Honoring Leader in Me Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw 💛💙
North Augusta Elementary School proudly celebrated its March Habit Heroes of the Month on Friday, March 20, 2026, during a special recognition breakfast. This meaningful event honored one outstanding student from each class who exemplifies Leader in Me Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw.
Each student was recognized in front of peers and staff and received a certificate of recognition for demonstrating leadership through healthy habits and personal balance. We are incredibly proud of these students for modeling what it means to take care of themselves—both inside and out!
🌱 What Does “Sharpen the Saw” Mean?
Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw, focuses on self-renewal and maintaining balance in four key areas of life:
🧠 Mind – Learning, reading, and growing intellectually
💪 Body – Exercising, eating healthy, and staying active
❤️ Heart – Building relationships and showing kindness
🌟 Spirit – Finding purpose, reflecting, and maintaining a positive outlook
This habit teaches students that taking care of themselves helps them be their best in school, at home, and in their community. When students “sharpen their saw,” they are better prepared to lead, learn, and succeed.
🌍 About the Leader in Me Program
North Augusta Elementary is proud to implement the Leader in Me program, a nationally recognized leadership framework based on the principles from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. This program empowers students to become leaders of their own lives by building strong character, responsibility, and goal-setting skills.
Throughout the school year, students have learned and practiced the 7 Habits:
Be Proactive – Take responsibility for your actions
Begin with the End in Mind – Set goals and make a plan
Put First Things First – Prioritize what matters most
Think Win-Win – Seek solutions where everyone benefits
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood – Listen with empathy
Synergize – Work together to achieve more
Sharpen the Saw – Take care of yourself to stay balanced and effective
The Habit Hero breakfasts celebrate students who truly live out these habits each day, serving as role models for others.
💡 Keeping the Habit Alive at Home & School
Although this was the final Habit Hero Breakfast of the school year, the learning doesn’t stop here! Families and teachers can continue to support students in developing strong leadership habits:
For Parents:
Encourage daily reading and curiosity (Mind) 📚
Promote physical activity and healthy routines (Body) 🏃♂️
Spend quality time together and practice kindness (Heart) 💕
Help children reflect, set goals, and stay positive (Spirit) 🌈
For Teachers:
Incorporate brain breaks and movement into lessons
Foster classroom discussions about emotions and relationships
Provide opportunities for goal setting and reflection
Model balance and self-care
By continuing to reinforce Habit 7, we help students understand that taking care of themselves is essential to becoming strong, confident leaders.
🎉 A Proud Dolphin Moment
We are so proud of our March Habit Heroes and all of our students who have worked hard to grow as leaders this year. Thank you to our teachers, staff, and families for supporting the Leader in Me journey and helping our Dolphins shine! 🐬💛💙