Spotlight: South Seminole Middle School - Casselberry, Florida

I loved attending the South Seminole Middle School Leadership Day on March 31, 2015.  As I walked onto the school grounds, I was delighted to hear the band playing in the courtyard. As a northern person who expects snow in March, it was such a pleasure to see the students enjoying the outdoor school areas.

The middle schoolers were amazing leaders throughout the day. They did all of the speaking while their proud principals looked on from the audience. The day began with designated "Leadership Stars" speaking about how the 7 Habits have changed them. Samantha said she previously skipped classes and eventually realized that "... it was time to grow up." Eliza said she "used to talk back to people who were trying to help me." Shelby talked about how he got into fights and disrespected his teachers.  It was very touching to hear middle school students speaking from their heart about changes they had made in their lives.

My tour guides, Noah and Taylor took us on a school tour. Leadership is taught in specific classes called "Leaders for Life"(6th), "Emerging Leadership" (7th) and "Global Leadership" (8th).

It was a pleasure to see and hear middle school students developing into the young people we always hoped they would be. 

The proud principals looked on and yet never needed to speak.




Principal: Dr. Mia Coleman-Baker
Website: http://www.ssms.scps.k12.fl.us/

Spotlight: Harmony Community K-8 - Harmony, Florida

Planned Harmony community.

Harmony Community School near St. Cloud, Florida is the first K-8 Lighthouse School.  The school is just seven years old and was built in a planned community with lovely housing, a golf course, walking paths and manicured grounds. Jon Davis has been the school's only principal and has supported the value of the Stephen Covey 7 Habits even before the teachers were trained 5 years ago. Assistant Principal Dorota Micale has also worked at the school for the past seven years.

Mural that every student helped create

It is clear that the school staff honors student art work. On one long wall there is mural that every student helped to design and paint. 

Other walls display the art work of a particular student and painted with the assistance of all students from that grade level.

Every 1st grader helped paint.

Student Lighthouse representatives

Designed by a kindergartener.

Proud to display the habits

At the Leadership Day presentation, Alejandra was one of the student speakers and she also conducted the orchestra while her proud mother beamed from the audience.  Alejandra related that she was a third grader from Puerto Rico who spoke no English when she came to Harmony. Now she is an "A" student. She attributes her success to the warmth of the Harmony School Community.

Alejandra

Classroom Misions

The pre-schoolers gave us sweet treats

Leadership Day Wax Museum

Principal: Jon Davis
Harmony School Motto: "Where everyone leads by example through personal responsibility, contribution and hard work."

School Website:  http://www.hrcs.osceola.k12.fl.us/