attitudes or tendencies as they strive for a sense of community connection. Empathy for one another creates a sense of safe community and inclusion where one can develop a sense of purpose or identity. Sometimes, parents of wounded students can be tentative, for fear of judgment based on their child's struggles. Other groups in the extended community that the author has witnessed becoming valuable assets to schools are local businesses, local social service agencies, juvenile courts, colleges/universities, and churches, to name but a few.
