Our Leadership Program: Building Character in 7th & 8th Graders
By HELENE DEBELAK
Each week students practice leadership in a chosen sphere of help within the school. Mr. Tim LaBar oversees the program and provides guidance to the students. Throughout the year, students are actively engaged in the application of the following principles:
Character development is a vital aspect of our mission at Birchwood School of Hawken and the Leadership Program for seventh- and eighth-graders is the capstone opportunity for students to showcase the habits they have built over their years at Birchwood.
Each week students practice leadership in a chosen sphere of help within the school. Mr. Tim LaBar oversees the program and provides guidance to the students. Throughout the year, students are actively engaged in the application of the following principles:
• Students in middle school have the desire to lead and will expend much energy to do so when they feel that their jobs are truly helpful and of service. In turn, this experience enhances their feelings of self-esteem and school pride.
• In each realm, some operation or person is depending on them. Through these authentic endeavors, students learn what it means to bear responsibility.
• When given the chance to make mistakes, students learn that po- sitions of leadership take measures of patience, sobriety, kindness, and understanding. It is safe to practice and make mistakes so that these characteristics can be habituated through a cycle of practice.
• There is a relationship between responsibility and freedom. With ever more responsibility there is ever more freedom to move about the building and use time flexibly. When mistakes are made, the freedoms are limited and when lessons are relearned, the freedoms can be expanded.
• Given opportunities, ever greater amounts of responsibility can be entrusted to students. Students revolve through a cycle of responsibility for themselves, then for realms affecting things, then for realms affecting other people.
• When opportunities are varied, students discover a type of leader- ship that fits them. Some students will shine the more they are asked to head up committees. Others will show great skill when asked to organize and manage data or produce programs.
• Students practice the civic idea that they should always contribute to whatever community of which they are a part and give back to whatever institution has helped them.
• The quality of compassion is a companion trait of responsibility. Students cultivate this trait through many small opportunities for service and by their assistance with school functions. They also participate in social service and relief projects that benefit the local community, veterans, and people in need in the world.
Here is a snapshot of our seventh- and eighth-grade leaders in action during the month of September:
The character team ... Julia helps Mrs. Bogden with our Character campaigns by posting inspiring quotes and character activities. They are currently inspiring Birchwood students to practice Com- passion by leading activities that care for and serve others.
The read-aloud team ... Suryan, Stella, Evie, and Brian have worked with Mrs. Owen to prepare and share fun books and puppet shows for the early childhood Seedlings and Sprouts to enjoy dur- ing their lunch time.
The gardeners ... Nikhil, Daniel, Sammy, Jake, and Samuel have worked with Mr. LaBar to keep our beautiful plants and flowers watered, weeded, and healthy in the front of the building.
The tech team ... Rodrigo and Nelson ensure that school printers are stocked with paper and also address cleaning needs directed by Mrs. Basmajian.
The marketing team ... Olivia, Ayah, Zora, and Jerry are using their creative eye to showcase our alumni in the main hallway.
The office helpers ... Marwah, Maliha, Leen, Maddie, Ashton, and Rockam have been a great help to Mrs. Bixler, organizing school supplies and incoming mail, delivering messages, and answering the phones during the leadership period.
The recycling team ... Reeve, Joshua (8th), Zain, Cameron, Niko, Mira, Nathan, Oscar, and Caleb have rendered valuable help to all by picking up paper recycling in each room and office and taking it all outside to the bins.
The Birchwood News Network (BNN) team ... Hussein, Kyle, Saanvi, Aislinn, Rhea, Leyla, Neeraj, Chrysanthi, Andrew, Sofia, and Kritika prepare and present the weekly BNN broadcast – featuring inspiring stories, Birchwood current events, and birth- day recognition for the entire community. Check out the newest episode each week!
Finally, Joshua of 7th grade is our new student ambassador. He welcomes all new families to Birchwood and hopes to see you at the many events the school hosts throughout the year.
We look forward to a year of attaining skills and growing character from our outstanding 7th and 8th grade leaders.
This article was written by Birchwood School of Hawken founder and Director of Curriculum Helene Debelak and first appeared under the banner of her "Mission in Practice" feature in "The Clipboard," a Birchwood community newsletter.
