Mrs. Irene Anderson, Director of House Activities

732-1945, ext. 302 ianderson@bishopgorman.org

House updates and point standings

Purpose:

The purpose of the house system is to further the mission of Bishop Gorman High School by creating a small school atmosphere where students are mentored by caring adults, and are provided with the opportunity for leadership and service to the community.

Goals:

• To insure that each student is known by at least five significant adults in the school community.
• To strengthen the school community by creating bonds across grade levels creating a greater sense of belonging.
• To provide leadership opportunities for a greater number of students, especially seniors who will serve as house captains.
• To create opportunities for teachers to develop their leadership, and to serve as mentors, helping to create a small school atmosphere.

Overview:

The house system at Bishop Gorman High School divides the school into ten houses named after Catholic colleges.  They are DePaul, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Holy Cross, Loyola, Marquette, Notre Dame, Seton Hall, Villanova, and Xavier.  Each house consists of ninety to a hundred students who were randomly selected.  All grades are included in each house.  Once a student is in a house, they remain in that house throughout their Gorman experience.  Each house has a faculty member who is the house director, another who is the assistant director, and four other faculty members who will mentor one specific grade level within their house.  In this way the students are known in a significant way to adults other than their guidance counselor or teachers.  The house is led by three senior captains who are assisted by two representatives from each grade.  The houses will be involved in a year long competition for points.  Points may be accumulated through a variety of experiences from intramural sports, various spirit events, arts competitions, attendance at school functions, to gaining points for academics and discipline.  There will also be several events during the year such as Trashique (a fashion show out of recyclables), to a speech competition.  Each house is required to have a service project, but no points will be given for service.  During this first year, we like to think of this house system as a work in progress.