SEL
Find it in-class, K-6 assembly, and embedded in our school environment. The guidance curricula is drawn from highly recognized models of effective Social Emotional Learning (SEL) interventions.
Zones of Regulation
Above image by CASEL
Please note that our guidance offerings are only a part of our school's commitment to a healthy and effective learning environement! Dedicated teams of teachers, administrators, counselors implement school wide MTSS and PBIS. These programs are integral to building a healthy school culture and systems to support student needs. Our guidance program works within the framework of these school wide foundations. Check out information about these models on the main school web site, here (PBIS link) .
Social Emotional Learning
Our Second Step Program combines engaging delivery with skill building lessons that help our students reflect on important qualities of being a learner, a friend, and part of a school community. All children benefit from programs that increases a sense of safety and decreases problem behavior.
Research indicates children showed gains in prosocial skills, empathy, and conduct with the Second Step Program.
The program also teaches essential skills for learning—listening, focusing attention, using self-talk, and being assertive—that help kids be better learners and do well in school. Kids who can pay attention and ask for help when they need it are more prepared to learn than those who can’t.
Find out more about Second Step here!
http://www.secondstep.org/second-step-social-emotional-learning
Amazing feats!
Find out why we love mindfulness in school!
The Mindful Schools Curriculum provides many of our students an invitation to settle in and reset during the school day. We explore the intention to arrive in the present moment and to choose a lens of compassion towards ourself and others.
I have been inspired over and over by our student's profound insights as we explore mindfulness together. We have been enjoying easing into our mindful bodies and focusing our attention on the simplicity of the present moment.
In some classrooms we are extending skill building in the context of our nonjudgmental awareness of emotions, focus and concentration. While mindfulness has been grounded in evidence in physical and mental health applications, the research on mindfulness in schools is still emerging. What we know so far is promising, here are some of the benefits we believe have a scientific link to mindfulness...
Attention
Strengthens our "mental muscle" for bringing focus back where we want it, when we want it.
Emotional Regulation
Observing our emotions helps us recognize when they occur, to see their transient nature, and to change how we respond to them.
Adaptability
Becoming aware of our patterns enables us to gradually change habitual behaviors wisely.
Compassion
Awareness of our own thoughts, emotions, and senses grows our understanding of what other people are experiencing.
Calming
Breathing and other mindfulness practices relax the body and mind, giving access to peace independent of external circumstances.
Resilience
Seeing things objectively reduces the amount of narrative we add to the world's natural ups and downs, giving us greater balance.
*see mindful schools link for research details
Eyes on Bullying and Start with Hello
Classroom and School Climate
Eyes on Bullying
Eyes on Bullying Website
We learn about the seriousness of bullying and effective strategies to prevent, recognize, and respond to behavior that undermines a safe school climate. Our belief is that bullying behavior is unacceptable, harmful, and preventable. We know results happen when EVERYONE plays a role to address bullying.
If you are concerned that a child is being bullied please ALWAYS contact the school, we really do want to help and we count on our whole community to report and prevent! AND we have policies and practices already in place that DO HELP. Even if you are not able to receive specific, confidential information about students (other than your own child) please know we follow recommended guideline to address this behavior.
What else can parents do to contribute to prevention?
Communicate!
Share your stories about bullying from childhood. These memories tend to last a lifetime and hearing them can make a child more likely to share his or her concerns with you! Make sure you don't only focus on victimization, almost all of us have done or said something hurtful on purpose. How did you recognize and change that behavior? Be a role model by explaining how small acts of teasing and excluding can escalate into bullying. We don't expect perfection from anyone, but sharing our value of respect for others is a powerful source of prevention. Children learn to recognize that not only is it wrong to bully others, but that the behavior of someone who bullies is never justified by a child's own shortcomings (we all have them!) . These conversation can build on a child's healthy self-concept and contradict beliefs that they should be embarrassed, they deserve to be bullied, or they should be able to handle the problem alone.
Other helpful resources for parents: ,
https://www.cfchildren.org/resources/bullying-prevention-resources/
From CPI's bully prevention tip guide, read what these people had to say...
What’s the best piece of advice you can offer to someone who’s being bullied? “Be swift to hear and slow to speak without reacting.” Dr. Sharon Joy Shoatz-Mayazi Teacher Philadelphia, PA
“Always report the bullying, even though it might make you afraid that the bully will retaliate. No one can help you if they don't know it's being done.” Marian E. Hazelton Teacher Consultant for Behavior/CPI Coordinator Lapeer, MI
“Tell an adult at home or school.” Beatriz Moreno Social Worker Mission, TX “Talk to someone about the way you feel and explain what's happening.” Joel Ramkissoon Founder, Bully-Proof Project Brampton, ON Canada “
Tell the person/s you will not tolerate their behavior. If that doesn't stop it they need to report it to an adult.” Mary Jones School Counselor Pleasant Grove, UT
“Stay strong and talk it out with your friends or family. While it may not seem like it, people who bully are very insecure about themselves who feel the need to belittle people to make them feel better. You are not the issue, they are. If they are taking the time to bully you, they are jealous of something you have they do not.” Heidi Koon Student Services Assistant Sunbury, OH
“Ignore or avoid the bullies if you can. Stay away from them or if possible always go with a buddy.” Cecile Abando Counselor Manila, Philippines
“Make sure you ask them to stop in a confident voice while using eye contact. If they do not stop, try to move away from them. If they still don't stop after that, tell an adult. If they continue to bully you after that, tell the same adult or another adult. Don't let them hurt you physically or mentally. Make sure they are stopped.” Kari Altman-Wood School Counselor St. Petersburg, FL The Ultimate School Bullying Prevention Advice Guide
“Try to stay calm! The person bullying you is trying to make you upset or angry. Don't give them that reaction.” Irene
Start With Hello
Start with Hello teaches students the skills they need to reach out to and include those who may be dealing with chronic social isolation and create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school.
Remember "Hey Day"? Students and teachers are asked to wear name tags. This event encourages students to say hello to each other and use their names.
Check out these icebreakers to help you Start With Hello...
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