The Decatur Daily
By Bayne Hughes
Staff Writer
FranklinCovey chose Decatur City Schools as the first school system to implement “The 7 Habits for Highly Effective People” program in all of its elementary schools in an international effort.
The Decatur school board voted Tuesday at a called meeting to endorse a school system partnership with FranklinCovey and the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce.
The board endorsed the chamber’s plan to seek $300,000 needed for the Decatur pro-gram through private business and industry contributions.
$55,000 training cost
The school board agreed that the school system would fund the initial $55,000 training cost this summer until it is reimbursed through contributions. FranklinCovey will provide training, materials and online access in its part of the partnership.
FranklinCovey plans to pilot the success that Chestnut Grove Elementary School had with “7 Habits” in the other 11 Decatur elementary schools.
Vice President Sean Covey, son of “7 Habits” author Stephen Covey, said in a phone call from Cape Town, South Africa, that his company is expanding the program to 50 elementary schools in Asia, Canada, South America and the United States, but Decatur is the only model school system.
“We’re excited to partner with you on the elementary program as we roll out this pro-gram globally,” Covey said.
Covey said the company goal is 100 elementary schools.
“7 Habits” is a business management philosophy program aimed at business and industry. Director of Curriculum Jeanne Payne has been training Decatur’s educators in the “7 Habits” for about 15 years.
Now the schools are taking the program and using it to teach children good habits like working with others, setting goals, leadership and personal management.
Former chamber board chairman Donnie Lane’s company, Enersolv, funded the $30,000 effort at Chestnut Grove. He will be leading this chamber fundraising effort.
“As a parent, I know they’re teaching math, science and English,” Lane said. “But they’re not teaching the basic habits, how to manage your money or the value of setting and attaining a goal.”
Decatur’s poverty rate has been growing. Chestnut Grove Principal Lauretta Teague said “7 Habits” gives students lessons that many are not getting at home like responsibility, courtesy and dealing with others.
She said students also learn to set goals and high expectations for themselves, traits that build confidence and will stay with them long after elementary school.
“It’s changed the culture of our school,” Teague said.
Avery Cordell showed off his data notebook to the board Tuesday, and how it detailed his goals and progress toward reaching those goals.
“Right here, I wrote that I need to do better in math,” Cordell said.
He also proudly displayed a page in which he got all of his spelling words correct.
Chestnut Grove teacher Debbie House said the great thing about “7 Habits” is that it’s easily worked into a teacher’s daily classroom instruction. Teachers will have four days of training this summer and one midway through the school year.
“There’s no lesson plans. You don’t have to sit down and plan it out,” House said. “It just becomes a natural part of your language.”