School Climate 5 Star Rating


West Side Elementary School is a PreK through 5th-grade elementary school in Rossville, Georgia, in the northwest corner of the state.

At West Side Elementary School, as a Leader in Me school, we believe that:

• Everyone can be a leader.

• Everyone has genius.

• Change starts with me.

• Educators empower students to lead their own learning.

• Our role as educators is to develop the whole child.

West Side Elementary School is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (AdvancEd).

Our Mission Statement:  West Side Elementary ensures high levels of learning for all students.

Our Vision:  West Side Elementary is a Leader In Me Lighthouse school devoted to educating the whole child. As a Model PLC School, we commit to creating a culture where faculty and staff members collaborate with one another, parents, students, and our community.

Our Value Promise:  Every child, every day, without exception.

At West Side Elementary School, as a member of the Catoosa County School District, we believe that:

• Our core business is teaching for learning.

• All students have potential and will be expected to learn.

• All students can learn and learn in different ways.

• Quality education is a shared responsibility by students, state, parents, and the community.

• A safe, orderly, and nurturing environment facilitates learning.

West Side Elementary Becomes a Leader in Me School

"Leadership is communicating people's worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves."

~ Stephen R. Covey

What is The Leader in Me?

Thanks in part to a grant from the I am a Leader Foundation, West Side Elementary School has embraced and implemented Leader in Me approach in developing a culture of leadership in our school-based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® by Stephen Covey.

Founded on internationally recognized and universal principles,The Leader in Me model emphasizes skills parents, teachers, and business leaders want and students need to be successful in an ever-changing society - skills of accountability, adaptability, initiative, self-direction, responsibility, problem-solving, communication and teamwork - and they are taught and developed in our students.

Developing a culture of leadership in our schools is about inspiring children to be leaders of their own lives; it helps them identify their own unique talents and abilities and encourages them to make a positive difference in the world.

The Leader in Me is not a program or a curriculum. It is an integrated approach to leadership development that will help our school fulfill its mission to prepare each of our students for success in high school, college, and career.

Our Leader in Me Journey

West Side Elementary School has already embarked on this exciting journey to inspire greatness in all of our students. Over the next few months, we will accomplish the following:

• Integrate a common language and leadership development approach based on the 7 Habits in every classroom

• Implement a "Lighthouse Leadership Team" to further develop and implement The Leader in Me Approach throughout the school.

• Provide training for over 60 staff members in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® by Stephen Covey.

• Complete Implementation Training for all faculty and staff.

• Collaborate with a Leader in Me coach from Franklin Covey to support long term implementation

• Obtain long-term support from the community to sustain The Leader in Me implementation for years to come.

We Invite You To...

• Visit The Leader in Me website http://www.theleaderinme.org/

• Read The Leader in Me, 2^nd Edition, by Dr. Stephen R. Covey.

• Ask your child about the 7 Habits.

• Visit the public library to check out The 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey and read it to your kids.

• Visit the Sean Covey website for 7 Habits games and activities for kids: http://www.seancovey.com/kids.html

• Print out the 7 Habits Tree to post on your refrigeratorHERE

• Begin with the End in Mind (Habit #2): Set a goal, track progress and celebrate! Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Dr. Stephen Covey.

• Model the 7 Habits in your family.

• Attend an upcoming 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families training taught by one of our school Lighthouse Leaders.

What are the 7 Habits?

Habit One: Be Proactive

• I have a "Can Do" attitude.

• I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I don't blame others. I do the right thing without being asked, even if nobody is looking.

Habit Two: Begin with the End in Mind

• I plan ahead and set goals.

• I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom. I look for ways to be a good citizen.

Habit Three: Put First Things First

• I spend my time on things that are most important.

• This means I say no to things I should not do.

• I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan. I am organized.

Habit Four: Think Win-Win

• I want everyone to be a success. I don't have to put others down to get what I want. It makes me happy to see other people happy. I like to do nice things for others. When a conflict arrives, I help brainstorm a solution. We all can win!

Habit Five: Seek First To Listen, Then to Be Understood

• 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.

Habit Six: Synergize

• I value other people's strengths and learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different from me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people's ideas to solve problems. I know that "two heads are better than one". I am a better person when I let other people into my life and work.

Habit Seven: Sharpen the Saw

• 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.