Posted 1/11/12

Students in Boulevard Elementary have been participating in a new program over the past several weeks -Too Good for Violence is a universal, school-based violence prevention and character education program that teaches the skills and builds the character students need to treat others respectfully and get along peacefully.

Offered through HFM's Prevention Council and the Mendez Foundation, the curriculum will focus on three major areas:

Enhancing Protective Factors:

Teachers will focuses on risk factors that can be positively affected in the classroom: poor social skills, peer rejection, and inappropriate social behaviors. Teachers will be helping students learn how to increase personal and social skills which research has associated with positive behaviors and student success.

Develops core character traits:

Too Good for Violence promotes social and emotional learning by strengthening eight key character traits:
•Caring
•Cooperation
•Courage
•Fairness
•Honesty
•Respect
•Responsibility
•Self-discipline

Builds essential life skills

These four interwoven concepts are  used to offer a caring approach to bullying and violence prevention. These skills enhance success in the classroom, on the playground and at home. They have been linked with school success and positive development:
•Conflict resolution
•Anger management
•Respect for self and others
•Effective communication

"Boulevard's goal is to maintain a nurturing school environment where every child feels welcomed, protected, and respected," explained School Counselor, Sue Grossi.

"It is within this environment that a child is able to maximize learning and be challenged to grow educationally, socially, and emotionally. By bringing this program to Boulevard, we are encouraging 'prevention' as opposed to 'reaction' when it comes to violence." 

 To learn more about this program, visit Boulevard's Counseling Page.