The Hilldale Habits were chosen by the staff as the foremost tenants of what we want our children to practice and eventually embody. The three Hilldale Habits are Respect, Leadership, and Independent, Lifelong Learning. These are not lofty ideals; rather, they are the necessary building blocks of all our interactions.

RESPECT:

Being respectful means keeping a sense of others in the forefront of our mind in all our interactions. We teach and expect:

1. Using good manners (including responding when spoken to, saying “please” and “thank you”)
2. Making eye contact
3. Listening to the speaker
4. Thinking before we speak
5. Waiting our turn to share our thoughts
6. Using kind and thoughtful language
7. Greeting visitors
8. Keeping our school clean and safe
9. Wearing our uniform
10. Apologizing and making amends when we make a mistake

 Even when we are experiencing intense emotions, hurt feelings, or frustration, it is critical that we remember that all our actions impact those around us. It’s natural to have feelings, and many bright children have big feelings. However, we need to practice our self-regulatory (or “chill skills”) before reacting. And, when we make a mistake, we need to practice respect in how we make amends. 

LEADERSHIP:

It’s certainly not possible for everyone to be the leader; however, it is possible for all to demonstrate leadership in big and small ways. We teach and expect:

1. Going out of our way to be helpful
2. Showing kindness and help when others need it
3. Following class rules when others are not
4. Including others in our games
5. Being welcoming and helpful to all newcomers and visitors
6. Standing up to injustice or unkindness
7. Celebrate and learn from each other’s differences
8. Giving back to those who will come next

INDEPDENDENT, LIFELONG LEARNING:

In order to grow, we need to practice independence. This necessitates that we fail, lose, and make mistakes from time to time. Without the willingness to get back and try again, to have confidence in ourselves, we will not be able to grow as a thinker or person. We teach and expect:

1. Using our tools and resources to solve a problem
2. Making mistakes and learning from them
3. Taking intellectual and emotional risks
4. Identifying our areas of strength and challenge
5. Setting and making progress toward our personal goals
6. Taking responsibility for our choices
7. Taking responsibility for our belongings
8. Celebrating the successes our ourselves and others