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Heritage Middle School

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Heritage Houses

Heritage Houses

The purpose of our house system is to create a positive climate and culture for students and staff, in a student-led atmosphere where all can feel connected, safe, seen, and valued.

 

Goals:

  • Generate a feeling of belonging among students and staff
  • Develop school culture through unique traditions
  • Increase student achievement: academically, socially and emotionally
  • Develop student efficacy in leadership

Four Houses

Each house represents a value that our students chose to display; we call these the HMS Values. Our houses have a name, color, and symbol. House crests have been designed by students to reflect these elements. The names come from languages reflective of our student body’s ethnic Heritage.

Valentía

House of Bravery represented by the lion. House advisors are Mrs. Saucier, Mrs. Schweitzer, and Mrs. Swanson.

Dosti

House of Friendship represented by the bear. House advisors are Mrs. Malhotra and Ms. Smith.

Amamihe

House of Wisdom represented by the owl. House advisors are Mrs. Lowry and Mrs. Lozano.

Àtinúdá

House of Creativity represented by the peacock. House advisors are Mrs. Washington and Mrs. DeBartolo.

Heritage Houses FAQ

  • All students and staff will belong to a house. Sorting will be left up to fate.
    Houses are for life. We believe that whatever house one gets is the house they are meant to have.

    New Students

    • At the beginning of the year, new students will be sorted using the Eagle eggs at a whole school sorting assembly.
    • When a new student enrolls, they will be sorted by the Eagle Eggs in the main office.

     

    Teachers and Support Staff

    • New faculty members will be sorted with an email during teacher work week.

  • All members will work to earn points for their house. At the end of the school year the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup and named House Champion. The winning house will be honored with a Pep Rally of Champions where they will be cheered by the entire student body wearing the color of the winning house.

    House Points
    All staff could give up to 5 points per day. Students will earn these points for demonstrating excellence above what is expected in the following categories: outstanding performance, school spirit, academic excellence, being safe, being responsible, and being respectful.

    Other ways to earn points
    These points are NOT included in the 5 points that teachers will give out each day.

    • Academic Recognition - awarded quarterly
      • Honor roll - A/B - 3 pts
      • High Honor Roll - All A’s - 5 pts.
    •  HEA/SOTM Award winners - 5 pts.
    • Tuesday Trivia House Challenges - 3 pts for total winning house
    • Sport/Club participation - 1 pt. (taken at end of activity - sponsors input)
    • Pep Rally wheel spins – varies per spin earned
    • Fundraiser Participation - 1pt.

  • The purpose of House meetings is to build community and develop relationships among members of the house.

  • The House Leadership is a leadership team made up of students in 6th – 8th grades. This group serves as our Leadership Team and is composed of 12 Heads of House (8th grade), 12 House leaders (7th grade), and 12 Lieutenants (6th grade).

     

    Head-of-House - 3 Representatives from each House in 8th grade level will be selected.

    Responsibilities:

    • Host school announcements
    • Organizing Pep Rallies
    • Leading House Chants
    • Welcoming Guests for School Events
    • Assembly responsibilities
    • Participate and schedule 5th & 8th House meetings

     

    House Leader - 3 Representatives from each House in 7th grade level will be selected.

    Responsibilities:

    • Leading House Chants
    • Assembly responsibilities
    • Meet once a month to prepare for House Meetings and events

     

    House Lieutenants - 3 Representatives from each House in 6th grade level will be selected.

    Responsibilities:

    • Leading House Chants
    • Assisting in Assembly responsibilities
    • Meet once a month to prepare for House Meetings and events

     

    Selection of All House Leadership:

    • House Council Advisors will narrow down applications to top applicants per house using a rubric to rate students’ responses.
    • Criteria for leadership: no more than 2 minor behavior referrals, zero major behavior referrals, zero bus referrals
    • Ceremony for Induction: Head-of-House will be recognized during a ceremony at the Pep Rally.

     

    Discipline protocol for House Leadership:
    All House Leaders can be removed from their leadership roles if they do not adhere to the character and behavior expectations of the school.

    • First offense- conference with student and House advisors
    • Second offense- suspension of duties for a period of time to be determined by adult house leadership and school administration
    • Third offense- removal from position

  • Top House for the Month is recognizes the house in the lead at the end of each month.  The winning house is invited to participate in a special spirit day. Ex. PJ Day, Hat Day, etc.