Principal's Message

Strong and happy families don’t just happen. They are built. Like a building, they have a strong infrastructure – a set of systems that keeps the family on track. A critical building block is a set of rules or standards for behavior, which is exactly what the Seven Habits are. When standards are missing, it can tear a family apart. When there are rules, it is easy for children to make decisions- either they follow the family’s set of laws or they don’t. This gives parents a concrete reason to administer discipline. “Because I said so,” never teaches a child how to correct an action and does not lend itself to respect or support for the parent. Talk about family rules and their purposes. Expect obedience (following parents’ directions) and order (keeping rooms and personal spaces tidy). Peace (no fighting or yelling) and Respect (being polite to parents and others). Create appropriate penalties and rewards. The more matter of fact and natural they are, the easier they are to remember and enforce. Just like rules at school, rules, consequences and rewards at home should be consistently enforced to help children make good choices and decisions.  Using the Seven Habits helps to assist students understand why they are being asked to complete chores, lend a hand or do a job and helps them  plan their time and look forward to completing necessary tasks - (Put first things first) before moving on to a free or personal activity. Think back to the old TV shows where  family order and structure was expected;  Fresh Prince of  BelAir,  The Waltons, Bill Cosby, Eight is Enough,  7^th Heaven and Life Goes On. It may have been television, but these were programs that helped kids realize how a good citizen and caring family member (parents) are supposed to react around their family and the community. There are not too many, if any,  TV shows today that emulate this behavior. Besides school, students will not experience systems and standards without a strong parent beside them.  To help parents figure out the seven habits to assist them at home with standards and expectations, we have books in the library ready for check out, or visit the public library and check out the books by Stephen Covey.  Strong families are happy families.