Principal's Quest

Citizenship

Citizenship: democracy, equality, justice, liberty

Where is the best school with the best students in the whole wide world?  How often have you heard me ask that question over the intercom? Many, many, many times, right? I love hearing your voices vibrating throughout the halls as you shout with pride, J. H. HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! J. H. House elementary school is full of good citizens. I know that each and every one of you know the traits of a good citizen but I am going to give you a quick review of how to be a good citizen.

• Do your share to make your school, your community, and the world a better place.
• Take responsibility for what goes on around you.
• Participate in community service.
• Help take care of the environment.
• Be a good neighbor.
• Treat other people with respect and dignity.
• Follow the rules of your family, your school, and your society.

Now, let’s have some fun. I caught Juan holding the door for another student when they were entering the school this morning from the buses. I bet I will catch others this week. Can you catch someone in the act of being a good citizen? List those acts on the comments section.  You can catch students, teachers, cafeteria workers, teacher aides, office people, visitors and anyone else here at the school. Let’s celebrate good citizenship at J. H. House!

Trustworthiness

Trustworthiness: worthy of confidence

“I trust you.” Those three words are so good to hear from another person. That person could be your parents, other family members, your teachers or your friends. So, how do you get someone to trust you? It really is easy but it is something you must earn. The way you earn trust is by being honest, keeping your promises, and by being loyal.

Here’s how you can earn it:

tell the truth.
be your best.
stand up for what you believe.
practice self-discipline
keep your word.
return what you borrow.

Have you read the book, “The Berenstain Bears and the Truth” by Stan and Jan Berenstain? Brother and Sister Bear learn how important it is to tell the truth after they accidentally break Mama Bear's most favorite lamp. Papa Bear helps them find the words that set everything right again. This is a good book that teaches boys and girls how it is better to tell the truth and not to lie no matter what they have done.

I bet you have read books that teach about and show examples of trustworthiness. Share them on the comments section. Be sure to give the name of the book and the author and how the character in it learned trustworthiness. Reread the points I listed about how you can earn trust. Then share your books with me and everyone else at J. H. House. What fun!

A Civics Lesson from our Parents

On election day, J. H. House was a voting precinct. I saw many of our parents there exercising their right to vote. They were demonstrating self control because they remained calm even though the voting lines were very long. It was very tiring to stand in line for as long as they did without feeeling irritable and becoming rude. However, our parents knew they had a civic duty to vote and they did it without complaining. Way to go voters at J. H. House Elementary!