Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School’s new “House Hero” program is off to a successful start. The school introduced the “House System” two years ago. It’s modeled after the Ron Clark Academy. Students, teachers and Principal Donna Moro are excited about the new initiative.
“Our House Hero program is a new addition and builds on the concept giving a ‘shout out’ hero award to any students that goes ‘above and beyond’ normal expectations,” Ms. Moro said.
A recent assembly and award presentation really got students pumped up about the program.
For the month of March, the character trait was perseverance. Students and teachers are both able to nominate their “house hero” for an award. Students awarded get to ‘spin the point wheel’ and earn more points for their house.
The day of the assembly was one filled with house-wide pride. “Many students wore their house t-shirt or house color,” Ms. Moro said. “It was great to be able to bring the students together, see their smiling faces and cheer each other on as we engaged in respectful competition between houses.”
At STEM there are four “houses,” including Amistad, Altruismo, Isibindi and Reveur. “Every student belongs to a house and each house earns points throughout the month for demonstrating qualities like, respect and responsibility,” Ms. Moro said. “Each month, the winning house earns a ‘house party’ and at the end of the year a trophy is awarded to the overall winner followed by a parade through the school.”
The Ron Clark Academy House System is billed as a “dynamic, exciting and proven way to create a positive climate and culture for students and staff,” according to the organization’s website. “Using RCA’s methods will help your school or district confidently implement processes that build character, relationships, and school spirit. Our guidelines are designed to give you a streamlined framework that can be applied to any type of learning environment.”
