The Mustang Way

The Mustang Way at Cherry Hill Elementary

Cherry Hill Mustangs

June 30, 2025

The Mustang Way Explained

Respect:

  1. Active listening

  2. Following classroom rules

  3. Being honest

  4. Respecting others space

  5. Respecting others possessions

  6. Respecting authority

Respect is to honor and to show consideration and value to people, property, the environment, and yourself.

Self-Mastery

  1. Controlling impulsive behavior

  2. Using an appropriate voice level

  3. Keeping arms, feet, and hands to self

  4. Controlling anger, frustration, and other negative emotions

  5. Dealing with boredom constructively

  6. Calming down and self-regulation

  7. Conflict resolution

Self-mastery is being aware of your feelings and actions and responding appropriately.

Compassion

  1. Demonstrating kindness to others

  2. Giving compliments

  3. Avoiding complaining

  4. Making friends

  5. Empathy

  6. Including others

  7. Cultural awareness

  8. Helping others

  9. Self-kindness

 Compassion is caring about others and showing you care with kindness and concern.

Resilience

  1. Growth mindset

  2. Grit

  3. Staying positive

  4. Keeping promises

  5. Not giving up

Resilience is the ability to handle stress positively and bounce back from hard things by trying again.


The Mustang Way



Why do we have rules and expectations?

  • Maintain safe and effective learning environment.

  • We are here to learn and be successful students

  • Avoid time we spend away from instruction to correct misbehaviors.

Playground

Respect

  • Leave snow/rocks/wood chips alone

  • Obey the adults

  • Take care of the equipment

  • Put garbage in the trash cans

Self-Mastery

  • Use appropriate language

  • Line up quickly when bell rings

  • Keep hands and feet to self

  • Follow game rules

Compassion

  • Invite others to play

  • Don’t hurt others

  • Be friendly

Resilience

  • Walk away instead of having a negative reaction

  • Wait patiently for your turn

  • Try and learn new things

Hallways

Respect

  • Single file line

  • Stay to the right

  • Walk at all times

  • Listen to the teacher or other adults

Self-Mastery

  • Go straight there, don’t waste time

  • Face forward

  • Don’t open doors and let others in

  • Keep hands and feet to yourself

Compassion

  • Students remain silent

  • Pay attention to others and be kind

Resilience

  • Fix your behavior when asked without getting upset

Restrooms

Respect

  • Keep the bathroom clean

  • Respect others’ space and privacy

  • Flush the toilet

  • Wash your hands

Self-Mastery

  • Only go when necessary

  • Use a quiet voice

  • Return to class quickly

Compassion

  • Show kindness to others

  • Respect others privacy

Resilience

  • Only use the restroom when you need it and not to avoid classwork

Line Up Expectations

Respect 

  • Line up at your assigned spot

  • Be in line on time

Self-Mastery

  • Keep your hands and feet to yourself

  • Speak quietly

Compassion

  • Keep track of your belongings

  • Speak kindly to others

Resilience

  • Be ready to go

Lunchroom

Respect 

  • Use an inside voice

  • Clean up your eating area

  • Listen to the adults

  • Don’t throw food or make a mess

Self-Mastery

  • Stay at your assigned table

  • Stay seated until you are excused

  • All food stays inside the lunchroom

Compassion

  • Treat others with kindness

  • Don’t take food from others

  • Allow others to sit by you

Resilience

  • Fix your behavior when asked, without getting upset

  • Wait until you are excused

Assemblies

Respect

  • Be silent when asked

  • Don’t whisper or talk

  • Clap when appropriate

Self-Mastery

  • Sit on your pockets 

  • Keep your hands and feet to yourself

  • Listen attentively

Compassion

  • Pay attention and be focused

  • Help others pay attention

Resilience

  • Respond appropriately

  • Apply what I am learning

Classrooms

Respect

Self-Mastery

Compassion 

Resilience


Discussion Items for teachers, parents, classrooms, etc…

Respect

  1. What does respect mean to you?

  2. How can you show respect to all of the adults at the school (the teachers, custodians, aides, the librarian, secretaries, etc..)?

  3. How can you show respect to your friends and classmates?

  4. How can you show respect for the school and grounds?

Self-Mastery

  1. What does self-mastery mean to you?

  2. What can you do to help control your emotions and your reactions?

  3. What can you do to control your body? To keep your hands and feet to yourself? To watch what you say and the language you use?

  4. What is your plan if you struggle or have a friend who struggles with it?

Compassion

  1. What does compassion mean to you?

  2. What are some examples of compassion you have seen in yourself and others?

  3. How would you show compassion to your friends, family, teachers, etc..

  4. If someone needed help, what would you do?

Resilience

  1. What does resilience mean to you?

  2. What goals do you have for yourself for school this year?

  3. What do you think you are good at or not good at, and how can you improve?

  4. What do you think would be something new you would like to try this year?