This October, our school community—students, teachers, and staff—is excited to focus on the Capturing Kids' Hearts Lead-worthy Trait of the Month: Self-Direction. This isn't just about following directions; it's about learning how to intentionally guide your own actions to become the successful and positive person you want to be.
What Self-Direction Looks Like
Self-Direction is the inner compass that helps us make the right choices, even when no one is watching. It's a proactive mindset where we take charge of our own personal growth and destiny.
For our students and staff, this means engaging in four key practices:
Envisioning Future Goals: We are challenging students to look ahead, think deeply about who they aspire to become, and what they want to accomplish—both academically and personally.
Taking Intentional Steps: Success doesn't happen by accident. Self-direction teaches students to create a specific plan of action and follow it, moving them from where they are now to where they want to be.
Strengthening Relationships: By taking personal responsibility for our behavior and actions, we demonstrate reliability and integrity. This builds trust and leads to stronger, more dependable relationships with peers, teachers, and family.
Regulating Emotions: A crucial element of self-direction is learning to manage and control emotional responses effectively. This allows students to handle challenges and disagreements calmly and constructively.
Putting Self-Direction into Action: A School-Wide Focus
Throughout October, teachers will be embedding lessons and discussions around the practical application of this trait in every classroom and on campus. We are encouraging everyone to practice self-direction by:
Partnering with Our Community
We believe this focus on Self-Direction is powerful because it's a life skill that transcends the classroom. We invite parents and community members to reinforce this trait at home by:
Encouraging Goal Setting: Ask your child what their goal is for the week and how they plan to achieve it.
Modeling Responsibility: Discuss a time you had to take responsibility for a mistake and how you corrected it.
Supporting Reflection: When a challenge arises, ask your child, "What was your choice, and what did you learn from it?"
By working together, we can empower our students to be proactive, purposeful, and self-directed leaders in their own lives, setting a strong foundation for future success.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to Capture Kids' Hearts and develop Leadworthy citizens!