In the Belle Fourche School District, we take pride in empowering every student to become confident, active leaders both in and out of the classroom. We focus on developing essential skills that will support their success as lifelong learners and leaders who uplift themselves and others. Just the same as last year, students in the Belle Fourche Elementary schools this school year have been engaging with an online program called Leader in Me. During the sixth month of this initiative, we are recognizing students who exemplify the leadership qualities emphasized in the program. Each school day, our young Bronc students practice and study seven foundational habits designed to enhance their personal effectiveness, guiding them toward happiness and enabling them to lead positive change in the world.
The seven effective habits that our schools work to helps students build to be great leaders and role models include:
Our South Park leaders nominated and celebrated this month at our assembly for the month of February for their outstanding leadership skills included:
1st Grade Winner:
Our winner from 1st grade showed leadership using habit 4-think win-win by being an outstanding role model and helping others win by finding solutions. Her teacher is so thankful to have her in class! This leader is Loxley Martin Del Campo.
2nd Grade Winners:
The first winner from 2nd grade shows all the habits! But the ones his teacher sees most are Habit #4, think win-win when he helps classmates and peers settle disagreements and makes sure that everyone is happy with the result. He also uses Habit #6, synergize “Better Together” by making sure everyone on is included and works well with others. He is kind and caring to others and always stays positive, being a role model for all. This leader is EJ Zapata.
The next winner from 2nd grade is a role model every day! She is always willing to help others and cheer her peers on. She shows habit #2 with begin with the end in mind by always reaching her teachers’ goals and also setting and achieving her own goals. She also shows habit #1, be proactive, and habit #6, Synergize when she comes to school ready for the day and works alongside her peers. This leader is Maddison Ryan-Borneman.
3rd Grade Winners:
Our first winner from 3rd grade showed her leadership skills by using all the habits well. She leads with habit 1-be proactive by always having a positive attitude even when things are hard. She is a great role model for habit 3-put first things first and she is very hardworking and determined. This leader is Tilly Hoffman.
The next winner from 3rd grade leads by using Habit 1-be proactive by doing the right thing without being asked even when no one is looking and choosing to have a positive attitude and trying her best. She also shows habit of 4- think win-win by cheering on classmates and wanting to see them succeed. This leader is Dotty Hoffman
4th Grade Winners:
The first winner from 4th grade lead through using habit 2-begin with the end in mind and habit-3 put first things first. She takes her assignments and activities seriously by always giving 100% and shows self-discipline. She goes out of her way to help others and be kind, and she’s a bright light wherever she goes. This leader is Isabelle Freed.
The next winner from 4th grade leads by using many of the habits. She uses habit 3-put first things first by being kind to others and staying organized and having her work done. She is a great friend, she’s honest and makes things fun. She uses habit 4-think win-win by being able to work well with anyone. This winner is Harper Pottorff.
[Shown in photo: Students of the month for South Park Loxley Martin Del Campo, EJ Zapata, Maddison Ryan-Borneman, Tilly Hoffman, Dotty Hoffman, Isabelle Freed, and Harper Pottorff .]
We are incredibly proud of our South Park leaders for embodying these foundational habits in ways that highlight their unique strengths. This month, we celebrated our leaders with not only their own leader medals and certificates, but also a gift certificate for a free DQ Blizzard.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Belle Fourche families, school staff, dedicated students, and community organizations for coming together to provide the opportunities, tools, and skills that empower our students to thrive and reach their fullest potential. We are also excited for next month’s Leader in Me assemblies at South Park , where we will celebrate our hardworking young Broncs as they continue to develop essential leadership skills.
Great job, South Park Broncs! Your commitment to being outstanding leaders and enhancing your skills each month is truly commendable—keep up the fantastic work!