HSI NEWSLETTER SPRING 2021 As we came upon the one year mark of distance learning
Students in distance learning, in-person learning
for the students of BRSSD, the district prepared to bring
and learning pods are participating in activities that
back about half of our students for hybrid learning.
help students learn how to interact with one
Consistent feedback heard by the counselors at Ralston
another. After a year of being isolated from friends
Middle School indicated that students, teachers, site
and the school community, students need
administrators and staff felt disconnected from their
structured activities aimed at talking to one
school community. Regardless of the learning
another.
environment - distance learning, hybrid or learning pods, the counselors knew they needed more than what the
One favorite relationship building activity is called
current social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum
Picture Prompt, in which a student chooses a box to
offered. With the generous support of the Sequoia
reveal an image. Students then use the picture to
Healthcare District’s Healthy School Initiative Grant,
inspire a quick share or story about themselves.
CharacterStrong was purchased to pilot with the goal
Students are encouraged to participate in the way
of supporting students, teachers, site administrators and
that makes them feel comfortable.
staff in reestablishing relationships and feelings of school connectedness. Ralston Middle School Counselor, Lauren Rocha, is spearheading the pilot and supporting teachers in exploring the Engage Relationally activities that can be implemented in person or online. Ralston intentionally began their pilot with the Engage Relationally pieces of the curriculum to ease the
transition into a new trimester in which every student was getting a new schedule and a new set of teachers. Besides hosting multiple mini-trainings focusing on the relationship building activities, Rocha is consistently checking in with the pilot teachers to gather feedback and decide where to go next with the curriculum.
Ralston students and staff participating in the pilot are grateful for the opportunity to finish off a unique school year strengthening their school relationships and bonds through the support of the CharacterStrong curriculum and the Sequoia
Healthcare District. They are looking forward to implementing the curriculum schoolwide in the 2021-2022 school year.
is a relevant, engaging and easy-to-use program that fosters the whole child by teaching SEL and character development side-by-side. Through the S.E.R.V.E. model, the whole school community engages in lessons and activities that strengthen school culture and school climate. S.E.R.V.E stands for: Start Intentionally Engage Relationally Respond with Empathy Values Practiced Consistently Exit Intentionally