LEADERSHIP - CHARACTER - CULTURE (LCC)
The Leadership-Character-Culture (LCC) Program is an integral part of Cornerstone Leadership Academy’s learning experience. The goal of this program is to reinforce our mission of creating ambassadors for the world. We understand that to teach leadership without character is dangerous, while teaching character without leadership leaves our next generation unprepared to face the responsibilities and opportunities to make the world a better place. It is also clear that the power of leadership comes with the responsibility of a deep appreciation for other cultures. At Cornerstone Leadership Academy, the tri-fold LCC approach is coupled with our emphasis on written and oral communication. Our faculty shares a common vision with regard to the importance of teaching leadership, character, and culture to today’s youth. As a result, the LCC concept is thoroughly integrated into our daily curriculum.
LEADERSHIP
Within the Leadership aspect of the Leadership – Culture - Character (LCC) Program, we help students discover and develop their unique leadership skills. The main components of the LCC-Leadership program area are as follows:
Leader of the Month
Each month, the faculty selects a leader who has had a global impact on society. This leader is then studied and analyzed throughout the month. Studies will include the leadership, culture, and character of that highlighted person.
Leadership Classroom Specials
In addition to the special weekly courses that include Spanish, art, music, and gym, every student will also attend a weekly leadership class. These classes include Public Speaking, PowerPoint presentations, the Art of Persuasive Speaking, Social and Environmental Responsibility and other leadership skills.
5th Grade Leadership Project
5th Graders will demonstrate their leadership skills by competing in a Persuasive Essay/Debating contest and completing a comprehensive Cornerstone Community project.
Leadership Experience Day
Students in grades 3-5 attend a retreat off campus and focus on completing challenging team-building and leadership oriented exercises with their classmates.
Leadership Speaker Series
Each month, Cornerstone Leadership Academy will host a community/local leader to share their unique leadership styles and experiences with students. These leaders will include leaders in the areas of government, public policy, education, business and community outreach services.
CHARACTER
In an effort to integrate the Character development triad of the LCC concept, students are encouraged to understand how character transforms into actions and directly affects behavior outcomes. The students receive direct character building experiences through the following activities:
Character Word of the Month
Each month, a specific character-related word is highlighted in correlation with the highlighted leader of the month. School and classroom activities are geared toward helping students understand and develop that character trait. Trait words may include such characteristics as honesty, obedience, willingness, humility, loyalty, responsibility, courtesy, respect, kindness, commitment or patience.
Classroom Character Instruction
Typically, teachers spend 5-10 minutes each day discussing the character-building word of the month and its implications with students. Teachers’ lessons include stories that illustrate real-life implications of the highlighted trait as well as discussions, motivational quotes, conduct assignments, enrichment activities, and relevant literature resources. In addition, teachers, administrators, and other staff members emphasize the word of the month frequently during the school day, using it to illustrate classroom lessons and reinforce behavior in all areas of the school environment. At the end of each week the teacher will announce a child who has received Student of the Week based on his/her character actions for the week.
Parental Involvement in Developing Character
Teachers and staff help parents reinforce and expand the character lessons learned at school by providing each family with a calendar that outlines the character word of the month. Students will take home activities that contain the words of the month, their definitions, stories, activities, and suggested family discussion topics.
LCC Banquet - Character Exemplification Award
Each month at our LCC banquet, we honor the Student of the Month. Nominations are from each teacher’s Student of the Week. The teachers then vote on which child should receive the award. The Director makes the final decision on which child is selected.
CULTURE
To facilitate each child’s appreciation of world culture as outlined in the LCC concept, students participate in the following curriculum integrated activities:
Pen Pals
Each child at Cornerstone Leadership Academy will be assigned at least one international pen pal. Under the supervision of the teacher, students will correspond with these students throughout the year via internet blogs, emails, and letters. A culture or region will be assigned to each class.
5th grade International Trips
For our 5th grade class trip, each 5th grader and their parents will be invited to visit the country/region associated with the classroom pen pals. Students and staff will participate in various fundraisers in order to help offset the cost of this international trip.
LCC Monthly Cultural Experience Banquet
The LCC Monthly Banquet is a cultural experience based on the cultural heritage of the Leader of the Month. The banquet will include food, décor, and traditional customs and apparel of the particular culture.