Life Skills Class Curriculum
DISTRICT WIDE
Red Ribbon Week - October
Held during October to coincide with the National Red Ribbon Campaign. The Red Ribbon Campaign symbolizes a commitment to a healthy drug-free lifestyle. All schools participate as well as the entire community. There is more information in the Red Ribbon Week section on this webpage.
KINDERGARTEN
It's Okay To Be Different
This program is designed to teach children about the diversity and differences and will help them develop empathy for others. This lesson uses Todd Parr's graphically appealing book, It's Okay to Be Different, to help students understand what diversity means and how it applies to them. After a shared reading of the book, students will discuss the book and participate in activities to reinforce what makes them different and also that "kindness counts."
TRANSITIONAL PRIMARY
I'm Proud To Be Me (Donnie Dinosaur Series)
Promotes
an appreciation and understanding of individuality, positive attitudes,
friendship, and kindness to self and others. This module is designed to
enhance childrens self-esteem. Approximately 50 minutes (including the
12-minute video). The main character is a puppet by the name of Donnie
Dinosaur. He teaches all the kids they are Dino-mite Kids. School
coordinator sets up program with principal and teachers.
GRADE 1
"Stranger Safety"
This lesson has a winning combination of fairy tale adventure and concrete safety information. Using the book, Once Upon a Dragon, this lesson will cover the essentials of stranger safety for children in a playful but concrete way. As a girl helps her lovable but impulsive dragon friend, each problem comes to an agreeable and safe resloution. The concepts in the book will be reinforced with discussion questions and engaging activities. Students will feel empowered with important safety information throughout the lesson.
GRADE 2
Lets Work It Out
The
second grade Life Skills programs expand on the Donnie Dinosaur series
by focusing on resolving conflicts. Components of the program are a
story, discussion, and a group puzzle activity. Lets Work It Out is
designed to assist children in understanding feelings and to know how to
use listening and communication skills to solve problems in a
non-violent manner. It also encourages children to express negative
feelings such as jealousy and anger in more constructive ways. School
coordinator sets up program with principal and teachers.
GRADE 3
How I Learned Not to Be Bullied
This
program is designed to help children understand common motives behind
bullies actions and to learn non-violent techniques for coping with
bullies. Another component in the program assists children in learning
ways to maintain self-esteem despite bullies continued attempts to
damage it. School coordinator sets up program with principal and
teachers.
BABES (Beginning Alcohol Basic Education Series) (6 weeks)
Is
a nationally applauded substance abuse prevention program which
originated in Michigan over twenty years ago, and which has been in New
Jersey for seventeen years. It is currently in use in forty states, as
well as four foreign countries.
Through
the use of seven puppets in six story lessons, BABES touches the hearts
and minds of children, as it helps them to grow in self-esteem, coping
and decision-making skills while also providing non-judgmental and
factual information concerning the use and abuse of chemical substances.
Our facilitators have been certified to present program. Coordinated
through District Life Skills and funded through Hillsborough/Millstone
Municipal Alliance.
GRADE 4
"Drugs - What Kids Need to Know"
After
viewing a video, workshop will give students straight forward answers
to the questions they have about drugs, help them understand just how
drugs can affect their brains and bodies, and identify effective ways
for them to say "No" to drugs, tobacco, alcohol and marijuana.
GRADE 5
"Get a Winning Attitude"
Explores what
self-esteem is and how our attitude affects our performance and even
our decisions. Students will learn that the keys to success
include developing a winning attitude. School coordinator sets up
program with principal and teacher during a 2-period math class.
GRADE 6
"SURVIVING PEER PRESSURE: You Can Do It!"
This
program, Surviving Peer pressure: You Can Do It! was created to help
young people understand that the desire to fit in with a group can
sometimes lead a person to inappropriate behavior but that there are
strategies they can follow to avoid finding themselves in this
predicament. School Coordinator sets up program with principal and
teacher during a 2-period literacy class.
