Door Etiquette
When you enter the SmartKids, what should you do when you get to the door?
Answer: Knock properly and make sure you aren't leaving the door open or letting people in who aren't supposed to enter. Walk in respectfully to the hallway.
Why do we check in when we arrive?
Answer: So Ms Claire and Ms Luna know who is here and so we can safely account for everyone.
Does being respectful mean you can't speak your mind or have your own opinion?
Answer: No. You are allowed to speak freely, disagree, joke around, and express yourself. The expectation is that you do it respectfully.
Answer: No. You are allowed to speak freely, disagree, joke around, and express yourself. The expectation is that you do it respectfully.
When phones and Chromebooks aren't allowed, what should you do with them?
Answer: Put them away according to SmartKids expectations and don't use them until you're given permission.
Why do we have House Rules?
Answer: House Rules help keep our space safe, respectful, clean, organized, and enjoyable for everyone.
You arrive and no one is at the door. What is the respectful thing to do?
Answer: Wait till someone comes to answer the door, and enter appropriately instead of pushing or rushing through.
Name one way you can earn a Star.
Answer: Door etiquette, checking in, being respectful, staying off phones/Chromebooks when they're not allowed, joining activities, participating in homework time, and completing chores
What's the difference between “speaking freely” and constantly using cuss words toward other students?
Answer: Speaking freely means expressing yourself and your opinions while still respecting others. Constantly cussing at peers can become disrespectful, insulting, disruptive, or make others uncomfortable.
True or False: Checking one quick text doesn't count as using your phone.
Answer: False. If phones aren't allowed, checking a text is still using the phone.
You receive two warnings for continuing to disrespect or cuss at peers after being told to stop. What happens next?
Answer: If the SmartKids expectation is that two warnings result in being asked to leave for the day, the student will be asked to leave for the day.
True or False: We can hold the door open for anyone who wants to come in because we're being nice.
Answer: False. Being respectful doesn't mean ignoring safety rules. Only people who are supposed to be at SmartKids should be allowed in.
True or False: You can earn a Star even if you don't participate because you showed up.
Answer: False. Showing up is important, but Stars are earned by meeting the program expectations.
True or False: “I'm just being myself” is an excuse for constantly cussing at or insulting other students.
Answer: False. You can be yourself and still be expected to use appropriate language and treat people with respect.
Why do we have times when phones and Chromebooks aren't allowed?
Answer: To help everyone focus, participate, interact with others, complete responsibilities, and be present in the program.
What is one responsibility you have as a student at SmartKids?
Answer: Following SmartKids expectations, participating in activity and homework time, respecting others, completing your chores, and helping keep the SmartKids space clean and positive.
Name two examples of good door etiquette.
Answer: Examples include closing the door, waiting in the hallway respectfully, not slamming the door, not banging on the door to be let in, and not letting unknown people enter.
If you make a mistake during SmartKids, does one mistake automatically mean you can't earn any Stars?
Answer: Not necessarily. What matters is taking responsibility, correcting your behavior, and making better choices moving forward.
SCENARIO: You're joking around with your friends. Everyone is laughing, but you're repeatedly using cuss words toward one particular student. The student tells you to stop. What should you do?
Answer: Stop. Even if you intended it as a joke, you need to respect the other person's boundary and adjust your behavior.
It's activity time, but you don't like the activity. What should you do?
Answer: Participate appropriately and give it a fair chance. If there's a legitimate concern, communicate respectfully with staff.
SCENARIO: You are assigned to clean an area. You do half of the job and then say, “Nobody told me I had to finish it.” What should you have done?
Answer: Complete the entire assigned chore or respectfully ask Ms Claire for clarification if you weren't sure what needed to be done. You also won't get your chore star!
SCENARIO: Your friend didn't come into SmartKids using the proper door and asks you to let them inside because “Nobody will notice.” What should you do?
Answer: Don't let them in. Tell them they need to follow door etiquette to earn their star. You should never help someone get around our House Rules!
SCENARIO: A student follows the rules only when Ms.Claire and Ms. Luna are present, but breaks the rules when there is a substitute person for the day. Is that meeting the expectation?
Answer: No. The goal is to make responsible choices even when nobody is watching or is present. Stars are about demonstrating good choices, not finding ways to avoid getting caught.
A student says, “But I wasn't talking TO them—I was just cussing while they were standing there.” Does that automatically make the language okay?
Answer: No. Context matters. Students are expected to use appropriate language in SmartKids environment and avoid creating a disrespectful or disruptive atmosphere.
SCENARIO: You don't want to participate, so you pretend to be busy doing something else and secretly use your phone. What's wrong with this?
Answer: You're avoiding the expectation instead of following it. You should participate, ask staff appropriately if you have a concern, and keep your phone put away.
What does it mean to “take advantage” of the House Rules?
Answer: It means looking for loopholes, technicalities, or ways around a rule so you can do something you know goes against the purpose of the expectation.