Joseph Neal

Skills For Life

At Joseph M. Neal Elementary, we observe a "Skills for Life" program. This program focuses attention on the habits and attitudes children need to do well in school and life. We practice these habits and attitudes on a daily basis. We also practice The Essential 55. These are award winning educator Ron Clark’s rules for discovering the successful student in every child. Please help your child memorize the Neal mottos and discipline philosophy.

Essential 55 Rule 1: When responding to an adult, answer by saying "Yes ma'am" or "No sir."

Essential 55 Rule 2: Make eye contact.

Essential 55 Rule 3: Congratulate a classmate when a student does well.

Essential 55 Rule 4: Respect other students' comments, opinions, and ideas.

Essential 55 Rule 5: If you win, do not brag.  If you lose, do not show anger.

Essential 55 Rule 6: If you are asked a question in conversation, you should ask a question in return.

Essential 55 Rule 7: When you cough, sneeze, or burp, turn your head away from others, cover your mouth, and say "Excuse me."

Essential 55 Rule 8: Do not roll your eyes, tsk, smack your lips, or show disrespect with gestures.

Essential 55 Rule 9: Always say thank you when given something.

Essential 55 Rule 10: When you are given something, never insult that person by making negative comments about the gift.

Essential 55 Rule 11: Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness.

Essential 55 Rule 12: When grading other students' papers, the only marks you are allowed to make are an "X" and the number they got incorrect.

Essential 55 Rule 13: When we read together in class, you must follow along.

Essential 55 Rule 14: Answer all written questions with a complete sentence.

Essential 55 Rule 15: If you ask for a reward, you will not receive one.

Essential 55 Rule 16: Homework will be turned in each day with no exceptions.

Essential 55 Rule 17: When we are in transition from one subject to another, the change will be swift, quiet, and orderly.

Essential 55 Rule 18: You will make every effort to be as organized as possible.

Essential 55 Rule 19: When homework is assigned, there will be no moaning or complaining.

Essential 55 Rule 20: While you are with a substitute teacher, you will obey the same rules as when your teacher is with you.

Essential 55 Rule 21: We will follow certain classroom protocols.  We will be organized, efficient, and on task. 

Essential 55 Rule 22: You may bring a bottle of water and leave it on your desk.  Do not ask for a drink of water while a lesson is being taught.

Essential 55 Rule 23: Learn the names of other teachers in the school and greet them.

Essential 55 Rule 24: Flush the toilet and wash your hands after using the restroom.

Essential 55 Rule 25: Greet visitors by shaking their hands, introducing yourself, and welcoming them to the school.

Essential 55 Rule 26: Do not save seats in the lunchroom.

Essential 55 Rule 27:  Do not stare at a student who is being reprimanded.

Essential 55 Rule 28:  If you have a question about your homework, ask your teacher.

Essential 55 Rule 29:  You should demonstrate good manners during mealtimes.

Essential 55 Rule 30: After we eat, we clean up after ourselves.

Essential 55 Rule 32: When you ride on a bus, sit facing forward.

Essential 55 Rule 33: When you meet new people, shake their hands and say their names as you do so.

Essential 55 Rule 34: When you are offered food, never take more than your fair share.

Essential 55 Rule 35: If someone drops something, pick it up and hand it back.

Essential 55 Rule 36: If you approach a door and someone is following you, hold the door.

Essential 55 Rule 37: If someone bumps into you, even if it was not your fault, say, "Excuse me."

Essential 55 Rule 38: When we are on a field trip, there will be no talking when we enter a building.

Essential 55 Rule 39:  If we are on a field trip, it is a good idea to compliment something about the place we are visiting.

Essential 55 Rule 40:  During an assembly, do not speak and do not look around and try to get the attention of your friends in other classes.

Essential 55 Rule 41:  At home, answer your phone in a polite and appropriate manner.

Essential 55 Rule 42:  When returning from a field trip, shake the hands of every chaperone.

Essential 55 Rule 43: When we are on a field trip and we have to go up escalators, we will stand to the right so that others may pass on the left.

Essential 55 Rule 44: When in a line, walk single file, facing forward at all times with absolutely no talking.

Essential 55 Rule 45: Never cut the line.  If someone cuts in front of you, do not say anything about it.  Let the teacher know what happened.

Essential 55 Rule 46: When we go to a movie theater, there will be no talking whatsoever.

Essential 55 Rule 47: Do not bring food out of the cafeteria.

Essential 55 Rule 48: If any child in this school is bothering you, let a teacher know.

Essential 55 Rule 49: Stand up for what you believe in.

Essential 55 Rule 50: Be positive and enjoy life.

Essential 55 Rule 51: Live so that you will never have regrets.

Essential 55 Rule 52: Accept that you are going to make mistakes.

Essential 55 Rule 53: No matter what the circumstances, always be honest.

Essential 55 Rule 54: Carpe diem.  You only live today once, so don't waste it.

Essential 55 Rule 55: Be the best person you can be.