Quick Guide to all things EPICER!
At Cherokee Trail, we focus on four traits; teaching and fostering them in our classrooms in order to create learners that are strong both academically and socially. They are:
Enthusiasm
Perseverance
Integrity
Courage
Empathy
Respect
Each character trait has indicators which help students understand what the trait may look like at school.
Enthusiasm
* I show a positive attitude at all times
* I am eager to learn
* I show active engagement throughout my day
Perseverance
* I use determination to try to finish a task
* I have a growth mindset
* I continue through tough times and problem solve
Integrity
* I am honest
* I show empathy to those around me
* I encourage and support others to do their best
* I do what is right even when no one is watching and it is not the popular thing to do
Courage
* I am willing to take risks in my learning
* I stand up for what's right at all times
* I have self confidence
Empathy
* I actively listen to others to understand their feelings and the situation
* I can put myself in someone else’s shoes
* I notice clues about how others are feeling: their words and body language
* I celebrate how I am the same and how I am different from others
* I consider other people's feelings/wants/needs when I act
Respect
* I listen carefully to adults and students and do not interrupt
* I show empathy when interacting with others
* I accept feedback and respond in a positive way
* I own my actions and make things right
* I use manners
The CTE Promise:
At CTE, we promise to prepare our students to navigate and transfer their learning to solve real world problems.Through STEAM, we empower our students to understand themselves as learners, know their passions, and advocate within the global community.
We are passionate about making a positive impact. Show Enthusiasm!
We embrace change and don’t give up. Commit to Persevere!
We always show respect and do what’s right. Demonstrate Integrity!
We are risk takers and explorers. Be Courageous!
We consider others' feelings. Advocate Empathy!
We own our actions and use manners. Exemplify Respect!
Ways We Recognize EPIC Behavior at CTE:
Individual Recognition for being EPICER:
Students can receive an EPICER sticker from a staff member when they show any one or more of the traits. The student fills out a ticket with his/her name on it along with the reason why the sticker was earned. The student is then able to take it down to the office to put it in the ticket drum. One ticket from each grade level is drawn for the week and those students are recognized on announcements.
Students can also be nominated by a teacher to be an EPICER student for the quarter. These students consistently show the EPIC qualities on a day to day basis. These students are recognized at an all school assembly each quarter.
Class and School Recognition for EPICER:
Each time a student earns an EPICER sticker, he or she also receives a ping pong ball to drop into the school EPICER tubes. These are located near the front office. Once these tubes fill up, the whole school earns a reward.
Each class sets an EPICER sticker goal. Once the class reaches that goal, they can do a whole class reward.
Each classroom also has a horseshoe on which the class can earn STARS from other staff members for demonstrating EPICER behavior that goes above and beyond. If the class earns 7 stars by the end of the day on Thursday, the class is announced and receives a reward on Friday.
CTE Teams:
In order to promote positive behavior as well as get students to be a part of something greater than themselves, each classroom at Cherokee Trail is connected to a larger team within the school. Similar to the point system used in the Harry Potter books, positive behavior by students earns points for their team. Every month we have a different team challenge where students can also earn points for their teams. At the end of the month we chose a team winner based on the number of points that team has earned. Daily, students can see in real time the point totals on the TV in our cafeteria. At the end of every quarter, we will have a huge celebration for the winning team for that quarter. We name our teams after different people based on our STEAM acronym. Next time you are in our building, make sure you check out our team banners hanging in the halls from the previous years.
Student indicators:
Respect: Showing high value towards other students, teachers, and staff:
Staff indicators: