East Prairie Elementary School provides our community with an enthusiastic, well-trained staff that is dedicated to providing a comprehensive standards-based curriculum in a safe and nurturing environment; where each student's individuality is valued and where all students, families, and staff are treated with respect and care. THE LEADER IN ME (2010 - Present) - www.theleaderinme.org
The Leader In Me is a whole-school transformation model that acts like the operating system of a computer — it improves performance of all other programs. Based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®, The Leader in Me produces transformational results such as higher academic achievement, fewer discipline problems, and increased engagement among teachers and parents. Better yet, The Leader in Me equips students with the self-confidence and skills they need to thrive in the 21st century economy. The school was officially recognized by the FranklinCovey Learning Center as a "Leader In Me" school in 2011 and currently continues their mission of creating leaders through training of the "7 Habits of Happy Kids" - adapted from Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
* Habit 1: Be Proactive® • You're in Charge
* Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind® • Have a Plan
* Habit 3: Put First Things First® • Work First, Then Play
* Habit 4: Think Win-Win® • Everyone Can Win
* Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood® • Listen Before You Talk
* Habit 6: Synergize® • Together Is Better
* Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw® • Balance Feels Best
PASSAGEWORKS (2006 - Present) - www.passageworks.org
PassageWorks is a practical, relationship-based approach to support students to increase focus and motivation, develop empathy and compassion, and experience a sense of deep connection, meaning and purpose in the classroom. PassageWorks practices and principles support the inner lives of teachers and students. Our school has been in partnership with The PassageWorks Learning Institute since 2006. EPES's former principal, Mellisa A. Heath reaffirmed East Prairie's experiences with PassageWorks through her written endorsement of the 2013 publication of "The Five Dimensions of Engaged Teaching." Written endorsement below:
“Parents know we will educate their children. What they really want to know is will we love them. Weaver and Wilding have captured the real reason teachers teach, principals lead, and schools succeed! This book is an excellent resource for helping create a safe container for children and adults of all ages to learn how to be “present” in their interactions, in their relationships, and in their learning. We live in a world where mass communication threatens to interrupt our every thought. This book will help guide you through the interruptions.” —Mellisa A. Heath, Principal, R. A. Doyle Elementary School (former EPES). All students and staff at East Prairie Elementary School embrace these two transformational systems within the classrooms, throughout the building, and into the community. The positive school climate of EPES is interwoven through the implementation of their Positive Referral program, which recognizes students' positive efforts in practicing leadership skills in their daily lives. "Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile."
-Vince Lombardi
