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Potential class at JFK stresses leadership skills
A John F. Kennedy High School teacher is hoping a course geared toward fine-tuning students' leadership skills- one that is based after a half-year class model in Lancaster- will come to fruition at JFK.
Business teacher Anthony Krupski asked the Cheektowaga- Sloan Board of Education at its work session Monday to consider installing a "Leadership and Action" course for the 2008-09 academic year. The class, which would likely include 12-18 students, would encourage class officers (such as Future Business Leaders of America and Student Council members) to join, leading other students to follow in their paths to take the course in the future.
"I like the idea of thirty students over the year, with about fifteen per semester," Krupski told the board. "It's to get a good group to initiate interest in the course, and others to come and follow."
The course outline would include instruction on leadership traits, modeling past and current leaders, as well as promoting various hands-on activities. Some events, Krupski said, would include organizing breakfast for secretaries, as well as members of a nursing home. Promotion of events through advertising and other paths is another student activity. Events would be both community and JFK-based.
"It's about incorporating the spirit of the school and giving students a chance to shine," Krupski said. "I really feel as though there is untapped talent with the students in our school who could be fine-tuned with a course like this. It focuses on the importance of planning."
Krupski added that the two main objectives of the course are for students to learn how to lead and communicate with one another as well as adults. While he would oversee the course, Krupski said students- who would sometimes be working in groups- would be responsible for organizing and running different events.
The coursebook used at Lancaster, as well as for a class at Orchard Park, is titled, "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens." It references resisting peer pressure and establishing self-identity. Krupski said the course has received positive feedback from school administrators.
Krupski said he obtained the idea for the course during a recent fourday Student Council Advisory workshop at the University at Buffalo, in which administrators from Lancaster, Depew, Tonawanda and other school districts discussed thoughts on bringing out the best qualities from their students.
"I got really excited about what (the course) could be," Krupski stated.
Board President Claire Ferrucci agreed that JFK possesses a large number of students who could benefit from the course, adding that the board would consider it for next year as the 2008-09 fiscal budget approaches.
Board Trustee Thomas DelBello said the course would be especially useful for senior students who would be living in an apartment or college dormitory the following year.
"It's good for someone living on their own for the first time because it deals with responsible decision making," DelBello said.
In other action Monday, the board:
• Granted JFK food service helper Elaine L. Kronbeck an unpaid leave of absence from January 23 to February 1, 2008.
• Appointed Lynn Lent as a substitute nurse in the school district. Lent, a Sloan resident, has worked as a nurse for 20 years at Elderwood Senior Care Center.
• Created six teacher aid positions in the school district.
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