House Rules

At SouthTech Prep in Boynton Beach, Florida, every student is sorted into a house as soon as they arrive. The idea was borrowed from a famous book series, but the houses belong to the school. Each one has a name from a different language and something it stands for. There is a house of friendship from Spanish, dreamers from French, courage from Zulu, and givers from Portuguese.

Each house mixes sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, so older and younger students end up on the same team. "Everybody's a family," the principal said. Students earn points for their house through attendance, grades, and test scores, and every house has its own color and chant. The principal says the houses help cut down on bullying. One parent says her kids now get to school on time and read more.

Your Task: Imagine you are on the student team for your high school's new house system. The houses, names, and colors are already set. Your job is to decide how houses earn points.

1. Part of the Team
Think of a time you felt like part of a team with people outside your grade or friend group, or a time you felt left out of one. Say what made the difference. (2 sentences.)

2. Points on the Board
Invent one competition or activity that earns house points and comes from something you love, like a sport, a game, or cooking. Say how it works and how it mixes older and younger students. Then say how a student who is not good at it can still help their house. (3 to 4 sentences.)

3. Fair Play
SouthTech gives points for attendance, grades, and test scores. Name one student who could almost never earn points under those rules or yours, like someone who works after school or who struggles with tests. Say one change that would give them a real way to help their house. (3 sentences.)