Nov. 8 fundraiser for leadership program

“Teaching Tomorrow’s Leaders” isn’t just a tagline that sits below Salt Creek School District’s logo. It is a mission to teach students the “soft” skills needed to be successful in their personal lives and careers.

In a unique program, students in K-8 grades at Salt Creek District 48 schools will have a chance to learn and practice skills that will promote their leadership development.

“Leadership is rarely taught, especially in elementary schools, but it is a critical skill for students to be successful in school and later on in life,” said Salt Creek District 48 Superintendent John Correll.

The District is partnering with a Chris George, a leadership consultant and Coordinator of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement at Harper College, to launch the half-day curriculum and training program for students K-8, called “Learning to Lead.”

“The earlier we teach the underlying skills of leadership, the better,” said George, who is scaling the Harper (College) Leadership Program into a K-8 program. “Young students are already starting to form their foundation and personality,” he said.

To fund “Learning to Lead” for Salt Creek students, two groups have come together to raise funds -- the District 48 Foundation, called the PIE Foundation and the parent/teacher group, called Families, Teachers, Children (FTC). They will hold a fundraiser Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2-6 p.m. at Pinstripes in Oak Brook. Called Lanes for Leaders, the event will include bowling, bocce, auction, dinner and raffle. Tickets are available at http://saltcreek48ftc.org/

“We want to introduce the concept of everyday leadership behavior, said FTC co-chairs Jeanne Kingsbury and Holly Sloan who are helping lead the fundraiser. “That means you don’t have to be the class president to be considered a leader - you can be a leader by helping other kids in your class who might be struggling with their schoolwork.”

The skills that make up leadership are ones such as integrity, honestly, commitment, teamwork, helping others, and enthusiasm.

“We see these every day in our students and hear great things about our students in high school,” said Correll. “This is one of our strengths. We want to build on those strengths with a formal program aimed directly at kids,” he said.

Lanes for Leaders is also accepting sponsorships and donations. For more information call 630-279-8400.