- Foothills Elementary School
- Overview
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Foothills Fine Arts Academy House System
The House system is a tradition that creates competition, promotes good work and behavior, encourages teamwork, provides opportunities to take on responsibilities and brings everyone in the school together.
The House system aims to give students an identity and sense of pride in a supportive, secure environment. The Houses provide for positive competition and a closer rapport between students and teachers. They also aim to help new staff and students adapt to the culture of Foothills Fine Arts Academy.
The House system is an integral and vibrant part of the school's culture. The House system is designed to reflect and enhance the values of Foothills Fine Arts Academy as they are described in the Mission and Vision.
The core values are explained as Creativity, Understanding, Persistence, Exploring New Ideas and Daring to Dream. Together, these aspects make up the core values, philosophy, ideology of the school and they give us our clear direction and pathway.
Purpose:
- to build and promote community across the grade levels and throughout the school
- to encourage positive behavior and expectations
- to teach students to take ownership of their role in the community
- to promote healthy competition
- develop school culture
- develop leadership
- develop unity among staff and students
Benefits for Students:
- It allows students to have an opportunity to interact with students from all grade levels.
- It increases opportunities for student leadership.
- It allows students to participate in a variety of activities that are non-academic and non-athletic.
- It is a great way to know more people outside of the classroom setting.
- It can be a source of positive peer-pressure and motivation that can have a positive effect in the classroom.
- Marquee events bring more fans to athletic and fine arts events.
- Studies show that schools with House systems have happier students and have more school spirit than they did before a House system was implemented.
Students have the opportunity to engage true faculty mentors.
What does it mean to be a house member?
Members of a house work together to promote and recognize the house characteristics of persisting, exploring (taking calculated risks), creating, dreaming (developing great ideas), and being optimistic (being positive and inspiring). When a house member observes their house characteristic from ANY house member, they should publicly recognize their fellow students, and if necessary, write a recommendation for a Bright Fire. A Bright Fire is a recognition of students that have exemplified, in a very significant way, the characteristics of the House system.
House members always help other house members. Reaching out and encouraging positive and productive actions and behaviors for the best Foothills culture.
What is House Leadership?
There will be a variety of house leaders. These will mostly start with 4th graders and moving up.
- Student Council House Members – 6th , 7th , 8th grade (3 students per house) = 15 Students (VOTED IN by House members)
- Welcome Committee – 1st –8th grade. 40 Children
- Spirit Committee- 1st –8th grade.
- Stand for the Silent—5th , 6th, 7th , 8th ( VOTED IN)
How does a student become a member in a house?
Students are spun into a house randomly.
Falcon Feathers
Falcon Feathers is a document that combines the thoughts of stakeholders and staff. It is a document that will reflect the best expectations of parents, students, staff, and the community to provide the most thriving experience for their child's future. The documents will be coming soon!
What House Are You In?
This is a question that we get tired of asking. We desire students to show their house representation daily. Wristbands, house color bead necklaces and bracelets, and house T-shirts can all be utilized. House T-shirts will be bulk purchased every two years for a minimal price. We will also have quarterly purchases if students and families want another one. House T-shirts will be worn on Fridays, field trips, and other important dates throughout the year. We will communicate to all when this will happen.
The 5 Houses
Kha’m Pha’ “The Explorers”
Vietnamese “to explore”
Cultural Connection: Asia/ Eastern
Color: Red
Symbol: Dragon
Indarra “The Persisters”
Basque “to endure”
Cultural Connection: Latin/ Hispanic
Color: Black
Symbol: Bull
Zanna “The Creators”
Arabic “to create”
Cultural Connection: Africa/ Middle East
Color: Green
Symbol: Lion
Reveur “The Dreamers”
French “to dream”
Cultural Connection: Europe
Color: Blue
Symbol: Horse
Malamalama “The Optimists”
Samoan “to understand; enlightenment”
Cultural Connection: Pacific Region
Color: Yellow
Symbol: Sea Turtle