This school year, as a component of its teachings of Stephen Covey’s “Leader in Me” philosophy and the Habits of Happy Kids, Manor Oaks School has launched a new leadership and student-jobs initiative: the Lighthouse Leadership program.
The Building Level Team and the Manor Oaks School community joined together to create this year’s ongoing theme: “Let the 7 (now 8) Habits Be Your Guide,” with a lighthouse and ocean theme.
The Lighthouse Leadership program supports the eighth habit of “Find Your Voice and Inspire Others to Find Theirs.”
The student council created job opportunities for students in grades K-6, led assemblies on the program and job responsibilities, and reviewed student applications.
The students are paid for their jobs with a “check” signed by the student council, which they can then cash in for Lighthouse Bucks to purchase school supplies or activities. The positions are offered for varying times, from one month to the duration of the school year, to allow new students to try the jobs or for students to hone their skills in their current jobs until June.
The Lighthouse Leadership jobs include:
-The announcer (ticket caller) picks and announces the students who won the lunch ticket.
-Event planner, who creates flyers for events, plans spirit or themed days and assists in setting up events.
Hallway/morning greeters welcome everyone to the building each morning and help students carry their belongings to class.
-Library shelf organizer, who helps organize the library books and ensure they are neat and in their correct places on the shelves.
-The lost and found helper goes class-to-class with the card showing the missing items, adds items to the lost and found pile, and makes sure the pile is organized.
-Mail carrier, who delivers mail from the main office to classrooms.
-The recycling team shares recycling facts through monthly videos, plans Earth Day activities, and began an initiative to bring recycling back into schools.
-Safety patrol, who makes sure the hallway is clear and that students walk calmly to their classrooms.
-Tour guide/welcome committee, who leads parents and visitors around the building during school events and helps new students feel welcome.
-The video production team will create videos to share with the school.
-Tech squad, who helps students with tech issues on their Chromebooks.
-Equipment squad, who assists in organizing the recess and gym equipment.
“As young leaders, students will become more active, engaged partners in the school community, build their self-confidence and become more responsible,” principal Jane Ruthkowski said. “They will learn to listen to new ideas, work together to achieve results, and motivate one another to do their best for the school community and peers.”
