Elmsford's Alice E. Grady School Celebrates Student Leadership

Students from grades 2 through 6 at the Alice E. Grady School in the Elmsford Union Free School District were celebrated for their leadership qualities Nov. 15 during a special “Leader in Me” ceremony in the school gym.

The initiative is based on Franklin Covey’s whole school transformation process, developed from Dr. Stephen Covey’s best-selling book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

The district-wide initiative, which has been in place at Grady for the past six years, teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and in the process, creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that any child can be a leader.

“We are excited to honor you and the habits you have exemplified, and to hear what your teachers have noticed in you,” said Principal Doug Doller to the students, referring to the seven principles that the students are expected to live up to, based on Dr. Covey’s findings.

They include the following: Be Proactive; Begin with the End in Mind; Put First Things First; Think Win-Win; Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood; Synergize and Sharpen the Saw.

The traits that a program like this promotes, explained Mr. Doller, include leadership, responsibility, accountability, problem-solving, communication, teamwork and more.

Before handing out certificates to the students, Mr. Doller read the comments that teachers had provided about each of them. Many said the students were helpful, enthusiastic, responsible, and kind. Some were singled out for being “true team players,” “listening carefully to directions,” “making a difference in the lives of others,” and “being good citizens.”

During the hour-long ceremony, the Grady band and chorus entertained the audience of parents, teachers and others. Sixth-grader Yuriy Krynoruchko performed a solo on the saxophone, as did Leahna Rodriguez, also a sixth-grade student.