Eastvale, CA – The students at Philistine Rondo School of Discovery put their impressive leadership skills on display at the 2024 Rondo Leadership Day. The event served as a special opportunity for the school to open its doors to parents and the community to show off the great things happening inside. As a Leader in Me school, Rondo integrates the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People into its curriculum, fostering a vibrant environment of leadership among both students and staff.
The 7 Habits, popularized by Stephen Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," serve as the educational framework at Rondo. They are principles designed to cultivate personal and interpersonal effectiveness, the foundations of which are taught starting in kindergarten. The 7 Habits are:
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Attendees were treated to a series of student-led presentations that highlighted the school's innovative educational practices and diverse cultures. The day began with performances by student groups, followed by speeches from student speakers of all grade levels, who shared insights into how the 7 Habits guide their academic and personal growth.
Visitors were then invited to participate in a school tour, where student guides showcased key aspects of Rondo's educational framework. The tour allowed guests to observe how teachers integrate the 7 Habits into their daily instruction and demonstrated the school's emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education.
Goran, a 6th grade Rondo student in Mr. Rachunok’s class, expressed that his favorite habit is number 3.
“First things first is very important to me,” explained Goran, “because you put the work first and then you know that the important things are all taken care of.”
Throughout the day, parents and community members had the opportunity to engage with students and educators, gaining firsthand experience of Rondo's dynamic leadership development approach. The school's commitment to empowering students to take ownership of their learning and leadership was evident in every aspect of the event.
Attendees walked away from the 2024 Leadership Day with a deeper appreciation for the school's dedication to fostering leadership, honoring diversity and inspiring creativity. The school community that Rondo School of Discovery has built, reinforces its position as an innovative institution for student leadership and academic excellence.
To learn more about the Philistine Rondo School of Discovery, including its pioneering Mandarin Immersion Program, please visit https://rondo.cnusd.k12.ca.us/.