P.U.S.H. - (Prevention Using Student Help)
Trained
high school students go into sixth grade classrooms with a two-session
program teaching drug and alcohol education, peer pressure, and that
it's okay not to use drugs or alcohol when you are a teenager. S.A.C.
works with high school students.
GRADES 5 & 6
i RUN - I am Responsible, Unique and Noble
Offered
to girls in Auten Road Intermediate School. The Girls On the Run (5th
grade) and the Girls on Track (6th grade) are an exercise and mentoring
program for girls which builds their self-esteem. The goals of the
programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual
and physical development. The program meets 1 hour twice a week
culminating in a 5K race and recognition pizza party. (Funded By Youth
Services Commission and Hillsborough/Millstone Municipal Alliance.
GRADES 7 & 8
A.W.A.R.E (Advocating Wellness through Addiction Resources & Education)
A.W.A.R.E Middle School students focus on healthy
lifestyle choices for members who, in turn, educate elementary and intermediate school students about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. The program lays the
groundwork for major education initiatives each year:
Students meet twice a week to prepare presentations to 7th
grade Health classes each marking period, to all 6th grade Health and PE
classes once a year and facilitate an annual Family Night Presentation
open to all parents.
PRIDE (Peers Respecting Individual Differences Everyday)
Hillsborough
Middle School has initiated a peer leadership program called PRIDE,
which stands for Peers Respecting Individual Differences Everyday. The
goals of the group are to promote tolerance, teach and encourage
conflict resolution skills and reduce bullying, teasing and harassment.
PRIDE's goals are to utilize positive peer influence to create a safe
and caring environment at the middle school. PRIDE presents
anti-bullying lessons to all 7th grade Health classes and to all 2nd
graders in the district.
i RUN - I am Responsible, Unique and Noble
Offered
to girls in 7th and 8th grade at Hillsborough Middle School. The Girls
on Track program is an exercise and mentoring program for girls which
builds their self-esteem. The goal of the program is to encourage
positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.
The program meets twice a week in the fall and spring season
culminating in a 5K race and recognition pizza party. (Funded by
Hillsborough/Millstone Municipal Alliance).
GRADES 9 - 12
P.U.S.H. - (Prevention Using Student Help)
High
school students attend a two-day training and work with 6th grade
students on prevention efforts. P.U.S.H. students attend the ELKS
Conference each year in New Jersey.
REBEL (Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies)
which
is New Jerseys statewide youth anti-tobacco movement. High school
students work with peers as well as elementary students to deliver the
anti-smoking message.
Support Group Meetings on various topics led by HHS Student Assistance Counselors meet each week at high school.
Assembly Programs with prevention message throughout the year including:
- DIRT for the Freshman class
- Steered Straight for Sophomore Class
- Chasing The Dragon - for Junior Class
- Every 15 Minutes - for the Senior Class
PARENT PROGRAMS
Parenting Programs are
offered K-12 throughout the year for our parent/guardians to enhance
their parenting skills. The programs are presented by professional
speakers.
PLC (Parent Learning Community)
Five
week parent-to-parent workshop series focused on strengthening
relationships and improving communication with our children and
adolescents for the prevention of substance use and abuse. One session
includes a presentation by the Hillsborough Township Police on local
trends in alcohol/drug use as well as internet safety.
Family Unity Nights (FUN)
Family Unity Nights is a FREE 7 week program for parents/caregivers of children (ages 10 14) brought to the Hillsborough Community by Empower Somerset. Topics covered include: stress management, setting family rules/boundaries, communication strategies and family bonding activities.
15 Minute Child Break
The program is a 1 hour interactive presentation sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey. The presentation includes up to date information about vaping, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, warning signs and so much more. The presentation also include communication skills for parents.
Night Of Conversation
This is an annual event that takes place in November. The evening consists of an information session about various topics (mental health, drug abuse, vaping) as well as communication skills for parents/care givers. This event is sponsored by the YMCA, Empower Somerset, Pioneer Family Success Center, Hillsborough Municipal Alliance and the Hillsborough School District.