Helping Students Understand the Time and Place for Certain Manners

We expect different behaviors from students at different times throughout the school day.  Some areas permit a louder, more relaxed tone while other areas require a strict, silent, very little movement approach (cafeteria and recess vs. test taking times).  Everything else falls in the middle somewhere.  

One area that has me particularly worried lately is announcement time.  Students waver between a variety of behaviors during announcements.  Everything from as soon as they hear the beep they stand still and listen intently to every word vs. carrying on with whatever they were doing showing little regard to what is being said.  

Please work with your class to notice that students in their school are taking responsible risks to do the morning announcements.  All students should work to respect those speaking by demonstrating appropriate manners.   

It is also important to help them understand that the announcements: 

• join the entire school together for a few minutes every morning
• provide a time for all students to respectfully recite the Pledge of Allegiance, 
• convey important information, 
• enhance our school's vision and program, 
• celebrate and recognize others  
• and help to build our community and culture at Village Elementary.  

While students may not always be ready to show interest, fully tune in to the announcements or may not enjoy the information being shared, it is important that they are taught proper manners while the announcements are on.  This is not different than attending a show or concert - even if we don't care for the performance, we still maintain appropriate behavior and applaud respectfully.  

Thank you, 

Tracie