Students meet for an extended homeroom period each Wednesday for team building/school-wide activities and receive direct instruction in social-emotional learning through our Second Step program. We recently introduced/reviewed our S.O.A.R.S. matrix to all students during the first few days of school. S.O.A.R.S. is an acronym that means the following: Showing respect, Offering empathy, Acts safely, be Responsible for learning and behavior, and Show self-regulation and self-awareness. The emphasis for this school year is building a school community — “Together, We Are Emerson. Students decorated a banner that embodies this slogan, while incorporating ways in which we will demonstrate S.O.A.R.S. behaviors. In addition, we had our annual Back to School Assembly which included introductions of staff members and Minute-to-Win-It Games. We will continue to revisit this matrix as we build a school community that is safe and inclusive for all.
We use the Second Step program to promote skills and attitudes that increase students’ success in school, help students get along with others, and prevent violence, bullying, and substance abuse. Second Step is based on research in three key areas: early adolescent development, risk and protective factors, and instructional practices to support the program’s goals. Each lesson is specific to and appropriate for each grade level.
Please CLICK THIS LINK to see our Soars Winners and Lessons for the month of September
