Fly Leaders Fly!

BY GARY WECKSELBLATT

Super Bowl-bound Philadelphia Eagle Britain Covey visited Neidig and Richland elementary schools on Wednesday, February 1st. And while students excitedly asked questions and received hugs and high-fives from the Eagles rookie punt returner, questions weren’t only about the team, but also about playing in the National Football League, facing the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Mr. Covey spoke about something he shares with the students at both schools: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He is the grandson of Steven R. Covey, the author of the book that Neidig and Richland students are learning leadership principles from. The Leader in Me process is an elementary version of Steven R. Covey’s work.

the heart of QCSD's mission to create College and Career Ready students.

Britain Covey said he learned the seven habits as a boy, uses them today and has shared his grandfather’s books with some Eagles teammates.

“I use the seven habits all the time,” Britain Covey said. An example: “Begin with the end in mind. I’m going to score a touchdown every time I catch the ball.”

Which habit helps you beat the other team? “Synergize, coming together,” he said. "You guys really think that I could beat the Dallas Cowboys on my own? Probably not. But guess what? I have teammates like Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, and when I work together with them, they help me beat them."

What’s the hardest habit to follow? "Seek first to understand, then be understood," he said. "I know this teacher, this coach really cares about me. I need to listen to him and what he's saying to me because he cares," Mr. Covey said. "That's the hardest habit to follow but I think it's the most important."

Richland Principal Nicole Zuerblis said “I’m so happy with your connection to the seven habits.”

He said his best friend on the Eagles is Jake Elliot, the Eagles placekicker. Team leaders are Jason Kelce and Brandon Graham.

Seeing a student with a Darren Sproles number 43 jersey, he called him “my favorite player of all time. Like he was, I’m the smallest player on the whole team.”

Musicians in both schools greeted Mr. Covey with the Eagles fight song "Fly Eagles Fly." And he welcomed by the mascot from each school, Neidig’s Nash and Richland’s Richie.

I was hoping that my DNA results would be in for this month’s column but it will have to wait til next month. I am so unique looking that everyone asks what I am. I would like to introduce a new member to my family. This is Maisie. She is a Pug/Terrier mix that looks like my dog brother that passed. She came from a rescue in California and arrived Christmas Day. This is a picture of my 2 dog sisters. There are 3 of us now. I’m still the one in charge though. I want you all to save a date in the future. I was just informed there will be a Mutt Strut on June 3rd to benefit our wonderful K9 Police Force here in Quakertown. I will remind you as time moves on. Those dogs protect us all. (I’m too small to scare anybody.) Farewell to you all for now and stay tuned for my test results next month

Bucks County Community Raises $200,000 For Families in Need

“He was the most amazing man in the world,” Britain Covey said. “I love him so much and I miss him.”

Leader in Me is an ongoing process that teaches 21st-century leadership and life skills to students, and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader. Neidig and Richland consistently weaves this process into the existing QCSD curriculum, and teaches students about responsibility, creativity,

He was very generous with his time. His first visit was with Neidig students in grades K-2. He then went to the second floor to meet students in grades 3-5. At Richland, students and teachers filled the cafeteria. He later visited classrooms for pictures with students.

Several media members were on hand. FOX 29, WFMZ-TV, The Intelligencer and Courier Times newspapers, The Morning Call and Upper Bucks Free Press. WFMZ reporter Rose Itzcovitz interviewed Neidig students Sofia Gehris and Jameson McKenna. Asked for his thoughts when he sees the

This holiday season, philanthropists Gene & Marlene Epstein pledged that if the Bucks County community could raise $175,000 for the Intelligencer’s Give a Christmas campaign, they would donate an additional $25,000 to Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) for a total of $200,000 available to struggling community members.

The Bucks County community rose to the challenge, making donations ranging from $5 to $10,000. Each gift directly impacts local families who are on their journey out of poverty. Give A Christmas assists families not just during the holidays, but throughout 2023, with food, utilities, housing supports and other basic needs.

This year, BCOC saw a 22% increase in need, with a record 1,255 people in 449 households receiving direct holiday assistance. Inflation has hit everyone but especially low to moderate income households. The extra money continued support of BCOC, our programs, and the families that we serve.” said Erin Lukoss, CEO of BCOC. This year, Gene wanted to dedicate his donation on behalf of all our Jewish neighbors and call attention to the amazing charitable work they do throughout the year to support all people in need in this community.

“On behalf of the 10 synagogues within Bucks County and the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund, we are honored to be able to offer this $25,000 to the Give A Christmas Campaign and BCOC.” says Gene Epstein. “Thank you to everyone for their fantastic efforts to help us reach our goal and provide $200,000 to families in need in Bucks County.”

For the past two years, Gene and Marlene have pledged $75,000 to the Give a Christmas campaign through matching gift challenges.