New this school year, the Springfield City School District’s Federal Programs and Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Departments created the opportunity for students and staff to apply for grants of up to $3,000 to complete projects related to leadership or student-led experiences.
Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the District chose to prioritize the value of student leadership and its potential to transform the school environment by utilizing ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ and ‘The Leader in Me’ models.
36 student and staff leadership projects have been awarded grant funding. Examples of projects include:
Updating the courtyard at Lagonda Elementary to include ‘7 Habits’ stepping stones and other welcoming features like umbrellas and furnishings, creating additional learning and community discussion spaces for students and teachers
Collaborating with a local artist to design a mural at Hayward Middle School that represents all students and clearly displays the vision of the school
Facilitating a ‘Leader in Me’ puppet show for kindergarten through second grade students at the School of Innovation that reinforces the concepts of the leadership model
Hosting ‘Merry Math’ events at Fulton Elementary in which older students lead activities with younger students to enhance their math skills in a holiday-themed setting
A majority of the projects are on track to be completed by the end of the school year.