INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
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n the intermediate school, students begin to develop leadership skills through the initiative M.A.D.E. to Lead. The “M.A.D.E.” stands for Motivated to follow Christ, Activated to take action, Dedicated to pursuing what is right, Energized to serve others. All intermediate school students are required to participate in at least one of six leadership groups. In SPARKS, students learn about hospitality and brainstorm ways to perform random acts of kindness for others at school and in their communities. In News Media Group, students learn the basics of journalism. This year, students are creating a video to give 4th graders and their parents a sneak preview of what the intermediate school is like. In Leadership Council, the intermediate school’s version of Student Council, a group of students learn about formulating action plans and applying biblical peacemaking and respect with their peers. This group also creates a biannual
newspaper about elementary school events, which goes home to parents at the end of each semester. Intermediate school students can also opt to work with elementary students as either Reading Buddies or Mentoring Buddies. Reading Buddies meet with a preschooler or kindergartner to help them learn to read, comprehend, and discuss stories. Mentoring Buddies learn about how to interact with, listen to, and advise young children, then they meet with an elementary student to apply these principles. Both of these programs give students the chance to lead and set a positive example with younger children. In Mosaic Project, students design and create a mosaic that depicts a Bible story or Bible verse. This mosaic will become part of the intermediate school’s decor. Cultivating leadership skills takes time, but the intermediate students are already growing in their understanding of humility, creativity, and collaboration with their peers.
SPRING 2019 HERITAGE MESSENGER
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