Last week, Edmonds’ Westgate Elementary held an annual “Leader In Me Assembly” to show the Edmonds community how it is preparing the leaders of tomorrow and to celebrate important milestones the school has reached. At Westgate, preliminary results indicate disciplinary referrals are down. Students are “staying on task” for longer periods. The overall school climate has improved, although the school has 26 languages spoken in our school and the learning environment can be challenging at times.

What’s behind these changes? Teachers and administrators credit “The Leader in Me” program, now in its second year at Westgate. (My Edmonds News reported on the launch of the program in this story last year.)

Based on Stephen Covey’s best-selling “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” the International program is designed to give children the skills and confidence they need to set goals, solve problems and take the initiative. Children also learn the importance of creativity, communication and cross-cultural skills.

Many Westgate parents have been impressed with their children saying things like, “First things first,” and “Be proactive.”
Westgate was one of only 22 schools in Washington state to receive Leader in Me funding – from the Leader in Me Foundation, Panda Express and the school’s PSO (Parent Staff Organization).

— Story submitted by Tanyalux Hodson, Westgate Elementary parent