(RICHMOND, Va.)—The Rainbow Station school system just incorporated “The Leader in Me” initiative into its preschool core curriculum in its Richmond-area and Haymarket schools, announced the school’s founder and CEO Gail Johnson.
The private school and emergency back-up care facility for mildly ill children with nine campuses across the nation including four in the Richmond locations in Boulders, Hanover, Three Chopt, and Wyndham is the first early education program to implement the program on this scale. “The Leader in Me” is based on the best-selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, and is designed to help students be successful in the 21st Century.
The character and life skills designed to nurture students into being positive influences in the 21st Century society currently being incorporated into the schools’ newly adapted culture and curriculum include--
Habit 1: Be Proactive • You're in Charge
Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind • Have a Plan
Habit 3: Put First Things First • Work First, Then Play
Habit 4: Think Win-Win • Everyone Can Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood • Listen Before You Talk
Habit 6: Synergize • Together Is Better
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw • Balance Feels Best
“We have been exploring different programs to develop the highest level of leadership and confidence in our students, and I think ‘The Leader in Me’ is the clear gold standard for teaching these skills,” explained Johnson. “It’s not only the best academically, but it also has the most entertaining lesson plans for the students, who will really enjoy doing this. Parents are very intrigued about the program and supportive. I think this is going to be a great journey.”
The schools are now reading “The 7 Habits of Happy Kids” to teach the principles, recognizing and positively reinforcing students who demonstrate the 7 principles, and using Covey language in the classroom to reinforce the seven principles.
The remaining schools across Virginia, Texas and North Carolina are slated to implement the Leader In Me program next year.
Rainbow Station offers nursery schools and preschools with extended day programming including before- and after-school programs and summer camps for children ages 0-14. Additional information on Rainbow Station is available on its website, www.rainbowstation.org
