Despite having been a Leader in Me school for less than a year, Beechwood Elementary showed off what the initiative has done for the school Wednesday during the first Leadership Day.

The day included a trip around the world, taking business owners, public officials and other community leaders to areas of the school modeled after far away places such as Antarctica, the Caribbean and tropical rainforests to learn about Steven Covey’s 7 habits: be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; think first to understand; then to be understood; synergize; and sharpen the saw.

Student Keashia Green introduced the crowd to tell them about why there were all invited to the school

“We are very proud to be the A Leader in Me school and a PBIS model site school,” she said. “At Beechwood PBIS and the leader in me come together to create success for all students in the areas of leadership, academics and in behavior.”

Green said the school’s motto “Bee Ready, Bee respectful and Bee responsible” fits perfectly with the expectations set out by Leader in Me and Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies.

“They both work hand and hand to teach leadership, positive behavior and self awareness,” she said. “Our teachers teach us expectations and encourage us to make sure that we are successful each day. At Beechwood we are using the 7 habits and our expectations daily so that we can make a great impact in the world.”

Before the guests set out on their trip around the world, students from each grade gave them a sneak peek of what they were in for, including first-grader Brandon Nailor.

“First Grade’s Habit is Being Proactive,” he said. “This habit means I choose my own actions, attitude and mood. It also means do the right thing, even when no one’s looking.”

Principal Tamikia Billings said the Leadership Day went off without a hitch and she couldn’t be more proud.

“It was an honor to be a part of The Leader in Me,” she said. “Our day just showed how we incorporate The Leader in Me and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies) to be a successful school.”

Billings said the program really got kicked off in August. While most schools don’t have a leadership day until the end of their first year, Beechwood got their presentation together early to be prepared for the symposium coming to Vicksburg later this month.

“It was an amazing process with the teachers, students and parents,” she said. “Everybody pitched in to help.”