In order to develop social emotional intelligence, “students will learn, practice and model essential personal life habits that contribute to academic, vocational, and personal success. Students will learn to be caring and civil, to make healthy decisions, to problem solve effectively, to value excellence, to be respectful and responsible, to be good citizens and to be empathetic and ethical individuals.” 

(Kansas Social Emotional Character Development Standards) 

Research shows that the biggest indicator for student success and resilience is a long-term, positive relationship with a caring adult. In order to provide our students with this opportunity, we will be piloting family groups at the elementary level and advisory groups in the junior high and high school. This will give our students a place to belong as well as a safe environment to explore character development, social emotional learning, as well as academic, career and life goals. 

The goal of piloting First Ten is that students would be ready to learn, be engaged in their classes, feel safe and calm by the start of their first class. Students are still expected to be on time to school each morning.

First Ten looks different at each grade level. For example, a kindergartener needs time for free-play, exploring the room, and building with friends while a high school student simply needs a chance to understand their mindset, much like career and job people get to work early to set theirs. Teachers at all levels are using this time to check in with each student making sure they are ready for their day. What zone are you in? (Zones of Regulation), How can I help you be ready for your day? Did you get your homework completed last night? Do you have everything you need to be ready for class?

Junior High and High School students are offered breakfast in the classroom one time a week. This is the same meal provided in the cafeteria that students are able to take to class for First Ten. There has been an increase of 20-30 students eating breakfast on these days.

If success in life is determined by our reactions and resilience, we must equip teachers and students with strategies to respond, rather than react, to life situations. “Self-regulation is something everyone continually works on whether or not we are cognizant of it. We all encounter trying circumstances that test our limits from time to time. If we are able to recognize when we are becoming less regulated, we are able to do something about it to manage 

our feelings and get ourselves to a healthy place. This comes naturally for some, but for others is a skill that needs to be taught and practiced. This is the goal of

 The Zones of Regulation.” 

Students and staff will use Zones of Regulation to identify feelings and emotional 

states, triggers that change our “zone,” as well as strategies to self-regulate. 

How can teachers prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate modern media, social networks, and their personal relationships? How can teachers engage in current events and controversial topics without causing divisions in the classroom or being charged with bias?

AllSides for Schools helps educators teach essential skills in critical thinking, collaboration, listening and respectful discourse, media literacy and social-emotional learning. Our unique focus on building relationships and revealing multiple viewpoints across the political spectrum avoids the potential problems with bias and disrespecting individual beliefs.

“In education, the term standards-based refers to systems of instruction, assessment, grading, and academic reporting that are based on students demonstrating understanding or mastery of the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn as they progress through their education.” Taken from Edglossary

Our research team highlighted the following key components for SBG and its effectiveness:

Standards-Based Grading...
*Measures student proficiency on standard based objectives
*Helps adjust and focus learning
*Provides a better insight into a student’s strengths and weaknesses
*Students are given multiple attempts to master standards
*Allows for personalized learning to be communicated clearly