One of the district's five year Comprehensive School Improvement goals focuses on all students feeling safe and connected to school. A key component of this goal is working to ensure a safe and orderly environment in our buildings and our classrooms. The district is partnering with staff and students to extablish clear school-wide rules and epectations for general behavior, and implementing programs that teach self-discipline and repsonsibility to students - including positive communication and conflict resolution skills. One of the programs we are using to reach this goal is called "Second Step". The Second Step program teaches social and emotional skills for violence prevention. The program includes research-based, teacher-friendly curricula, training for educators, and parent-education components, and focuses on the following skills:

• Empathy
• Impulse control
• Anger management
• Problem solving

In about 30 minutes once or twice per week, elementary students learn to practice prosocial behavior. By understanding their emotions and how to respond to them, young students are able to remain focused on academics.

The Middle School lessons probe deeper, placing a stronger emphasis on student attitudes and beliefs about aggression. They include role-playing and discussion.

For more information on the Second Step program, please visit www.committeeforchildren.org.

Additional Resource:  The Iowa Department of Education  in conjunction with the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development a guide for parents and companion document to preventing bullying and harassment titled Preventing Child and Youth Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault: A Resource for Iowa Families.