Lower School Introduces "Houses" to Strengthen Core Values

Courage. Compassion. Integrity. These values, as well as the School’s motto,  Esse Quam Videri (to be, rather than to seem), are interwoven throughout all aspects of Boys' Latin’s daily life. To further instill these values this year, the lower school instituted LiveSchool, a new positive behavior program, creating Courage, Compassion, Integrity and EQV “houses” and enrolling students and faculty across all grade levels. 

Originating long ago in England, the idea of houses was a way to encourage a sense of community between students and faculty. While a strong sense of community already exists at Boys’ Latin, the creation of the values-based houses expands a common cause. As lower school head Greg Schnitzlein explains, he and the faculty wanted to establish behavior expectations that were consistent in all grade levels.

With LiveSchool, boys easily earn points for their house by exhibiting positive behaviors and living these values every day. The program allows the boys to see the results of positive behavior immediately, as it provides a running tally of house points earned. Monthly celebrations will recognize the house and the individual student with the most points. The system resets each month, and a new value is incorporated.

Schnitzlein says, “The primary goal of the program is to foster a culture of excellence for our boys. It provides opportunities to celebrate and encourage positive behaviors, and creates consistent expectations from kindergarten through fifth grade, in all classes and aspects of our school day. The program provides us with tools and resources to build a School culture that recognizes our boys as they strive to live our School’s motto, Esse Quam Videri.” He adds that the response from the boys has already been great, and that they are enthusiastic and very focused on it. Each house has its own color, cheer and handshake which are used during weekly assemblies, encouraging a spirit of healthy competition and promoting positivity.
 
Parents also have access to LiveSchool, giving them the opportunity to support their sons as they strive to live Laker values every day, both in School and in the greater community.