Homeroom Time

Time is allotted for checking in with students and helping them best prepare for their day. Short lessons related to the SEL core competencies are also introduced during this time.

Health Education Curriculum

Curriculum is aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Education's standards to incorporate social emotional learning and mental health awareness.

Project Adventure (Physical Education Curriculum) - learn more here

Waltham Public Schools uses Project Adventure within its K-12 physical education curriculum.  Project Adventure helps to bring "adventure" into the classroom. Below are the common age group/themes in which help to consistently and effectively build upon student's social emotional competencies.

ChangeMakers Academy - learn more here

CMA is used to deliver lessons that prioritize content skills and 21st century skills, such as creative thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, as equally important. They provide many opportunities for students to work together, to improve on working together, to create in a variety of formats, and to connect with the greater community.

Restorative Justice Circles

Students participate in circles that are held to reflect restorative justice goals. The purpose of these circles is; (1) to identify and take steps to repair harm, (2) to involve all parties in making decisions, and, (3) transform the traditional relationship between people, communities, and leaders.

Social Skills Groups

Counselors offer groups for students needing support around specific topics or areas. Groups are held at varying frequency, depending on student needs, and are primarily focused on gaining and practicing social skills.

Grief Groups

Groups for students dealing with a loss are available in all schools through our partnership with The Children's Room. The Children's Room is an independent non-profit located in Arlington, MA that is solely dedicated to supporting grieving children, teens, and families.

Challenge Day

The Challenge Day Program is a powerful, high-energy program in which youth and adult participants are guided through a series of experiential learning processes.  The overall goals of the program are to increase personal power and self esteem, to shift dangerous peer pressure to positive peer support and to eliminate the acceptability of teasing, violence and all forms of oppression

One School, One Story - learn more here

Each year, One School, One Story embraces all mediums of storytelling. For Summer of 2020, we listened to the podcast, Serial, and it was one of our most successful years ever. A podcast allows us to be in the story, hearing the voices of real people with real emotions. This year a podcast seems even more imperative. It allows us to easily distribute stories, even when we cannot physically hand out books.

The ability to accurately recognize one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior. The ability to accurately assess one’s strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and a “growth mindset.”

• Identifying emotions

• Accurate self-perception

• Recognizing strengths

• Self-confidence

• Self-efficacy

The ability to successfully regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations — effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself. The ability to set and work toward personal and academic goals.

• Impulse control

• Stress management

• Self-discipline

• Self-motivation

• Goal-setting

• Organizational skills

The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ability to understand social and ethical norms for behavior and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

• Perspective-taking

• Empathy

• Appreciating diversity

• Respect for others

The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. The ability to communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict constructively, and seek and offer help when needed.

• Communication

• Social engagement

• Relationship-building

• Teamwork

The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms. The realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and a consideration of the well-being of oneself and others.

• Identifying problems

• Analyzing situations

• Solving problems

• Evaluating

• Reflecting

• Ethical responsibility