Kindergarten-Second Grade
Helen Baller uses a curriculum developed by Committee for Children called SECOND STEP. The SECOND STEP program is research-based and has been shown to reduce discipline referrals, improve school climate by building feelings of inclusiveness and respect, and increase the sense of confidence and responsibility in students.
The goal of this program is to build your child's problem-solving and social skills. Children who learn and use the skills presented in this program are more likely to get along with other people and do better in school. The SECOND STEP lessons are divided into three areas:
1. Empathy Training
Children learn to:
· Identify feelings (happy, sad, mad, scared….)
· Predict how other people feel (by reading faces, body language, etc.)
· Show others they care.
2. Impulse Control
Children learn to:
· Solve problems
· Practice social skills (joining in, apologizing, interrupting politely…..)
3. Anger Management
Children learn to:
· Calm down
· Redirect their feelings in more positive ways
Bullying
Our school has developed an anti-bullying policy and specific procedures for responding to bullying reports. Copies of the policy are located:
- On the district website
- In the school and district office
- In the classroom
All staff members have received training about how to respond effectively to bullying problems. In addition, classroom teachers, the school counselor, and the principal have been trained to provide more extensive help for students involved in bullying.
Third-Fifth grade
In these grades, we use another Committee for Children curriculum called STEPS TO RESPECT. In our continuing effort to create a safe and positive learning environment, our elementary counselors district-wide use the same curriculum. This program is designed to prevent bullying and promote responsible, respectful student behavior. Children learn and practice bullying prevention skills, including how to recognize, refuse, and report bullying, and how to make friends.
Students who participate in Steps to Respect lessons learn:
- How to recognize, refuse, and report bullying when it happens to them or someone else.
- Friendship skills that reduce the risk of being bullied, including how to make friends, join group activities, and manage conflicts.
- Emotional skills, such as understanding the feelings of others and managing emotions.
- How to use positive values—specifically, responsibility, respect, and caring for others as a guide for behavior.
If you would like to find out more about the research behind these curriculums visit the Committee for Children website at: www.cfchildren.org
Other:
As a counselor, I am also asked from time to time to come into the classrooms for more specialized lessons on such issues as death, community building, and other teacher requests.
Camas School District #117
This website was made possible by a grant from the Camas Educational Foundation.
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