WINTERSVILLE — Cross Creek Elementary School is going beyond its usual open house concept, letting students take over its Family Leadership Night, set for Sept. 24.

Students and their families will visit the school from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The youth will lead their loved ones on a tour of the classrooms and building, sharing their personal goals.

Coordinators Brittany Shank and Gina Miclea explained this event restructures the idea of an open house, allowing students to take the reins.

“It’s a form of open house, but it’s student-led,” Shank said. “They are going to lead them through the building and share their leadership roles in the classroom. The students can show their work samples that will be on display. We wanted it to be more meaningful. We wanted the kids to lead.”

The move incorporates components of the Leader in Me initiative. This involves all Indian Creek schools undertaking an initiative throughout a period of four years, to bolster education, culture and leadership.

Cross Creek Elementary began its program last year. The goal is to create a high-trust environment in schools, build student achievement and improve learning for 485 pupils in grades preschool through fourth.

The practices are based on educator Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” ranging from being proactive and setting goals to embracing teamwork and taking care of one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.

Cross Creek officials have been targeting academics, particularly in math and reading, in addition to utilizing a common language for improvement, focusing on what is important, creating a leadership environment, putting first things first and thinking win-win. As a result, students have developed Wildly Important Goals, or WIGS, to meet themselves.

“They are going to share their WIGS, which is an academic goal in math and reading, and they will show how they track it,” Miclea stated.

The school’s PTO is planning to provide fun activities, while Shank and Miclea will offer information to parents regarding the Leader in Me initiative. Miclea noted parents will be aware of the goals and can help reinforce them at home.

“It’s very individualized and we’re very excited,” Miclea said. “We want to bring the community and school together.”

“There are things they can do at home and this strengthens the school and community connection,” Shank commented.