Leadership starts at an early age Students at Four Oaks Elementary are learning the"7 Habits of Highly Effective People" FOUR OAKS-- Stephen Covey may not be as recognizable to children as Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, but that doesn't mean the 1000-plus students at Four Oaks Elementary School wouldn't recognize Covey's work. Covey is author of the book, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People". His book is the basis of a program that has been implemented at Four Oaks Elementary School this year. Covey for Kids, as the program is being called, is a 10 hour course spread over the first two grading periods of the school year. It is a modified version of the teenage edition of the book. Principal Cathy Truitt and Curriculum Coach Terri Sessoms researched and adapted the curriculum for their elementary students. The program is designed to help students develop into their personal best as they learn and practice Covey's habits, combined with Character Education traits and Total Quality in Education Core Values. It focuses on habits such as setting goals, developing into your personal best and putting important things first. "When students leave the school environment, it's their habits that make them successful. At the elementary level, we're trying to build these habits to give them the self discipline to be successful later in life," Truitt said. Truitt has conducted seminars with each grade level while Sessoms has led teachers and students through exercises to help students apply leadership concepts into their lives at school, home and in the community. In addition, students put together a weekly portfolio which allows them to reflect upon their best piece of work for the week as well as those that they feel could use improvement. Response to the program has been positive, Truitt said. Teachers and administrators are seeing students who are more proactive in life and students have commented that Covey's techniques make them feel more mature. Parents have been pleased with the results of the program as well. Covey for Kids is building a strong foundation of good habits which will not only help students succeed in school, but in life. "It's a foundation that needs to be nurtured," Truitt said. Fostering that foundation will reinforce the components of an effective future.
