What is a Leader in Me School?

7 Habits of Highly Effective Students

Sierra View is shifting focus to The Leader In Me program. Content from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a key component of The Leader in Me process.The 7 Habits is a synthesis of universal, timeless principles of personal and interpersonal effectiveness, such as responsibility, vision, integrity, teamwork, collaboration and renewal, which are secular in nature and common to all people and cultures.

	Habit 1 — Be Proactive You're in Charge I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking.
	Habit 2 — Begin with the End in Mind Have a Plan I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision. I look for ways to be a good citizen.
	Habit 3 — Put First Things First Work First, Then Play I spend my time on things that are most important. This means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan. I am disciplined and organized.
	Habit 4 — Think Win-Win Everyone Can Win I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’ Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives.
	Habit 5 — Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood Listen Before You Talk I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints. I listen to others without interrupting. I am confident in voicing my ideas. I look people in the eyes when talking.
	Habit 6 — Synergize Together Is Better I value other people’s strengths and learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different than me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than anyone of us can alone. I am humble.
	Habit 7 — Sharpen The Saw Balance Feels Best I take care of my body by eating right, exercising and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I find meaningful ways to help others.

Academics Plus History

The Chico Unified School District Academics Plus program began in September, 1976 at Sierra View Elementary School with only 4 classrooms. The program serves close to 600 students Kindergarten through 5th Grade.

Academic Focus - Academics Plus focuses on reading, writing and math, rounded out by a solid curriculum in writing, science, history, and geography. These are the foundations for all future learning and a successful career. Enrichment subjects, such as art, drama, and music are taught, but the fundamental program receives priority. Academics Plus at Sierra View has over three decades of success with this approach. The Program has experienced teachers with a common commitment to the goals and philosophy of the program, a record of student achievement, and a high reputation amongst parents.

Parent Involvement - An important element of Academics Plus is that parents are encouraged to actively participate in their children's education, and are given multiple opportunities to do so. Since Academics Plus is a magnet program chosen by the parents, they are typically enthusiastic and willing to be involved in the educational process. Assisting with homework, reviewing and returning weekly progress reports, helping in the classroom, and supporting field trips are just a few of the ways parents will be involved in the program. Numerous studies have shown that parent participation in education is the highest single indicator of a child's academic success, and therefore the Academics Plus Program highly encourages such activities

Focus on the Child - Development of the "whole" child is also stressed in Academics Plus. The program is designed to instill within each child confidence, a sense of responsibility, pride in accomplishment, and a positive self-image through academic achievement. Teachers have high expectations, challenging students and helping them to succeed. To accomplish this, the program emphasizes a caring and orderly learning environment, in which teachers and students treat each other with respect and dignity. Academics Plus believes that sensitivity to each student's feelings and individuality can be maintained in an atmosphere of fair, firm, and consistent discipline.

Joyful Learning Environment - The classroom setting in the Academics Plus Program utilizes whole group interaction, small groups, activities, individual seatwork and/or centers to help make the learning experience exciting and enjoyable. All aspects of the curriculum are carefully planned by the teachers to be engaging and imaginative ways for young children to learn. The mission is to spark a joy for learning, while building a foundation of knowledge and skills so that students become lifelong learners and productive contributors to society.

Sierra View Elementary Schooltitle