In regards to possible house names, I have heard the following three main suggestions of what the overall theme of the names should be:
- The names of famous Charter founders
- The names of different types of tigers
- The names of different tiger attributes
I must say I am not fond of the first suggestion. I think it would be hard to get students to buy into the idea of joining Cooper House, or Montana House. Besides, how would we make logos for those names?
If we choose to name the houses after different types of tigers, then I think we’ll have problems when it comes to the overall ECHS identity of the White Tiger. We don’t want the House logos and names to compete with the school mascot…
Again, I like the idea of tiger attributes being the names given to each house, rather than naming the houses after people or different types of tigers.
10 comments:
Tiger attributes make sense as a proposal because they do complement the school mascot. If we go with this theme, I guess we have to include an "eye" name or it would be a major omission. However, I strongly urge that all of the House Heads, whoever they turn out to be, must sign a blood oath that "Eye of the Tiger" will not be inflicted on the other Houses as a theme song...Mel. (Seven Thursday nights each spring are sufficient.)
A definite "nay" from me on founder names, and I agree that the tiger breeds(?) would conflict with the mascot. But, I think we should keep thinking about House names. This is a good start!
I hate to bring this up, but, I think the founding fathers--Madison, Jeffersons, etc.--are the best choice. I said it before someplace else. Don't remember where.
If we use founding father House names, I still want to be part of Madison House! "Father of the Constitution" and possibilities for some catchy House nicknames...
ooooh - Founding FATHERS names for the houses.... that's a good one too. Madison, Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, Adams... which ones to choose from!?
I'm cool with the founding fathers idea or the tiger attribute idea. Anyone else?
I agree about the tiger comments, unfortunately--because they'd make some neat names. As for tiger attributes--to me, those would sound better as locations specific to each House. (One thing we kind of lack is distinct areas of campus for each House to be attached to.) For example, "House A, meet at lunch today at the Tiger Paw!"
I'll reiterate my reasons for not supporting the Founding Fathers idea:
1. I don't think the Houses' names should be explicitly tied to any single subject taught at this school; and these would be tied to social studies.
2. Some people (myself included, given my very sketchy education in history) will feel no real connection to Houses named in this manner. Again, even though Jackie says I have a lot in common with Madison, I don't know what that is, or what it is about Madison that makes Jackie feel connected to him. It's as meaningful to me as it would likely be to most other people were we to name the Houses Phosphonium, Sulfoxonium, Azomethine, and Iminophosphorane, after four kinds of ylides. I exaggerate slightly. I at least have a little bit of an idea who Madison was...but really, I don't know anything substantial about him. I would not feel much connection to a House named for a founding father; and I don't think most students would, either. In fact, I would feel sort of alienated by it--because of its focus on history that I don't know and feel no immediate connection to.
3. I don't think the Houses should be named after people at all, from any discipline; for much the same reason as #2. I know we're not doing subject-based Houses, but as disconnected as I feel to Madison, others would feel equally disconnected to historical figures I feel more connected to, like Newton or Mozart. Just because I am as appreciative of their brilliance as Jackie is of Madison's does not mean that other people will feel the same, or even know who they are. (We had an intelligent young man graduate this year who had never even heard of J.S. Bach! I can understand not knowing anything about him, or never having heard anything composed by him...but to have never even heard of Bach!?)
Therefore, I think it's important that the House names NOT be based on people or things tied to any specific discipline; or any people at all; because it is guaranteed to automatically alienate some people.
Jackie's list in a comment to a post from a while back that had names of ships had some ideas that I thought were good.
I think the names need to be either sort of generic but equally accessible to everyone--like the ship names--or else equally obscure (but cool-sounding) to everyone--like Latin or Greek words.
In fact, I've been playing with an idea that, even to me, sounds a bit cheesy--but it's based on the whole notion of emphasizing solidarity between Houses; that we are all one school and all Houses need each other. And that would be to find House names that start with E, C, H, and S. I haven't come up with anything really exciting yet; except that I have always liked the word "excelsior." I've kind of been looking at some Latin and Greek sources; but if we did something like this, we could use other languages, too.
Anyway, I do have fairly strong feelings about this. I definitely don't think the Houses should be named after people at all.
So again, from my perspective, the two possible sets of criteria for choosing names would be:
1. Positive, generic, accessible
or
2. Positive, obscure, cool-sounding
If we can't have the founding father names (and it's completely understandable why some people would not feel a bond to a dead white guy, no matter HOW brilliant), I think that we should give the E,C,H,S idea serious consideration.
