DEWEY—A SEVEN HABITS SCHOOL

             Dewey has become a Seven Habits School which is based on the principles outlined in Stephen Covey’s book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Dewey staff and Quincy University students majoring in education have partnered to bring the Seven Habits to the young people of Dewey.  Washington School is also moving toward the Seven Habits concept.  At last night’s Board meeting, Dewey and Washington students and staff demonstrated the Seven Habits kickoff that begins each day at Dewey.  Board members and the audience moved to Baldwin School gym for the presentation.  Students sang “Don’t React-Be Proactive” and “We Know the Habits” led by teacher Vicki Mallory.  Different students from kindergarten through third grade are chosen to lead the morning assembly each day with guidance from their teachers and to present lessons dealing with all of the Seven Habits.    Dewey Principal Christie Dickens reported that the Seven Habits have had a positive impact on students.  There has been significant improvement over last year in the number of absences, tardies, and discipline referrals.  Student assessment scores have also increased significantly. The students at Dewey are learning to successfully interact with people and make the Seven Habits part of their daily lives at home and at school.

THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE ®

By Stephen R. Covey

1. Be Proactive. Being "proactive" means taking responsibility for everything in life.

2. Begin with the End In Mind — setting long-term goals and documenting one's perception of one's own purpose in life.

3. Put First Things First — a framework for prioritizing work that is aimed at long-term goals, at the expense of tasks that appear to be urgent, but are in fact less important. Delegation is presented as an important part of time management.

4. Think Win/Win is an attitude whereby mutually beneficial solutions are sought, that satisfy the needs of oneself as well as others, or, in the case of a conflict, both parties involved.

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Giving out advice before having empa- thetically understood a person and their situation will likely result in that advice being re- jected. Thoroughly listening to another person's concerns instead of reading out your own autobiography is purported to increase the chance of establishing a working communication.

6. Synergize describes a way of working in teams. Apply effective problem solving. Apply col- laborative decision making. Value differences. Build on divergent strengths.

7. Sharpen the saw focuses on balanced self-renewal. by engaging in carefully selected recreational activities.