During the week of October 19, 2020, Scott Primary School connected its entire school community in a safe, socially distanced, hybrid event.
The annual Scott Primary house sorting event took place on Tuesday and Friday and welcomed students who are new to the school and all kindergarten students into one of six different houses. Last school year, the entire school adopted a house system popularized by the Harry Potter books and incorporated the system into the school’s positive behavioral interventions and supports program. The “houses” are based on six character traits and coordinating colors:
Tiyaga – The blue House of Perseverance
Quantum – The orange House of Respect
Amicus – The purple House of Kindness
Ami – The yellow House of Friendship
Fidelis – The green House of Trustworthiness
Officium – The red House of Responsibility
Scott Primary students pick a colored block out of the sorting book to determine in which house they are to belong
During the house sorting event, students pick a colored block out of the sorting book to determine in which house they are to belong for their entire Scott Primary career. Typically, this event will occur during a whole-school assembly with each house welcoming its new members and cheering on the other houses. In order to maintain the enthusiasm of the event, staff came up with a solution that would bring the entire school community together even when physically apart.
At Tuesday’s event, the kindergarten students in Cohort A participated in person in a socially distanced space. The entire event was then broadcast live. Cohort A students in first through third grade participated in their classrooms, and students in Cohort B participated at home. Classroom teachers picked blocks for the kindergarten students who participated virtually. On Friday, the process was repeated with kindergarten students in Cohort B selecting their house in person.
Students cheer for new members of their house and other houses
The hybrid solution provided the opportunity for students to cheer for one another and welcome new students into their houses. Cheers could be heard through the hallways with each announcement of the student’s house selection. Scott Primary has adopted the schoolwide motto “Six Houses One Family,” and staff found a way to carry that mission through this school year in a safe and fun way.