Imagine stepping into Concordia Elementary School and spotting kids from different grades, all wearing the same color, gathering together for meetings, lunch, or engaging in friendly competitions. It’s not out of the ordinary; it’s what happens in our House Teams, which are all about community and character-building! 

Meet the Teams   

Concordia ES students are part of a House Team that goes beyond their grade-level classrooms. Once a student is enrolled, they are placed into a House Team through the excitement of a lucky draw. Teams like Ionracas (Integrity), Yupaychay (Respect), Umoja (Unity), and Augatuaa (Grit) are all about fostering the values we aspire to cultivate in every member of our school community. When students embody these virtues, they score points for their team. But no worries if you’re not on top today—there’s always a chance to shine, as points are tallied quarterly. 

Why those unique names? Our teachers picked them from lesser-known languages like Gaelic, Quechuan, Swahili, and Samoan. By avoiding widely used languages, we make sure no student feels excluded because their language isn't represented. It's all about fairness and making every student feel valued.   

Building Bonds 

This is a great way to give students the chance to feel connections and build relationships with students in other grades, but also a great way for students to get to know other teachers. “I love walking through the hallway as a 3rd grade teacher and being stopped by 1st graders who want to do the Ionracas handshake. It’s been a great way for our students and teachers to get to know each other well!” says ES teacher Ms. Kara Minor.     

And the fun doesn't stop there—parents are in on the action too! Families are all part of the same House Team, cheering on their kids and diving into the exciting activities taking place on campus. 

From assemblies to art projects, handshakes to dance breaks, there’s always an opportunity to bring everyone closer and build team identity. 

Virtues in Action 

The real magic happens when students start living out the values they represent. As Ms. Martha Seibel notes, “I can see that students feel comfortable and safe, feeling that everyone is valuable. It's heartwarming to see them support each other, knowing they're all valued members of one community.”   

In a recent assembly, one student said, “I earned a house point when I showed integrity by lining up quietly when the recess ended.” It is so great to see students recognizing the importance of each virtue and finding ways to apply those virtues in their own lives!