Leader In Me

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Eagle Ridge Elementary is a Lighthouse Leader in Me School. This means our school follows and teaches the Franklin Covey 7 Habits program.

Leader in Me is a whole-school improvement process based on the idea that everyone can be a leader. This evidence-based approach empowers students with the leadership and life-skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.

What can you expect at Eagle Ridge as it relates to Leader in Me? You will see regular use of the 7 Habits language, leadership opportunities for students and parents, and school-wide events focused on the 7 Habits.

Why Leader In Me at Eagle Ridge?

The President of the United States once asked Stephen R. Covey, "What is the biggest educational challenge today?"

Dr. Covey responded with a transformational paradigm of the purpose of education.

The Biggest Educational Challenge- Stephen R Covey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XmYDrHw_mU

Family Support

Parents play an important role in helping their children develop a deeper understanding and application of the leadership principles taught in the Leader in Me process.

Here are some things you can do to help:

Set goals with your family,

ask your child how he or she incorporated the 7 Habits in school,

and use the 7 Habits in your own personal life.

Visit the Leader in Me blog for great Leadership at Home examples or theleaderinme.org/parents for other resources.

Dear Parents-

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year at Eagle Ridge Elementary School. We are excited to start another year with all of our staff and students. As many of you know Eagle Ridge is a Leader in Me school. This means our school follows and teaches the Franklin Covey 7 Habits program. The program integrates timeless leadership principles into elementary school culture and curriculum, providing students with practical character and life skills relevant for today's 21st century challenges. The Leader in Me provides our school with the vision and language to lead the school in a way that addresses all areas of development.

Eagle Ridge has a mission statement that helps everyone realize what our ultimate goal is for every student. Our mission statement is: The Eagle Ridge Community is committed to developing lifelong learners leading through creativity, communication, critical thinking and collaboration.

Our motto at Eagle Ridge is: Lifelong Learners Lead. Our goal is that every student knows their strengths and feels like they can make the Eagle Ridge community a better place by using their strengths.

A great way to learn more about the 7 Habits program is to read the book The Leader in Me by Stephen Covey or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen Covey. The Leader in Me book provides a great introduction to the 7 Habit's being introduced in a school setting. The other 2 books are great introductions on how to incorporate the 7 Habits into your own lives and into your family life. You may also visit the parents section of www.theleaderinme.org where you will find resources for parents and a fun student game area.

We will be providing you with an overview of the 7 Habits so that you will understand more about what your child will be learning at Eagle Ridge. We believe it is important to practice these habits in your homes so your family will build a strong understanding of the 7 Habits. As the year progresses we will be highlighting one of the 7 Habits every month and provide you with at home activities you can do to strengthen your family's understanding of the Habits.

Eagle Ridge incorporates the 7 Habits into every experience your child has at school whether it be in the classroom, the lunchroom, in the hallway or at specials. These 7 Habits will help your student realize their leadership strengths and build on them to become better students overall. The Leader in Me program is designed to be integrated into a school's core curriculum and everyday language so that it becomes a part of the culture and produces results year after year.

Once a month we have a Leadership Day for the whole school. On that day all the students will gather during their specials and learn more about one of the 7 Habits. Then, the teachers celebrate one great leader in every grade who has demonstrated great leadership skills. That student will receive a Leadership shirt and get their picture taken to be recognized in front of the student body. Every Leader Day after that the students may wear their Leadership shirts they received.

Your students will be embarking on a great year this year where they will be learning to set and track goals and learn to be great leaders at school and at home.

Thank you for your support,

Eagle Ridge Elementary

7 Habits Tree

7 Habits for Students

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is one of the key frameworks of the Leader in Meprocess. The 7 Habits help students learn and apply social-emotional skills. Additionally, the 7 Habits give students and staff members a common language and are essential in building a strong leadership culture. Learn about the 7 Habits in schools, or watch a free 7 Habits Webinar.

Happy Kids Habit 1: Be ProactiveHabit 1: Be Proactive:

-Take Responsibility for your choices and behaviors.

-I take initiative, I choose my actions, attitudes and moods. I don't blame others. I do the right thing without being asked.

-Book Suggestion: The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper- The Little Engine wasn't the biggest or fastest or newest engine but it kept on trying. When all the other trains wouldn't help, the Little Engine was proactive and a leader.

-At home help your child to “hit their pause button” or stop and think before they react.

Happy Kids Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind:

-Think about how you would like something to turn out before you get started.

-Plan ahead and set goals that make a difference and have meaning. Look for ways to be a good citizen and realize you can contribute to your school.

- Book suggestion: The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle- The spider is determined to spin her web throughout the story and has an end in mind to catch a fly for dinner.

-At home you can create a family mission statement.

Happy Kids Habit 3: Put First Things First

Habit 3: Put First Things First:

-Decide what is most important and take care of that first.

-I set priorities, make a schedule, follow a plan and be disciplined and organized. I say no to things I know I should not do.

-Book suggestion: The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone (or any version)- The Little Red Hen did one thing at a time and put first things first to enjoy her end result, the bread.

-At home help your child write down their responsibilities so they have a clear plan to follow.

Happy Kids Habit 4: Think Win-Win Habit 4: Think Win-Win:

-Everyone can win, it isn't just me or you—it is both of us.

-When conflicts arise, I look for a win-win solution, I consider other people and their wants.

-Book suggestion: Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister The little fish thinks he is the best and won't play with other fish, soon he has no friends. He gives away just one scale and realizes how good it makes everyone feel including himself so he shares more scales and is even happier.

-At home talk about ways common conflicts can be resolved where everyone wins.

Happy Kids Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood:

-It is better to listen first and talk second.

-I try to see things from others viewpoints. I listen with my ears, my eyes and my heart. I am confident in voicing my ideas.

-Book Suggestion: The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown- The little bunny wants to run away, but the Mother Rabbit listens to the little bunny and then seeks to be understood by offering assurance that she will always come and find him.

-At home help your child learn to listen without interrupting with their ears, their eyes and their heart.

Happy Kids Habit 6: Synergize Habit 6: Synergize:

-Two or more people work together to create a better solution that neither would have thought of alone.

-I get along with others and value other people's strengths.

-Book Suggestion: Swimmy by Leo Lionni- Swimmy uses synergy and leadership to come up with a plan to help a school of fish explore the ocean.

-At home practice working together to solve problems or complete tasks, help point out each family members strengths.

Happy Kids Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw:

-Have a balance in your life by eating right, exercising, learning and getting enough sleep.

-I spend time with family and friends, I learn in lots of ways and in lots of places and I find ways to help people.

-Book Suggestion: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats- Peter finds a lot of things to do on a snowy day from being imaginative, taking a warm bath, and playing in the snow, they are all part of sharpening the saw.

-At home make sure lots of activities are available from arts to exercise, also make time for family meals.

Visit the Leader in Me Blog for inspiration and resources. Learn more at leaderinme.org