Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Sept/Oct 2016 | Page 17

Four ‘houses’ at East Elementary build sense of belonging

There are
“We want
no dragons
to build on the
or castle
team mentality,
walls at East
depending on
Elementary,
each other
but there are
and relying on
four “houses”
each other,” he
where
said. “We want
students are
them to build
assigned,
community and
very much
interdependence.
like the
We want them
students in
to start building
Harry Potter’s
accountability
school,
amongst
Hogwarts.
themselves, rely
Team Cognitio - Latin for Knowledge
Team Beneficium - Latin for Kindness
If you’re
on each other,
a fifth grader
and support each
at East
other instead of
Elementary,
solely relying on
you now
the teacher.”
belong to
Fifth grader,
one of four
Gisselle of Team
“houses:”
Beneficium, is
Team
already feeling
Beneficium
a sense of
(Latin for
belonging.
kindness);
“Our house
Team Cognitio
is like a family.
(knowledge);
We always work
Team
together and
Fortitudo
we don’t fight
(courage); or
with each other,”
Team Gloria - Latin for Ambition
Team Fortitudo - Latin for Courgae
Team Gloria
Gisselle said.
“My house means a lot to me because
(ambition).
“We are a team
I really look up to them when I need
The idea of the house or team model is
and my team name means ‘kindness.’ We are
help,” said Shenaa of Team Fortitudo. “And
based on a similar concept at the Ron Clark
always kind to our teammates and to other
working together is way better than working
Academy (RCA), an acclaimed middle school
teams. We are Team Beneficium!”
independently. They can always remind me
in Atlanta, Georgia. RCA also has students
The movement has even spread to the
when to do my homework. I also enjoy doing
separated into houses, which parallels the
teachers and administrators who also belong
challenges and competing with other houses.”
school in the Harry Potter novels.
to one of the four houses after choosing a
Throughout the school year, students will
“Several of us have visited RCA or read his
lanyard. Thanks to the talents of the school’s
work and were excited about the potential this participate in team-building and academic
art teacher, Erin Hare, each house also has a
approach may have on our learners,” said East challenges, which will earn their house points. crest.
The team as a whole can earn or lose points,
Elementary Principal Denny Ferguson.
Ferguson said the benefits of the team
as can individual students.
Unlike the fictional school Hogwarts,
shouldn’t stop in elementary schools. He
The points are important because students feels the sense of belonging will help support
however, which used a “sorting hat” to tell
will
be vying for the top team designation.
students which house they belonged to, East
students when they move into middle school.
Ferguson
said that every choice, positive or
Elementary held a rousing “House Joining
“We’re trying to build that interdependence
negative, will affect the house’s points.
Ceremony” at the school a few weeks ago.
so we can support each other and be
“They will constantly be aware of where
Students gathered in the auditorium and were
successful,” he said. “They need that network.
their
team stands in the rankings,” he said.
called up one-at-a-time based on their fifthAs adults, we rely on social networks and our
“The team is going to hold them accountable.
grade homerooms.
connections and support networks. Kids need
If a student does his homework, brings back
Each student, although unable to see
the same thing among each other.”
signed letters, or helps someone from an
inside, reached into a box filled with four
Eleven East Elementary teachers will travel
opposing team, he gets points.”
colors of lanyards – royal blue, navy, red or
to Atlanta to observe the Ron Clark Academy
By using the house concept, Ferguson
white. The color determined which of the four
in early October.
hopes
to instill in students a sense of
—This article was provided by the Union
houses he or she would belong. Students and
County Public Schools Communications Office.
belonging, and team building that will evoke
staff cheered and applauded as each student
caring
for
one
another
and
support
for
one
chose his house’s lanyard.
another.
Parent Teacher News • Sept/Oct 2016 • 15