All About Midtown Community School

At Midtown Community School, we prioritize our students' Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) because we are committed to teaching and supporting the whole child. SEL impacts many areas of students’ growth, including their ability to make good decisions, build healthy relationships, and recognize the needs and experiences of others. SEL also helps students manage their own emotions and behaviors and develop the ability to navigate challenges and take positive risks.

We are addressing the social and emotional needs of our students on three levels: culture, education and prevention, and intervention.

Conscious Discipline

Conscious Discipline is an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach to behavior management in the classroom which is built on an understanding of the brain. It is not a curriculum, but a mindset shift and a way of operating. By integrating rituals and structures throughout the school day, Conscious Discipline teaches both adults and children how to regulate emotions, resolve conflict, and create an empathic and emotionally safe school environment where all children can learn. There are seven important skills that are crucial to creating a healthy school community:

• Composure

• Assertiveness

• Encouragement

• Choices

• Empathy

• Positive intent

• Consequences

As a staff, we are committed to practicing the same skills, routines, and rituals that we teach our students. Our new elementary principal brings extensive experience with Conscious Discipline and will lead the implementation of this schoolwide approach, ensuring that both students and staff experience its principles consistently throughout the school day.

CharacterStrong

CharacterStrong is a social and emotional learning curriculum that will be taught in all grades. Lessons focus on building skills such as empathy, resilience, self-regulation, responsible decision-making, and positive relationship-building, and lessons emphasize belonging, leadership, and purpose. Through explicit instruction and consistent practice, CharacterStrong supports both academic growth and the development of strong character in students.

In middle school, lessons are taught weekly by teachers during advisory time. In elementary, lessons are taught by classroom teachers throughout the week during morning meeting, and teachers are supported by counselors as needed.

Restorative Practices

We use restorative practices to help create a safe, supportive community where students learn to build healthy relationships, navigate conflict, and take responsibility for their actions. Rather than focusing solely on consequences, restorative practices help students reflect on their choices, understand how their actions affect others, and work to repair harm when it occurs. One way we do this is through regular connection and restorative circles. During these structured conversations, students build trust with their classmates and teachers, develop empathy, learn to appreciate different perspectives, and strengthen their communication and problem-solving skills. When challenges arise, circles provide a space for students to work together to find solutions and restore relationships. By prioritizing reflection, accountability, and community, restorative practices help students develop the social and emotional skills they need to be successful both in school and beyond.

MOCSA

Kansas City’s Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault visits Midtown Community School each year to teach students how to keep their bodies safe and how to respect the rights and safety of others. Counselors support the presentations in each classroom and follow up with students and families as needed.

Signs of Suicide (5th-8th Grade)

Signs of Suicide is an evidence-based youth suicide prevention program that has demonstrated an improvement in students’ knowledge and adaptive attitudes about suicide risk and depression.

SOS teaches students how to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their peers, while providing materials that support school professionals, parents, and communities in recognizing at-risk students and taking appropriate action.

SOS is implemented by our counselors in grade 5-8. It is a one time lesson, however students have an opportunity to self identify as needing additional support from the counselors.

Puberty (5th-8th Grade)

We use the Always Changing curriculum to provide students with accurate, age-appropriate education about puberty and adolescent development. Our middle school counselor provides training and support to staff who teach the curriculum and also facilitates instruction for some student cohorts. Through these lessons, students gain an understanding of the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during adolescence while developing healthy habits, self-confidence, and respect for themselves and others.

Topics will include:

We recognize that discussions about puberty can feel both important and sensitive for students and families. Our approach is factual, developmentally appropriate, and respectful of diverse experiences. The goal is to ensure that students feel informed, prepared, and supported as they navigate the changes of adolescence. Parents and guardians have the option to preview the materials, attend a parent information session, and/or opt their child out of this unit if they choose.

Sex Education (8th Grade)

8th graders participate in a five lesson sex education unit led by our middle school counselor. The goal of this unit is to provide students with accurate, age-appropriate information that supports healthy decision-making and personal responsibility.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding consent and respectful communication in relationships
• Different types of birth control and pregnancy prevention
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne infections, including how they spread and how they can be prevented
• Personal responsibility, boundaries, and making informed choices

Our approach focuses on factual information, safety, and helping students think critically about

their decisions and well-being. Parents and guardians have the option to preview the materials, attend a parent information session, and/or opt their child out of this unit if they choose.