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	Updated November 18, 2007
	As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 We are very excited about the implementation of the House Program at ACS!  It has been proven that students who are involved in school activities have a better attitude toward teachers and rules, exhibit improved academic performance, and feel better about themselves. To address this issue, Ascension Catholic School has implemented a system to re-energize our middle school students and promote school spirit. With a focus on building community, service to others, and personal responsibility, a house system has been created. All middle school students are divided into six houses.  Each house contains an equal number of boys and girls from the 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grades.  Each student has been randomly placed in a house and will remain with that same house throughout his or her middle school years.  Each house contains an average of 25 students. There is an overwhelming benefit for all students involved. Mixing students from all middle school grades in each house provides more opportunities for students to interact and work cooperatively with peers from each grade level. Sixth graders feel more relaxed moving from fifth grade into middle school. Houses acquire and compete for points by participating in a variety of activities.  These include activities in the areas of church ministry, Ascension Catholic School athletics, and Ascension Catholic School extra-curricular activities (clubs, scouts, science research, student service council, etc.). Activities at house-wide meetings count toward individual and house points.  Opportunities for additional points focus on zero detentions, zero uniform violations, and the accumulation of Accelerated Reader points.  House names are based on a character trait we would like to see modeled in our middle school.  Each house mentor has chosen a color, patron saint, and motto to represent their house.  These elements of the house remain constant from year to year.  Each year, the students make up a cheer for their individual house.  The six homeroom teachers provide guidance and support as house mentors.  This is a list of mentors for each house: House of Courage – Ms. Jenny Hempstead House of Wisdom – Mr. Ed Snow House of Chivalry - Ms. Agnes Owens House of Patience – Mr. Paul Nadeau House of Nobility – Ms. Laura Coristin House of Virtue – Ms. Anita Kealer All eighth grade students are eligible to apply for the position of house captain and are chosen by their house mentors.  Two captains are chosen for each house.  Applications focus on student involvement in the areas of community service, sports, and other extra-curricular activities.  Applicants are required to obtain two faculty signatures and the signature of the school principal.  The responsibilities of the house captains include: passing out and collecting point sheets, working with their house mentor in overseeing house activities, introducing house members to one another, acting as a student liaison between house members and the house mentor. The house captains for the 2007-2008 school year include: House of Courage – Rachel E. and Nicolas D. House of Wisdom – Emily S. and Jaime R. House of Chivalry – Amy M. and Garrett K. House of Patience – Amy W. and Alexandra M. House of Nobility – Alyssa W. and Kevin M. House of Virtue – Kaley T. and Sara N. Monthly planned activities attended by all houses focus on service, academics, the arts, and athletics.  This is an opportunity for each and every child to shine by offering his or her personal best for the benefit of the whole. Students wear house t-shirts as their uniform on house-wide meeting days. House t-shirts represent the individual houses by color and display the house name, motto, and patron saint. The house system is a part of our middle school curriculum.  All students participate in the program as it is not optional.  Because this is an academic and service based program for all middle school students we accommodate and allow time during the regular school schedule and operate on a shortened day schedule for the once-a-month meeting.  We shorten each class period by 10-15 minutes allowing for the one hour meeting one Friday a month.  We do this in order to accommodate the meetings while ensuring that no classes or curriculum are missed. The faculty has witnessed the positive impact this program has on discipline, peer relationships, and the student/teacher relationship. When all students feel they can make a difference, it creates a climate where students and teachers feel comfortable and confident, and education can thrive. The house system spotlights the accomplishments of our Ascension Middle School students and we are proud of their efforts and strength of character.  2007-2008 Schedule for House Meetings September 21 – Hosted by House of Virtue October 19 – Hosted by House of Patience November 30 – Hosted by House of Courage January 25 – Hosted by House of Chivalry February 29 – Hosted by House of Wisdom April 18 – Hosted by House of Nobility May 16 – Hosted by All Houses Please contact Anita Kealer at akealer@ascensioncatholicsch.org with any questions concerning our House Program.