Norwell Middle School Social Health Programming
Norwell Middle School offer comprehensive guidance and support programming which includes numerous social and emotional programs, curriculum and services. The implementation of these lessons, assemblies, workshops, facilitated discussions and programs are collectively known as our "Social Health Curriculum". The curriculum is spiraling in nature - meaning each year it builds upon the skills and lessons taught in previous years. Themes such as bullying, social skills, health and wellness, and internet safety are addressed each year at developmentally appropriate access points.
In order to facilitate a district-wide focus on key skills and topics, all Social Health lessons and programs are organized under a monthly theme which is celebrated and reinforced at all levels.
Social Health Monthly Themes
- September: Understanding Ourselves
- October: Understanding Others
- November: Peaceful Community
- December: Understanding Differences
- January: Wellness
- February: Safety
- March: Decisions & Choices
- April: Responsibility
- May: Global Society
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June: Moving Forward
PROGRAMMATIC OVERVIEW
Students in grades 6-8 will each take a class for one quarter called “Guidance”. This class is taught by the Guidance Counselor with some lessons also being taught in grade 6 by a community Police Officer. The Counselor uses the Lifeskills Curriculum and addresses topics such as Drug and Alcohol Abuse (police officer), Smoking (police officer), Goal Setting and Decision Making, Social Skills training, Assertiveness Training, Anger Management, Stress, Peer Pressure, Conflict Resolution, Advertisement, Bullying, Acceptance and Tolerance of Others. In addition, topics such as Relationship Violence, Healthy Relationships, Sexual Abuse Prevention, Sexual Harassment are also addressed. There is also a focus on Internet and Technology Safety, which is addressed through a yearly assembly by the Assistant District Attorney. The Health teachers as well as the Family Consumer Science teachers also supplement the program with additional Social and Emotional lessons. The topic of sexuality and sexual development and substance abuse are also addressed in the Health classes.
Counselors in the Classroom
- Cliques
- Stress Management
- Boy/Girl Relationships
- Anger Management/Conflict Resolution
- Diversity- Accepting Differences
- Career Development
Special Assemblies
- Dating Violence
- HIV Speaker and Education
- Substance Abuse Prevention Speakers
- Developing A Positive Attitude
- Bullying
Specific Programming
- Full Value Contract
- Peer Mediation
- Sex Abuse Prevention
- AIDS Education
- Sexual Harassment/Harassment Prevention
- Drug and Alcohol Prevention
- D.A.R.E and Project Alert
- Peer Ambassadors - No Place for Hate
Short-Term Work with Individuals or Small Groups
- Social Skills Training
- Divorce Adjustments/Changing Families
- Our voices/Ourselves - Healthy Female Development
- Peer Tutoring
Parent Resources
- Resources Library
- Parent Educational Presentations
- Individual Consultation
In the implementation of these services, the following resources are utilized: The Lifeskills Curriculum as well as supplemental Videos, Second Step Violence Prevention, and the Community Police Officer are used. In addition, there is a “Mini-Team” Program which meets monthly and addresses many topics related to the monthly Social Health themes. There are also a number of assemblies which address these topics (Deanna’s Fund, Portrait Artist, Emergency Room Nurse, Assistant District Attorney, etc.) As previously mentioned, there are also parent education programs that are offered related to general social and emotional health as well as particular to the pre-adolescent.
