Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year! Your Crab Orchard family is excited to announce that this year we will be continuing our student leadership program, as well as our House system that will support our school-wide positive behavior program. The two tie-in together and promote The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. We want to promote positive leadership throughout our school with each and every student in the building.
The 7 Habits is a combination of principles of personal and interpersonal effectiveness, such as responsibility, vision, integrity, teamwork, collaboration and renewal. The 7 Habits is a key component of The Leader in Me process. More information can be found on The Leader in Me website at www.theleaderinme.org/what-is-the-leader-in-me/. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids are:
Be Proactive
Begin with the End in Mind
Put First Things First
Think Win-Win
Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Synergize
Sharpen the Saw
Our House System is a way to support our school-wide positive behavior program. The entire school (faculty, staff, AND students) is sorted into one of five Houses (new students were sorted into Houses today). By doing so, we are able to build a sense of community among faculty, staff, and students, as well as allowing EVERY student to have a connection at school. The best part? The Houses will compete with each other throughout the year for House points. The House with the most points at the end of the year will win the House Cup!
Houses will have fellowship meetings throughout the school year. House leaders, supporting teachers, and student members will get together for various activities to work on building that sense of community and to create those connections for each House member. There will also be House competitions where members of each House will compete with each other in order to earn House points. We are all very excited to implement this system!
An additional program we will be continuing is the Student Leadership program. We want to promote positive leadership throughout our school, so students will have the chance to become a “Pro Leader”. These “Pro Leaders” will be the face of our school. They will have daily responsibilities, meetings, and other opportunities throughout the school year. Students from each House will be given the opportunity to apply and interview for a limited number of “Pro Leader” positions.
“Pro Leader” positions will be open to 4th- through 8th-grade students, but there will be a “Rookie Leader” group for Kindergarten through 4th-grade students. These “rookies-in-training” will have the opportunity to shadow a “Pro Leader” and learn from them.
Attached to this letter you will find a more detailed description of The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, a list of the ways our students will display The 7 Habits in the different areas of the school, and a form that each student will need to fill out in order to receive a House shirt.
We are looking forward to seeing our students develop and strengthen their positive leadership qualities, learn and display The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, and really come together as a school community to make this year the best yet here at Crab Orchard Elementary!
Habit 1 - Be Proactive
You’re in Charge
Practice and display fairness, honesty, and MODESTY.
Respect school property!
Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind
Have a Plan
HUSH, RUSH, FLUSH!
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Work First, Then Play
No horseplay!
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win
Everyone Can Win
Keep hands and other body parts to yourself.
Keep negative comments to yourself, in order to reduce conflict.
Do your business and exit.
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Listen Before You Talk
The restroom is NOT a social setting.
Habit 6 - Synergize
Together is Better
Again, the restroom is NOT a social setting.
Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw
Balance Feels Best
Use proper hygiene procedures (i.e. flush, clean up your mess, WASH YOUR HANDS, etc.).
Habit 1 - Be Proactive
You’re in Charge
SIT in your assigned row.
Talk quietly in the morning and do NOT talk in the afternoon.
Stay in YOUR bubble.
Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind
Have a Plan
Come in quietly, leave quietly.
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Work First, Then Play
If someone talks, do NOT talk back or touch others.
Be a GOOD EXAMPLE.
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win
Everyone Can Win
Ask an adult for help if you feel frustrated or overwhelmed.
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Listen Before You Talk
Think of how others may feel when it is noisy.
Habit 6 - Synergize
Together is Better
Work together with your bus to follow rules so you can leave in a timely manner and earn HOUSE POINTS.
Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw
Balance Feels Best
Use bus room time responsibly (i.e. read or do homework quietly).
Habit 1 - Be Proactive
You’re in Charge
Eat and touch only YOUR food.
Be responsible for the cleanliness of your OWN area.
Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind
Have a Plan
Decide ahead of time what you plan on eating.
Get all necessary items (i.e. napkins, silverware, condiments, etc.) before being seated.
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Work First, Then Play
Eat FIRST, socialize LATER.
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win
Everyone Can Win
Everyone will have a better experience when everyone follows the rules.
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Listen Before You Talk
Listen when others are talking.
Talk only to those nearby.
Habit 6 - Synergize
Together is Better
Walk quietly in a single-file line when entering and exiting the cafeteria.
Remain quiet and stay in line while waiting to leave.
Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw
Balance Feels Best
Keep our cafeteria atmosphere RESPECTFUL.
Use KIND words.
Help one another.
Habit 1 - Be Proactive
You’re in Charge
Listen and follow directions.
Be prepared for class.
Have a positive attitude.
Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind
Have a Plan
Set and work towards positive goals.
Be a good example for others.
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Work First, Then Play
WORK HARD = PLAY HARD
Keep your area ORGANIZED.
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win
Everyone Can Win
COMPROMISE.
Resolve conflicts quickly!
Find a happy medium.
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Listen Before You Talk
Listen without interrupting.
Look others in the eyes when talking.
T.H.I.N.K.
Before you speak, THINK.
T = Is it TRUE?
H = Is it HELPFUL?
I = Is it INSPIRING?
N = Is it NECESSARY?
K = Is it KIND?
Habit 6 - Synergize
Together is Better
COOPERATE.
Practice teamwork.
Accept everyone.
Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw
Balance Feels Best
Help others.
Use tissues for your nose.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
Habit 1 - Be Proactive
You’re in Charge
Stay quiet and be respectful of other classes while walking through the hallways.
WALK and treat the hallways like a road. Keep to the right, use caution, and consider people behind and in front of you.
Keep hands and all other body parts to YOURSELF.
Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind
Have a Plan
Walk with purpose.
While at lockers, plan to get all needed supplies so you do not have to return.
Be a good citizen. Keep the hallways clean and pick up trash.
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Work First, Then Play
Get ready for class FIRST, then use the restroom or get a drink of water.
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win
Everyone Can Win
BE QUIET! Consider other classes when you are in the hallway.
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Listen Before You Talk
Be courteous and kind.
Make eye-contact.
Habit 6 - Synergize
Together is Better
If a classmate is being disruptive, quietly and politely redirect them to the correct behavior.
Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw
Balance Feels Best
Walk orderly to prevent harm to others or yourself.
HALLWAYS ARE FOR WALKING!
Habit 1 - Be Proactive
You’re in Charge
Do the right thing WITHOUT being asked.
Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind
Have a Plan
Look for ways to be a GOOD citizen (e.g., be a friend to all, keep ALL body parts to yourself).
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Work First, Then Play
Say NO to things you should not do.
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win
Everyone Can Win
Ask a TEACHER for help if a conflict arises.
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Listen Before You Talk
Listen to other people’s ideas and feelings (e.g., take turns, “If it is on the ground, it stays on the ground.”).
Habit 6 - Synergize
Together is Better
Play TOGETHER and be a good friend.
Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw
Balance Feels Best
HELP a friend in need.