As we get the new year started I would like to take a moment to remind you about our approach to establishing a positive school climate and the steps we take to ensure that our kids leave MECC with the skills necessary to be successful. It is important to recognize that the partnership between parents and school personnel is essential and the more we can work together, the better our chances are of meeting with success.
Over the past few years, thanks in no small part to the pandemic and the increased use of technology, we have seen a noticeable increase in distractibility and anxiety related issues amongst our students. This is not unique to Middleborough, as schools across the country are struggling to figure out how to best teach kids self-regulation and focus within the classroom setting. We work hard at MECC to ensure we have a positive, safe, kind and nurturing school climate and our first step to accomplishing that goal is through the establishment of positive behavioral expectations. This is done in each of our classrooms and all school settings every day in multiple ways such as Zones of Regulation, Bucket Fillers and Purposeful People.
We highlight positive character traits through our Character Word of the Month. This includes the important character traits of kindness, courage, cooperation, empathy, respect, honesty, responsibility, perseverance and gratitude. Each morning during announcements we identify and define the Character Word as well as give an example of this trait. Our staff talk with our students about these traits, look at stories and historical figures that represent these traits, and we talk about what these traits look like in our school environment.
Another program we will begin soon is called Calmer Choice. Through this program we teach kids how to slow down, how to calm their bodies, how to focus and pay attention, and how to become more self-aware and aware of those around them. Each morning during announcements staff and students are invited to take a mindful moment and a cleansing breath. We have found this to be a great way to start the day.
The skills taught through these programs help our kids meet our positive behavioral expectations and, more importantly, give our kids the skills needed to navigate their social lives and the school environment.
Our goal is to ensure the success of each and every student who walks through our doors and we believe that happens best when we work in partnership with families. We share all this information in the hopes that you will check out the resources we share, take time to ask your kids about the things they are learning and, most importantly, reach out whenever you have a question. If you would like to learn more about these programs please click the links below and be sure to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
https://characterstrong.com/purposefull-people/
https://calmerchoice.org/what-we-do
https://zonesofregulation.com/index.html
