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Elementary School Programs & Resources

Resources:

  • Students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade take part in the “Second Step” program from Committee for Children that teaches students how to develop strong bonds to school, solve problems without anger, and treat others with compassion.
  • Students in 3rd through 5th grade participate in the “Steps to Respect” program from Committee for Children that teaches students how to recognize, refuse, and report bullying; to be assertive; and build friendships.

Elementary School Student Support Programs:

Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS)
Positive Behavior Interventions and Support is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity for schools to educate all children by developing research-based, school-wide, and classroom discipline systems.  Rather than a prescribed program, PBIS provides options for schools to design, implement and evaluate effective discipline plans that can be tailored for an entire school community, classroom or non-classroom need, or a student-specific focus.  All SVSD elementary schools are at different stages of integrating this program into their schools.

Peer Mediation
Several schools have a peer mediation program during recess hours. Peer mediation programs teach students of the same age group how to facilitate resolving disputes between two people or small groups. This process has been proven effective in schools around the United States, changing the way students understand and resolve conflict in their lives. Changes include improved self-esteem, increased listening and critical thinking skills, a better school climate for learning, as well as reduced disciplinary actions and fewer fights.  These valuable skills are transferable outside of the classroom.

Cross-grade Relationship Building
This type of program facilitates a collaborative cross-grade level community within the school.  Students from different grade levels work together on activities geared toward team building, and as a result, foster relationships and compassion between students of different ages.  For example, one school has established a “Families” program that contributes to a positive school environment. “Families” of ten students (two from each grade of 1st through 5th) are brought together several times during the year to collaborate.  Another school has in-school buddies program whereby classes of older students are partnered with classes of younger students, which reinforces friendships across grade levels, provides role models for the younger students, and builds leadership mentoring skills of older students. Another elementary school partners 5th graders with special needs students during a special gym class every Friday for team play and 1-on-1 interaction, fostering a greater understanding and relationships between students.