Leadership Academy Students Help Make Igo School a Better Place

The following is part of the Foxborough School Committee’s Teaching and Learning Highlights as submitted by Assistant Superintendent Amy Berdos:

“Leadership Academy 2.0” kicked off the last School Committee meeting as the Teaching and Learning Highlight on May 18th. What is Leadership Academy 2.0 you may ask? It is one example of how students at the Igo Elementary School are developing and strengthening their personal leadership skills all while emphasizing communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity through seven important habits. Third and fourth grades students at the Igo Elementary School participating in this student leadership program meet weekly after school with their Principal Mr. Mike Stanton and guidance counselor Ms. Kristen Siddle to engage in activities the “Igo Way” which is a term used by students and staff to remind students of the values and expectations Igo students strive to achieve.

Mr. Stanton explained that the Leadership Academy is comprised of approximately 80 students and the focus of the program is to build leadership in students through a series of activities and opportunities inspired by the Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and more specifically Sean Covey’s 7 Habits of Happy Kids. The 7 Habits: Be Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind (Have a Plan), Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play), Think Win-Win (Everyone Can Win), Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood (Listen Before You Talk), Synergize (Together is Better) and Sharpen the Saw (Balance Feels Best) are the basis for the young leaders work.

Simply stated, their work is to design service projects to make their school and community a better place. These projects have ranged from presenting to kindergarten students about the “Igo Way” to activities centered on creating a positive digital footprint. Creating a positive digital footprint involves exploring digital literacy and responsibility as the students learn how to leverage technology safely and effectively.

Igo students present to discuss the 7 Habits of Happy Kids were Mya Waryas, Joe Bartecchi, Gianna Cuscia, Ava Kelloway, Sophia Sougaris, Brooke Tierney, Nathan Young and Jennifer Kalick. According to Mya, one these young leaders, “it is a lot of work, but pays off in the end.” She went on to share that it gave her a chance to help other people. Gianna said that it makes her feel more connected to the Igo School and a better person in and outside of school. Nathan agreed saying, “I’m a better person and make more friends.” Jen likes the community service aspect and Sophia said it is really fun! These happy kids clearly communicated what it means to lead by example and follow the 7 habits in a way that make sense.

Mr. Stanton explained that the group first began with discussing what a habit is and invited the Class President from Foxborough High School to come and talk with younger peers about study habits. The focus on good habits and how to learn and apply good habits at school, home, and in the community, accomplished individually or collectively, is the focus to complement existing remotional curriculum, Caring School Communities (CSC). The Leadership Academy fosters and highlights values of CSC such as interpersonal skills and giving back to the community she said. Students have participated in community service projects such as towel and sheet drives, the Dear Soldier program and the “Golden Hand Award” for taking care of their classrooms. These Igo Leaders clearly are well on their way as they are already leading the way at the Igo!