Happy Friday to you all! Last week, we celebrated our first Leader in Me Assembly by highlighting our teacher of the month, Madisen Burgers from our awesome third-grade team. …And this week, we want to make a proper shoutout to our students of the month!
In the Belle Fourche School District, we take pride in empowering every student to become confident, active leaders both in and out of the classroom. We focus on developing essential skills that will support their success as lifelong learners and leaders who uplift themselves and others. Just the same as last year, students in the Belle Fourche Elementary schools this school year have been engaging with an online program called Leader in Me. During the second month of this initiative, we are recognizing students who exemplify the leadership qualities emphasized in the program. Each school day, our young Bronc students practice and study seven foundational habits designed to enhance their personal effectiveness, guiding them toward happiness and enabling them to lead positive change in the world.
The seven effective habits that our schools work to helps students build to be great leaders and role models include:
At the start of our assembly this month, we were excited to showcase our leadership skills not only by recognizing our nominated leaders but also through the contributions of students who helped with the event! Embracing Habit #6—synergizing and working together—many Bronc students took the initiative to guide their peers to their designated seating areas during the assembly, using handmade signs to assist them effectively.
Our student leadership didn’t stop there; South Park student volunteers also stepped up to read the names and leadership qualities of our nominated leaders. As those students came forward to receive their recognition, medals, and certificates, their contributions truly shone!
Our South Park leaders nominated and celebrated this month at our assembly for the month of August for their outstanding leadership skills included:
Madison Braning (1st Grade): Showing leadership by using Habit #1 (Be Proactive) to control her own choices and be an awesome role model.
Jackson Staley (1st Grade): Being a leader through Habit #2 (Begin with the Ends in Mind) and trying hard to complete his work. He also uses Habit #4 (Think Win-Win) to help others in his classroom!
Louanne Fayville (2nd Grade): Showing leadership by using Habit #3 (Put first things first), not only in her classroom but out on the playground too. She prioritizes her responsibilities and asks questions if she needs help!
Dally Burman (2nd Grade): Leading by using Habit #1 (Be proactive), Habit #5 (Seek First to Understand then Be Understood) by doing the right things in and out of her classroom, and also by listening to peers and adults without interruption!
Mason Wishard (3rd Grade): Leading in the classroom using Habit #3 (Put First Things First) by understanding what responsibilities need to be done before others, and then getting to enjoy free time. He has an amazing work ethic and focus and sets a great example!
Emery Dobesh (3rd Grade): Showing leadership by using Habit #1 (Be Proactive) and Habit #3 (Put First Things First). This leader made sure her work was done first before moving on to free time and she listens and participates in her classroom!
Savana Schwender (4th Grade): Being a leader by using Habit #1 (Be Proactive) and Habit #2 (Begin with the End in Mind) by coming to school each day with a smile on her face and a positive attitude.
Maddix Dudley (4th Grade): Showing leadership by using Habit #3 (Put First Things First) to lead by doing his work right the first time and putting his best effort in. He uses self-control to make sure he’s on task and be a very kind classmate!
Plus - A special shoutout: To our student of the month who has strived and worked hard to have already completed our online literacy program Lexia Core 5... Way to go 4th grader Bradlee X Vaughn-Quinn for completing all of Lexia Core 5!!
[Shown in photo: Student of the month for South Park's Lexia Core 5 Completion award shown with certificate on the far left, followed by South Park nominated students of the month shown with their Leader in Me medals & certificates.]
Not only did we recognize some of our South Park leaders from each grade, but one North Park Elementary student leader was also nominated and celebrated for demonstrating overall leadership abilities in alignment with our seven Leader in Me habits! Our North Park kindergarten leader celebrated for the month of August was Christian Madrid from Orange door’s classroom! Way to go Christian for being a great leader and friend, as well as a motivated learner!
[Shown in photo: Christian Madrid with his Leader in Me medal & certificate.]
We are incredibly proud of our South and North Park leaders for embodying these foundational habits in ways that highlight their unique strengths. This month, we celebrated our leaders with not only their own leader medals and certificates, but also a photo with this month’s special mascot and a gift certificate for a complimentary meal at Applebee’s!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Belle Fourche families, school staff, dedicated students, and community organizations for coming together to provide the opportunities, tools, and skills that empower our students to thrive and reach their fullest potential. We are also excited for next month’s Leader in Me assemblies at South Park and North Park, where we will celebrate our hardworking young Broncs as they continue to develop essential leadership skills.
Great job, South Park and North Park Broncs! Your commitment to being outstanding leaders and enhancing your skills each month is truly commendable—keep up the fantastic work!
Please keep a lookout for more posts about the student leaders and teacher leaders of our assembly each month, and for future monthly updates on social media and on our website!