Building Pride at HSE
House Springs Elementary staff takes pride in teaching its students about character education through the Pride Program. Each student belongs to a Pride family of 10 – 12 members of mixed grade levels led by a Pride Guide. Pride Guides include all teachers and staff in the building equaling approximately 50 Pride families. Prides meet once a month and learn about what it means to have good character and to participate in fun activities based on character education. Some activities include playing cooperative games, working on a service project for the school community, group discussions, and oral reading of character-related books. Twice a year the school has an extended Pride Day in which the students spend several hours with their Pride family eating together, playing, and creating projects. The students love going to their Prides. The goal is to make each student feel a part of the HSE family. Students will remain with the same Pride throughout their elementary years. Our hope is that every student will know they are valued and will have friends in all grade levels. House Spring continues to make improvements to how they facilitate Prides. Staff feel the program is making a positive difference in the school and community and are excited about learning new ways to encourage our students to be caring, serving, and respectful citizens.