Palmerton Elementary students develop leadership skills

Throughout the school year, staff and students at S. S. Palmer Elementary School and Parkside Education Center in the Palmerton Area School District have been learning about the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People through a leadership model called Leader in Me. Habit #7 is Sharpen the Saw, which focuses on self-renewal so that you are mentally and physically prepared to learn and grow.

As a way to take the time to find the balance between work, school, and fun, both schools held a Sharpen the Saw Day. This day was filled with a variety of fun indoor and outdoor activities for students to choose from including the following:

Board and card games
Outdoor scavenger hunt
Glow activities
Go Noodle dance party
Nature walk
Sidewalk chalk drawing
Kickball
Karaoke
Lego/STEM activities
Painting
Jeopardy
Marbles and mazes
Friendship bracelets
Minecraft inspired crafts
Kids workout classes
Improv comedy
Parachute games
Flipbook animation
Crafting
Corn hole
Badminton
Ozobots
Basketball
and much, much more!

Principal Ralph Andrews said, “Our Leader in Me Staff Lighthouse Team did an amazing job organizing our Sharpen the Saw event. The Student Lighthouse Team did a fabulous job creating excitement around the day even though they weren’t sure what to expect. The faculty’s effort and enthusiasm paired with a sunshine-filled day made for a special afternoon to sharpen our saws!”