A Note to my McGowen Families
At McGowen Elementary, we strongly emphasize Ron Clark's "Essential 55". We go over all 55 expectations periodically throughout the year. Students are responsible for following these guidelines both in class and in the hallways. The "Essential 55" were designed with student success in mind and are valuable lessons that are likely to help the students for years to come.
I have provided a list of the full 55 below. Thank you in advance for your help reinforcing these expectations in your home! :)
I have provided a list of the full 55 below. Thank you in advance for your help reinforcing these expectations in your home! :)
What is the Essential 55?
"The Essential 55 by Ron Clark is an inspiration book full of rules and tips. It is an award winning book full of rules for discovering successful students. Ron Clark focuses on the issues of classroom management, positive environments, self respect, respect, and manners. How can children be successful in life? How can 55 simple rules help your child to become more knowledgeable about the world we live in today? Parents, teachers, and children of different ages can all use this powerful book as a wonderful way to survive in American society, not just in school but in everyday life. And by applying these simple rules to ones life, it doesn’t mean that life should be all work and no play. You can use these rules and yet still excel in the future because there is always room for growing and success."
excerpt from http://k6educators.about.com/cs/classroommanageme3/a/essential55.htm
excerpt from http://k6educators.about.com/cs/classroommanageme3/a/essential55.htm
Ron Clark's List of "Essential 55 Rules"
- Respond to an adult when spoken to.
- Make eye contact when spoken to.
- Congratulate classmates.
- Respect other students’ comments, opinions, and ideas.
- If you win, do not brag, if you lose, do not show anger.
- If you are asked a question in conversation, ask a question in return.
- Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and say excuse me.
- Do not show disrespect with gestures.
- Always say thank you when given something.
- When you receive something, do not insult the gift or the giver.
- Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness.
- When grading other students’ papers, give only the correct grade.
- Follow along when we read together in class.
- Answer all written questions with a complete sentence.
- Do not ask for a reward.
- You must complete your homework every day.
- Subject transitions and moving to different classrooms will be swift, quiet, and orderly.
- Be as organized as possible.
- When homework is assigned, do not moan or complain.
- When a substitute teacher present, all class rules still apply.
- Follow the specific classroom protocols.
- You may bring a bottle of water to class; you may not leave for a drink of water during class.
- Know other teachers’ names and greet them in the hall by name.
- Keep yourself and the bathroom clean and germ-free.
- Greet visitors and make them feel welcome.
- Do not save seats in the lunchroom.
- Do not stare at a student who is being reprimanded.
- Call me if you have a question about homework and leave a message –once.
- The ABC’s of etiquette.
- After dining in the cafeteria or elsewhere, be responsible for your trash.
- In a hotel room, leave a tip for the hotel workers who clean your room (AT OUR SCHOOL we say: "Always leave a room better than you found it").
- On a bus, always face forward.
- When meeting new people shake hands and repeat their names.
- When offered food, take only your fair share.
- If someone drops something and you are close to it, pick it up.
- Hold the door for people rather than letting it close on them.
- If someone bumps into you, say excuse me, even if it was not your fault.
- On a field trip, enter a public building quietly.
- On a field trip, compliment the place you are visiting.
- During an assembly, do not speak or call out to friends.
- At home, answer your phone in a polite and appropriate manner.
- When returning from a trip, shake the hands of every chaperone.
- Keep right in the hallways when walking.
- When walking in line, Keep your arms at your sides and move quietly.
- Never cut in line.
- No talking during movie or distance learning.
- Do not bring Doritos into the school building (AT OUR SCHOOL we say: "Bring a neat, one-handed snack).
- If anyone is bullying you, let me know.
- Stand up for what you believe.
- Be positive and enjoy life.
- Live so that you will never have regrets.
- Learn from your mistakes and move on.
- No matter the circumstances, always be honest.
- Carpe Diem.
- Be the best person you can be.
McGowen Top 10
#1 -- When responding to any adult, you must answer by saying “Yes ma’am” or “No sir.”
#2 -- Make eye contact.
#6 -- If you are asked a question in conversation, you should ask a question in return.
#15 -- Do not ask for a reward for good grades or behavior.
#23 -- Know other teachers’ names and greet them in the halls by name at appropriate times.
#25 -- Greet visitors and make them feel welcome.
#28 -- Anytime you are leaving the classroom, SILENTLY line up and WALK to your destination.
(Always remembering to adhere to the elbow rule).
#36 --Hold the door for people rather than letting it close on them.
#37 --If someone bumps into you, say excuse me, even if it was not your fault.
#40 -- During an assembly, do not speak or call out to friends.
#2 -- Make eye contact.
#6 -- If you are asked a question in conversation, you should ask a question in return.
#15 -- Do not ask for a reward for good grades or behavior.
#23 -- Know other teachers’ names and greet them in the halls by name at appropriate times.
#25 -- Greet visitors and make them feel welcome.
#28 -- Anytime you are leaving the classroom, SILENTLY line up and WALK to your destination.
(Always remembering to adhere to the elbow rule).
#36 --Hold the door for people rather than letting it close on them.
#37 --If someone bumps into you, say excuse me, even if it was not your fault.
#40 -- During an assembly, do not speak or call out to friends.