Rayne Catholic Elementary awarded ‘Lighthouse’ Award

The city of Rayne’s school system includes three schools who participate in the Leader In Me learning program, a 21st century leadership and life skills process that enables students to not only learn, but lead inside and outside the confines of their school.
Rayne is unique in that two of only three Louisiana schools named “Lighthouse” schools are located here. The newest is Rayne Catholic Elementary.
“This 2014-2015 recognition comes because Rayne Catholic Elementary has achieved outstanding results in school and student outcomes by implementing The Leader in Me process with fidelity,” said a press release from Franklin Covey.
“It is also because of the extraordinary impact Rayne Catholic Elementary is having on staff, students, parents and the greater community. This is the highest honor we can bestow on our Leader in Me schools that recognizes your commitment to excellence in establishing a culture of leadership”, the release continues.
Nearly 2,000 public, private, charter, and magnet schools in 35 countries have adopted The Leader in Me program. Rayne Catholic is only the third school in Louisiana to be awarded Lighthouse status; one of only two Catholic schools in the United States; and the 105th school in the world.
Sean Covey, Education Practice Leader with Franklin Covey, said, “We are thrilled to recognize Rayne Catholic Elementary as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. Schools who achieve the Lighthouse Milestone are great examples of a strong leadership model and of what it means to be a Leader in Me school. This school has experienced transformational results by implementing the paradigms and practices related to The Leader in Me. We are so pleased to celebrate the success they are experiencing.”
Fred Menard, principal of Rayne Catholic Elementary said, “We are honored to become a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. We have witnessed positive results in academics, behavior, social and emotional growth, as well as student accountability since implementing The Leader in Me process at Rayne Catholic. It has been a phenomenal marriage of our Catholic Faith and Leadership Principles.
“After all, who better practiced the Seven Habits than Jesus Christ, our ultimate leader, who better began with the End in Mind?” Menard added. “We are not only building leaders in our community, we are building leaders in our church. As our mission states, we strive to form a family of leaders and learners who know, love and serve God.”
Menard continues, “Our students, parents and faculty synergize in all aspects of life. Our student body feels confident and knows they can each have a voice in all areas of our school. They truly understand that this is their school and decisions concerning our environment should be made through them. Students, pre-k through grade eight, are empowered and own over 200 jobs from academics to facilities; for instance, if something breaks at school our student Facilities’ Team fixes it.”
The Leader in Me, Franklin Covey’s whole school transformation process, teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to kindergarten through 12th-grade students and creates a culture of student empowerment, based on the idea that every child can be a leader.
The Leader in Me program differs from other whole school transformation processes in that it offers a holistic, school-wide experience for staff, students, and parents, and creates a common language and culture within the school. The leadership principles and lessons are not taught as a curriculum, but instead, are incorporated into the coursework, traditions, systems, and culture.
Rayne Catholic Elementary will receive this distinguished award on Thursday, Feb. 5, during the annual two-day TLIM Symposium to be held at the school with school visits.
During ceremonies held last school year, Martin Petitjean Elementary was named a “Lighthouse School” — the first school to be designated so in the state of Louisiana.