Over the four years of federal Safe Schools/Healthy Students funding, The Newton Partnership will be working with school and community members to review, select, and implement curricula for elementary, middle, and high schools in four key areas. These are:
Watch this space for periodic updates to the community on our progress with this grant activity.
Fall 2010 Update
By the end of June 2010, thirteen elementary schools had either piloted or were in process of implementing the Steps to Respect (see below) anti-bullying program for third, fourth, and fifth grade students. Twenty-five additional NPS staff were trained to teach the program in their schools. There are additional trainings scheduled for Fall 2010 with the intention of increasing skilled staff throughout the district.
One of the highlights of the summer workshop was including mentors and experienced school staff to help facilitate the experience, encouraging multi-disciplinary and local support systems. The middle school health teachers will continue to teach the Second Step Middle School Program (see below)in all of the NPS middle schools. They will be provided with ongoing support and training throughout the school year.A professional evaluation was conducted in June and the results are being analyzed to determine both programs’ effectiveness. The Newton Partnership has several staff members participating on NPS Anti-bullying Task Force, which is actively drafting policies, practices and recommendations on anti-bullying efforts, including continuing to support district-wide curricular investigation.
The Steps to Respect and Second Step for Middle School curricula focus on anti-bullying and social skills development for elementary students; and anti-bullying, substance abuse, and stress reduction outcomes for middle school students. Issues around Cyberbullying were addressed through these two curricula, and with additional programs from school librarians. Curricula and supporting materials are being provided for each of the schools. By continuing to encourage school-based trainers, support and training opportunities are provided at a school-based level and tailored to meet the specific needs of each school.
There was a small elementary pilot program from the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine to address the area of stress management. There are plans to introduce additional stress management programs this year at all grade levels. The elementary schools will also be reviewing new curricula in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention.
In addition to supporting the Steps to Respect and Second Step programs, in Spring 2010 The Newton Partnership sponsored staff trainings at both Newton North and Newton South High Schools introducing the Michigan Model (see below) Program for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention. There are plans to evaluate additional curricula in the areas of anti-bullying and cyberbullying, stress management, and substance abuse prevention in both high schools this fall.
There will be two informational meetings for parents and community members to review curricula in the 2010-2011 school year. For more information on content specifics or what is happening at a particular grade level, please see below. You can also contact Iris Leigh, The Newton Partnership Curriculum Specialist, at 617.559.9068 or iris_leigh@newton.k12.ma.us or Gwen Smith, Coordinator of Physical Education, Health and Wellness K-8 at 617.559.9090 or gwen_smith@newton.k12.ma.us.
Curricula “At-a-Glance”
Steps to Respect for Elementary School Staff
Developed by Committee for Children www.cfchildren.org
This evidenced-based curriculum, as described by Committee for Children, 2009, takes a three-pronged approach to address bullying at grades 3, 4 and 5. Bullying is a significant problem in schools that affects both academic achievement and the social and emotional growth of children. The first phase includes a framework for school-wide adoption of policies, procedures, and consequences. In the second phase, the importance of the “bystander” role is highlighted, and staff members are trained to prevent and recognize bullying. They are also trained to receive reports from students who observe others being bullied or are being targeted themselves. Finally, materials for parents are included in phase two of this program. Phase three highlights eleven skill-building lessons and two literature unit selections, for grades three, four, and five. These lessons empower students to recognize, report, and refuse bullying; and learn how to develop empathy and friendships. There are lessons that can be used to address Cyberbullying concerns.
Second Step Middle School Program: Student Success through Prevention
Developed by Committee for Children www.cfchildren.org
This evidence-based curriculum
as described by Committee for Children, 2009, targets substance abuse, bullying, and violence prevention. It promotes the development of empathy, positive communication, and emotion management; and coping, problem solving, decision making, and goal-setting skills. These positive factors enhance stress management. There are 13-15 lessons for each middle school grade: six, seven, and eight. These lessons use interactive teaching methods and media to engage students to make positive choices and support social emotional learning. It includes targeted lessons on Cyberbullying. The comprehensive curriculum advocates a community-wide approach that links school personnel and parents to support common goals. These goals are designed to increase protective factors, such as school “connectedness” (ie: students sense that they have at least one adult in the school that they feel connected to) and social skills development (such as assertive communication skills and positive peer relationships).The Second Step program is designed to create a peer environment where thoughtful decision making is encouraged and substance abuse is rejected.
The Michigan Model: Teen Voice Solutions to Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Developed by The Education Materials Center at Central Michigan University
http://www.emc.cmich.edu/products/curriculum/9-12/default.htm
The Michigan Model is comprised of a number of modules on teen health and safety. The goal of this evidenced based curriculum is to decrease the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) with high school students. It addresses and promotes the value of adopting a healthy lifestyle by teaching assertive communication and problem-solving skills to students. The program consists of knowledge, skill-building, and research projects related to the consequences and legal issues around ATOD. Students develop a capstone project whereby they present their findings to highlight their understanding of the significance in preventing ATOD abuse. The purpose of these integrated lessons is to synthesize student values and promote positive life-long choices.
