When the bell rings to call the Hyla community in from break or lunch, an amazing thing happens: The frisbee stops flying. The cargo net and ga-ga ball pit are evacuated with a sense of urgency. Groups of kids who have been talking with friends begin walking to their next class. No wonder kids like being the one to ring the bell – such power to move the masses to action. How does this happen? It is the power of a well-established norm. Other positive norms permeate the Hyla experience. Students know when they walk into math class that they don’t need to wait for the teacher to tell them to pull out their homework and discuss it with their table-mates. The norm has already been established, and is one they enjoy in that it gives added meaning and purpose to coming to class prepared with homework done well. Clean-crew jobs, be it lunch duty or chores at the end of the day become an automatic action at the assigned time. We can only wish chores at home were undertaken so consistently and without complaint. We hear from alumni that the norms of self-advocacy and vocal class participation serve them well in high school and beyond. The middle school years are pivotal for establishing good patterns that set the stage for all that is to come. We’re going to keep on ringing the bell and preparing Hyla students for the future.