Crossed Arms
The crossed arms symbolize the keys that unlock the gateway to friendship, where kindness, generosity, and purity are born.
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Student Handbook
Please review the Parent-Student Handbook for Orchard Knob Elementary for 2025-26. Click on the buttons to view the handbook.
House of Amistad
Amistad — The House of Friendship
The House of Friendship
About the House of Amistad
Amistad is the House that originates from Mexico. A group of kind but powerful individuals, Amistadians are known most for their unconquered spirit. This is why, in the language of their ancestry, their name means “friendship.” Incoming members are often a mix of extremes—our students can be extremely intelligent, creative, friendly, and competitive; Amistad is a very diverse group! Although it took the House eight years to win its first House Championship, the fierce spirit of the House never wavered. The House takes great inspiration from its symbolic animal, the immortal peacock, and the leaders always remind members that the fighting spirit of an Amistadian never dies. Members of the House are consistently challenged to self-reflect because we believe that, “Once the peacock finds its feathers, it discovers who it really is.” Therefore, each student is encouraged to find their own feathers and step into their greatness. While some students may enter the House lacking confidence, they will learn to embrace their authentic selves and master the gifts, talents, and virtues of an Amistadian. Once this milestone occurs, a student may earn the highest honor of the House: knighthood. As knights, they are fierce warriors, protectors of the realm, and guardians of the kingdom’s most valuable treasure—friendship.
Spanish
Mexico
The Peacock
@houseofamistad
Hand Signal
The Heart
Symbols and traditions of Amistad
The Castle
Anchoring the center of the shield, the castle represents our foundation of power and protection through camaraderie.
Friendship
The name “Amistad” is Spanish for “friendship.” We are the House of Friendship!
The Peacock
The peacock is our symbolic animal—a creature representing the heart’s desire to love and protect a friend. The peacock has a persevering spirit that never quits and never dies, just like us!
The Knight
The knight is the symbol of the protector. While the peacock sits quietly on top, the knight shows that fierceness lies within.
Red
Amistad is the red House because red is the color that embodies kindness of heart.
Meet the House of Amistad
Welcome to Amistad
The Amistad Spirit
House of Altruismo
Altruismo — The House of Givers
The House of Givers
About the House of Altruismo
Altruismo traces its origins to the rainforests of the Amazon, where a group of powerful Brazilians were given the name because of the Portuguese meaning behind it: “the Givers.” This special group is known for striking a balance between bold strength and altruistic giving—a team that knows that real power comes not from looking out for yourself, but from empowering others. They care deeply about lifting others up, but they also maintain a fiercely competitive spirit and pride. Historically, the House has been known for its smart and driven students, and Altruismo has produced more valedictorians per class to this day. Its members have been very involved in every club, committee, or activity that a school offers. Therefore, Altruismo takes great pride in being a cultivator of real leadership and instills a strong spirit within new members to grow into and live up to this legacy.
Portuguese
Brazil
The Snake
@houseofaltruismo
Hand Signal
The Quivering Shake
Symbols and traditions of Altruismo
Heart
The heart sits at the top of the crest because the heart is where kindness, generosity, and purity are born.
Diamond & Shield
The diamond on the shield represents the importance of protecting others with unity and wisdom.
Giver
“Altruismo” is Portuguese for “altruism,” or “the givers”—and that is what we are known for being!
Griffin
With the head of an eagle and the courage of a lion, the griffin is one of the most powerful of all animals, known for both strength and grace, fierceness and nurturing.
Black
The color black represents prestige and an elite quality, just like our kids. We are a House filled with talent, and we like to win. Black is also the one color that contains all other colors—representing our goal of empowering all others.
Meet the House of Altruismo
Welcome to Altruismo
The Altruismo Spirit
House of Reveur
Rêveur — The House of Dreamers
The House of Dreamers
About the House of Rêveur
Rêveur is a royal House whose name in French means “dreamers” or “idealists”—because the members who fill this group are students filled with freedom and wild abandon who recognize their dreams and will let nothing stand in the way of achieving them. This can be seen in the unicorn, which is on the center of the House’s crest, a powerful creature who is almost impossible to tame. Similarly, the House of Rêveur is a House of passion. Rêveur is the natural rival of Altruismo because, in the early days of the House Championships, Altruismo beat Rêveur by a single point, and they held a winning streak over them for three years. In the 2011–2012 school year, the wheel did not sort very many students into Rêveur, and so it became the smallest of the four Houses. But the staff House Leader, Ron Clark, rallied the students together and told them: “This year, because our House is smaller, we each have to be bigger. We each have to multiply ourselves this year!” That was the year that Rêveur, despite being the smallest House, went on to win its first championship. This legend is now passed down to remind students that the size of the House is not as important as the size of the hearts and efforts of its members.
French
France
The Wolf
@houseofreveur
Hand Signal
The Crescent Moons
Symbols and traditions of Rêveur
Knight
The open-visored helmet facing forward is typically reserved for the highest ranks of nobility. The knight is facing forward to symbolize having dreams and letting nothing stand in your way!
Unicorn
A symbol of freedom, healing, and beauty, the unicorn’s powers are both magical and mystical. Known for its freedom and wild abandon, the unicorn is extremely difficult to tame.
Dreamer
Our name, “Rêveur,” comes from the French word for “dreamer” or “idealist.”
Crescent Moon
The crescent moon symbolizes new beginnings and the making of dreams into reality. The moon also represents our symbolic animal, the wolf, because when the moon comes out, the wolves come out!
Blue
The color blue instills confidence and passion while releasing all fears and anxiety.
Meet the House of Rêveur
Welcome to Rêveur
The Rêveur Spirit
House of Isibindi
Isibindi — The House of Courage
The House of Courage
About the House of Isibindi
Isibindi is a tight-knit group of individuals, like a pride of African lions, where family means everything. The House’s symbolic animals, the mute swan and the lion, serve to empower incoming members. While new students might be quiet or shy at first, the longer that they are in the House, the more they begin to display the characteristics of strength and bravery. In Zulu, Isibindi means “courage.” The dichotomy of sharing symbolic animals between the gentle and beautiful swan and the proud and courageous lion is what makes Isibindi unique. It inherits the legend and influence of both Shaka Zulu and Nelson Mandela, knowing when to be strategic and creative, or when to go full force with power and strength.
Zulu
South Africa
The Mute Swan and the Lion
@houseofisibindi
Hand Signal
Who You With Sign
Symbols and traditions of Isibindi
Mute Swan
At the top of our crest is the Mute Swan, its beauty speaking volumes and its discernment a reflection of the storied tradition of Zulu leadership—astute, compelling, and unwavering.
Ebony Tree
The African ebony tree pays homage to the awe-inspiring beauty of the continent of our heritage.
Courage
“Isibindi” means “courage” in the language of Zulu.
Zulu Axe
The ancient Zulu axe, hewn in the time of Shaka Zulu, pairs shrewd thought with the power to stand firm in the name of protecting people and spirit.
Lion
At the center of the crest is the lion, revered throughout the world for its enviable strength and courage.
Green
The color green reminds us of the rich and abundant resources of Africa.
