The Pillars

By Arwen McGilvra-

Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible…

There are bulletin boards in the school where I’ve been working that show three bumble bees each with one of these sayings written on it. A simple reminder to the kids of what the school’s expectations are for their behavior.

The school also has rules posters place in different areas throughout the building. The one in the bathroom for instance says that to be safe in the bathroom you use walking feet and being responsible means turning the water off after you wash your hands. In the gym it says that being respectful means you share and take turns, being responsible means you don’t use food or drink in the gym.

With all the rules and expectations a school has you could fill a book (some schools do.) Using the bulletin boards, announcements, and posters this school breaks it down into smaller chucks that are easier for the kids to understand. And it all revolves around those 3 basic ideas.

In fact I have never found a rule at any child care or school I’ve worked or volunteered at that didn’t fit into one of these categories. And it’ll work at home to. If you establish them as the three basic rules for your home then you will always have an answer when they ask why. Because it’s not safe, or its not respectful, or its irresponsible….