- SCHOOL OF FISH
Our school is a school of fish! One could ask, what does that mean? The Seattle Fish Market is world famous for something that is now known as the FISH! Philosophy. Twelve employees are world-renowned for making the VERY BEST of their rather smelly, freezing, intense working conditions. They decided to develop their own personal philosophy on how to get through each of their days well while at work. The FISH! Philosophy for schools was developed around their program. The philosophy has four basic parts to the system.
#1 BE THERE
This core value starts with the decision to be physically and mentally present in whatever a situation brings. Giving someone your undivided attention is "BEING THERE" for them. Learning takes place when undivided attention is given to the learning task at hand as well
#2 PLAY
When people are having a great time they are energized. Play equals students who are trying their hardest and enjoying the learning experience that is provided. Play is found in a group activity, or a presentation where they are focused and having fun!
#3 MAKE THEIR DAY
The simplest actions make all the difference! Saying hello to someone you meet in the hallway, listening to another's opinion even though you may not agree, showing others they are worthy of our respect, holding a door open for another are all examples of LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
#4 CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE-> -> -> OWN YOUR CHOICE
"WHILE EXTERNAL FACTORS MAY TRIGGER OUR ATTITUDES, WE'RE THE ONES WHO DECIDE-CONSCIOUSLY OR NOT- TO EXPRESS THEM. THOSE CHOICES AFFECT OTHERS. JUST AS HAPPINESS IS CONTAGIOUS, NEGATIVE ATTITUDES ALSO PASS FROM PERSON TO PERSON."
(SCHOOLS OF FISH!)
Friendship Is a Gift You Give to Others
Friendship is a gift you give to others and to yourself. It is important that we have people in our lives that MAKE OUR DAY!.....CHOOSE A GREAT ATTITUDE WHEN THEY ARE AROUND US!...PLAY WELL IN A MEANINGFUL WAY… AND WHO WILL BE THERE FOR US!
Something to think about in a lasting friendship may be to first take a look at what kind of friend I AM to others. Do I expect others to MAKE MY DAY FIRST and then I will be friendly? Do I expect others to ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE and then I will be happy and friendly? Do I expect others to first PLAY AND INTERACT WELL WITH ME and then I will make an effort too? Do I expect others to BE THERE for me so they have “earned” my attention in being there for them?
Friendships take personal, meaningful effort. They take time, patience, and hard work. Every friendship is an experience that gives you a chance to learn about yourself.
Friendship 101
~Offer a smile and maybe a kind word to make someone feel better.
~Be a good listener!
~Try not to judge a person. You may miss out on a fabulous friendship if you do!
“Other things” may absorb the mind of your friend (an individual)….family illness, loss of a pet, angry words from another….It may take their attention away from you, but that is when a friend steps up and gives them extra understanding.
LET’S GET FISHY:
Building Better Relationships
Friendships Require WORK! Even good friends find themselves fighting. No matter how it starts a disagreement can be fixed or at least really improved. Knowing how to listen and talk will improve a relationship and make it stronger…even when the parties involved are both really upset. Knowing this, one can already tell that friendships take work!
HONOR YOURSELF BY HONORING ALL OTHERS!
TIPS FOR TALKING IT OUT!
1. AGREE TO TAKE TURNS TALKING SO EACH HAS A CHANCE TO SAY WHAT IS ON THEIR MIND.
THE MORE YOU KEEP YOURSELF FROM INTERRUPTING THE BETTER THEY WILL TREAT YOU WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN. STAY AS CALM AS POSSIBLE, IF THEY “THINK “ THEY HAVE YOU ALL “WORKED UP”, THEY THINK THEY ARE “WINNING”.
2. DESCRIBE YOUR FEELINGS INSTEAD OF TELLING YOUR FRIEND WHAT HE/SHE DID WRONG.
“I GUESS I WAS FEELING LEFT OUT.”
3. TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE OTHER PERSON’S FEELINGS. THERE IS A GREATER CHANCE THAT THEY MAY TRY MUCH HARDER TO UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELINGS.
ASK YOURSELF WHY THE OTHER PERSON MAY HAVE ACTED THE WAY THEY DID. YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW YOU FEEL, BUT TRYING TO PUT YOURSELF IN THE OTHER PERSON’S POSITION HELPS OPEN UP YOUR MIND TO WHAT THEY WERE EXPERIENCING.
