In September, the Anti-Bullying Task Force met to discuss the best way to address bullying concerns in our schools and community. Parents, community members, a student representative, teachers and staff met with Superintendent Drapp to develop a plan to help build a community that encourages positive social skills and community involvement. To that end, we will begin a community wide effort, focusing on improving the social skills of our students grades K - 12. We will kick off this program with a meeting for parents and community members this Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 6:30 in the Wamogo Media Center.
Our Anti-Bullying program will include interventions within the schools as well as community and parent involvement.
Highlights will include:
* Weekly Skillstreaming skills to be disseminated through eblasts to all three elementary schools and Wamogo. Skillstreaming by Arnold Goldstein and Ellen McGinnis is a program that teaches social skills in six areas: Beginning Social Skills, Advanced Social Skills, Dealing with Feelings, Alternatives to Aggression, Dealing with Stress, and Planning Skills.
* Additional small groups provided as needed for students identified as needing extra support.
* Teachers, administrators and staff will be encouraging students to use their skills throughout the day.
* Parents and community members will work within their homes and organizations to discuss and practice skills with their students.
* The School Social Workers, School Psychologist, and School Counselors will provide support to parents and community members with questions regarding the program.
* Planned speakers to assist in empathy training and complement and reinforce the skills.
We are very excited to begin implementation of this community-wide social skill-building program. Reminder that our parent meeting will take place Thursday November 17th at 6:30 p.m. Please contact me with any questions or comments at dfoley@rsd6.org.
