The FISH philosophy is based on the ideals of the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, Washington.  The people who worked there, thought that selling fish could be pretty “stinky and boring.”  They decided if they changed their attitude about their jobs, they would enjoy work more and be happier.  They came up with four steps to improve their lives.

STEP 1 – CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE!  The men at the Fish Market could have a good attitude or a bad attitude about their jobs.  It was their choice.  They decided to take a different approach to selling fish and they became “World Famous.”  We can also choose our attitude about doing our schoolwork, even if it may be “stinky and boring.”

STEP 2 – HAVE FUN!  The men at the Fish Market sing songs, throw fish, and juggle crabs.  Business people and tourists come just to watch them sell fish.  They made a “stinky and boring” job fun for themselves and for others.  We should try to do the same thing at Scarlet Oak School.

STEP 3 – MAKE SOMEONE’S DAY!  If we do nice things for others, we will feel better about ourselves.  We shouldn’t always think of ourselves and expect other people to make us happy.  You’ll find that it is more fun to be kind and bring a smile to someone else. 

STEP 4 – LISTEN TO OTHERS!  You will get along better with others if you really listen when someone talks to you.  We should look at them and focus our attention on them.  We all want people to understand our feelings, but we have to do the same for them.

If you or your class gets a fish from a teacher, it means you have done something good or have been kind.  It also means that someone has noticed that maybe you need a smile.  You can try to make someone’s day by letting him or her “baby sit” your fish for a while.  At the end of the day, all fish should be returned to the office so they can be shared again the next day!