As for title qualities, positive and cool-sounding are a must, and I think they should be accessible as opposed to obscure, if by obscure we mean nonsensical. Once this House system gets rolling, the titles, mottos, subthemes, colors, symbols - ALL of it - will be batted about, chewed on, taken apart, reassembled, and subjected to a thousand other natural shocks of investigation, reflection and affection as the students make them their own. Let's give them something meaningful at every turn that we all can use as touchstones to remind us of the higher purposes. Then silliness, sarcasm and squirreliness may abound without harm.
"Excelsior" is from the tales of King Arthur, of course. Perhaps we can look at different myths and legends from a variety of cultures to find some possible titles that are not affiliated with dead guys of any color. Excelsior is a sword. Maybe we can find other symbols or mythical animals.
"The game is afoot, Watson!" (To quote one last dead white guy...)
Is there any way we can use an actual phrase with four Latin words with the acronym ECHS?
Or maybe four tiger parts with the acronym ECHS....
I'm a little uneasy about Latin words that are too obscure...
Also (side note) - how can we tell what house a student belongs to if they aren't wearing the house colors? It's going to be very hard to pinpoint a lie when we are ready to subtract points and we ask the student in question what house he/she belongs to....
Today I spent time typing lecture notes for American Govt, and in the process had to briefly research some influential jurists. Oliver W. Holmes, Jr was by far the most interesting on the intellectual plane. (Wm. O. Douglas won the award for best scandals.)
Anyway, Holmes delivered a poetic and moving speech for Memorial Day in 1884 that recalled his Civil War experiences, "In Our Youth Our Hearts Were Touched With Fire." Reading it gave me a few more ideas for possible House names, mottos, symbols, themes, etc. This proposal builds on earlier ideas and takes into account the "no personal names" restriction. Sorry, JP: a few of the titles may be a bit obscure, but not after you are introduced to them.
One last note: "Excelsior" is NOT from the tales of King Arthur - that's Excaliber (sorry about that!). Excelsior is a Latin term made famous in a brief poem by Longfellow. (Where's that American Lit guy when you need him?)
Enough prelude, already! My proposal follows, based on the E,C,H,S idea:
EXCELSIOR (Latin for "higher, always upward"): This title evokes the ideals of duty and responsibility supported by the human characteristics of courage and kindness (audacia/humanitas). Its symbol is a SWORD. (In the poem, there is a banner but no sword. I think a sword is more fitting, but that's just my opinion. In any event, the title stays because there's no telling what Noah will do if we dump it for another "E" word.)
CONOR (Latin for "to attempt, endeavor, exert oneself to action"): This title speaks to the many different kinds of journeys we take in life, requiring rectitude and humility (iudicium/humilitas). Its symbol is a COMPASS. (By the way, I searched diligently for a Latin word beginning with "c" that is synonymous with "journey" or anything close to it - no luck.)
HALCYON (English word that means "happy, tranquil" with some connotation to youth and transience): This title describes the fellowship and joy shared during those school days which, although fleeting, strengthen personal ties through the qualities of loyalty and fairness (fidelitas/equitas). Its symbol is a GOBLET. (In addition, Whitman wrote a short poem entitled "Halcyon Days" which beautifully expresses the concept of impermanence.)
SIDERIS (Latin for "the heavens." If I read the translation guide correctly, "sidus" is the singular form which means "star" or "constellation," which is probably more fitting, but I think the plural form sounds better.): This title reminds us that, most often, inspiration's illuminating presence is revealed during the process of perseverance that transforms into creativity (instancia/varietas). Its symbol is a STAR.
As you can see, the House titles do not match exactly the symbols or the mottos, or the themes. My goal was to create four general concepts with different layers of meaning for each one. This makes for a fluid system that can be modified easily with other ideas.
Gentlemen, start your chain saws!
Jackie,
Excelsior for Excelsior House!
What I really like about your proposal is that 1) the names fit what I meant by "obscure." Not that they don't mean something, but that they don't have any immediate associations; and they can accrue their own meaning, in addition to what the names actually mean; and 2) that you've sort of put together a thematic package for each one, that I can easily see developing into robust, unique personalities for each House in the long run.
The Halcyon name is the only one I would hesitate about a little; partly because it bucks the Latin trend of the others; and partly because the connotation of the transience...I don't know that we want to emphasize that. But we wouldn't have to emphasize that aspect. However the name originates from the Greek...so a potential solution might be to find a Greek word for one of the other Houses instead of the Latin, so there would be two Greek and two Latin.
Anyway, I definitely like the basic idea...I like it a lot!
The only name I have a problem with is Conor. It seems a bit too common as a male first name.
CALCEATA is the word I would suggest instead of "conor." It means road/path, which suggests the same thing as "conor" but sounds less like my drunken ex-coworker.
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