4. MAKE AN AGREEMENT ON HOW TO HANDLE THINGS IN THE FUTURE.
THROUGH THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE YOU MAY DECIDE THAT YOU WOULD RATHER HEAR THE TRUTH RIGHT AWAY AS LONG AS IT IS SAID IN THE RIGHT WAY. I DON’T LIKE IT WHEN… IT MAKES ME FEEL BAD WHEN….”I LIKE IT WHEN YOU TELL ME HOW I HAVE MADE YOU UPSET RATHER THAN WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE FINDS OUT “WHY” I UPSET YOU WAY BEFORE ME”!!!
5. TRY TO AVOID SAYING “ALWAYS”AND “NEVER”!
IT MAKES PEOPLE MAD AND IT IS VERY LIKELY NOT TRUE!
6. AGREE TO DISAGREE!
EVEN CLOSE FRIENDS MAY BOTH FEEL BAD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND YET STILL MAY NOT TOTALLY AGREE ON EVERYTHING. IT’S OK TO HAVE DIFFEERENT OPINIONS ABOUT “STUFF”.
BE THERE MAKE SOMEONE’S DAY PLAY
CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE~~OWN YOUR CHOICE
Are schools like fish tanks? What an interesting question to ponder. Many aspects are similar..................
- Each member is unique and contributes at some level.
- The environment is greatly affected by the inhabitants.
- Harmonious interaction among all members of the environment is essential, or danger may exist for some.
- All kinds of living things are needed to create a viable environment.
- No one member has total control.
- Change is inevitable-without change the system risks extinction. ~Michelle Karns~
Do we believe in and live out the following FISH concepts? If we do, we will do more than just recite these things-we will resolve to live these concepts.
- Listen to understand, not just to reply.
- Allow others to complete their thought without interrupting.
- Look for opportunities to ask others' opinion on topics.
- Join in and help the group resolve tough issues.
- Contribute personal experiences or thoughts, but do not monopolize the conversation or diminish others' importance.
- Listening equals silence; you can't be listening if you are speaking.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT-School of Fish
"Use wisely your power of choice." Og Mandino
Our lives are full of choices.
What can one do to make efforts to make good choices?
! Be thoughtful and informed when making a choice.
! Consider whether your choice is more likely to help someone or hurt someone.
! Talk through hard choices with people you trust.
! After making your choice, review what you did and what happened as a result.
Did it make something better? Would you make this choice again?
! Learn from your choice. Use what you have learned to keep making good choices.
What if the choice turns out to be poor?
+ADMIT IT. (Very difficult for all ages!) Be honest and accountable. Everyone makes mistakes-those who are dishonest or "get rescued" after a mistake learn little-except to find a way to blame rather than own the choice as a mistake/ those who are honest and take an appropriate consequence learn how to be successful.
+Do what can be done to make up for a poor choice. Learn how to handle yourself and others (through your mistakes) well. Your honesty and your people skills are among the most valuable assets one can achieve in a prosperous and successful life.
" Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously. If you can control the process of choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life. You can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of yourself." Robert F. Bennett
"Use wisely your power of choice." Og Mandino
Our lives are full of choices.
What can one do to make efforts to make good choices?
! Be thoughtful and informed when making a choice.
! Consider whether your choice is more likely to help someone or hurt someone.
! Talk through hard choices with people you trust.
! After making your choice, review what you did and what happened as a result.
Did it make something better? Would you make this choice again?
! Learn from your choice. Use what you have learned to keep making good choices.
What if the choice turns out to be poor?
+ADMIT IT. (Very difficult for all ages!) Be honest and accountable. Everyone makes mistakes-those who are dishonest or "get rescued" after a mistake learn little-except to find a way to blame rather than own the choice as a mistake/ those who are honest and take an appropriate consequence learn how to be successful.
+Do what can be done to make up for a poor choice. Learn how to handle yourself and others (through your mistakes) well. Your honesty and your people skills are among the most valuable assets one can achieve in a prosperous and successful life.
" Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously. If you can control the process of choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life. You can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of yourself." Robert F. Bennett