LAPEL — From principal to counselor to teachers, Lapel Middle School is working with students to not only become better in science, math and language arts, but to also be better people.
The school has implemented a new Social Emotional Learning program this year, as well as a college and career readiness program. It all coincides with the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) initiative, which looks to prevent behavioral problems before they happen.
Principal Chad Kemerly said he and the staff have been focusing on soft skills that are imperative to college and career readiness, while helping to build positive relationships between students and staff.
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School counselor Stacy Boles “has done a great job of intertwining them as all one major program in our building,” Kemerly told the Frankton-Lapel Community Schools board at its October meeting. “We’ve dedicated 15 minutes each day for social emotional learning and college and career readiness.
“The academics are really important to our kids, but the social part in the middle school — and this is hard for me to say going from high school to middle school — but this may be more important than the academics.”
Students are learning about how to best deal with difficult situations.
In one session, students drew pictures of their favorite places to focus on while decompressing from a stressful situation.
They are learning about meditation.
They are also having open discussions about topics, such as bullying, positive socializing and empathy. They also are encouraged to talk with classmates they may not normally talk to.
In the college readiness programs, they are talking about how to be employable.
“Our goal is for students to build relationships because that is what they will be doing for the rest of their lives,” Boles said. “We want them to have the skills to do that.”
“It’s been a fabulous program,” seventh- and eighth-grade teacher Heather Lutz said. “It is really accomplishing what we all desire for the kids — be excellent people, not just excellent students.”
Boles said she has seen breakthroughs in students, noting a share circle where a student, who has had some behavioral issues, apologized to classmates for his behavior.
“It’s neat to see who leads the classroom and how they are being leaders in a positive way,” Boles said.
Each month a different subject has been highlighted.
In August, the focus was on stress control.
Last month, building relationships and connecting with students were emphasized.
For October, it has been an extension of relationships, centering on and coinciding with National Bullying Prevention Month.
Kemerly said the Indiana Department of Education has given guidelines to start these type of programs, but he, Boles and teachers meet monthly to discuss ideas and training for upcoming sessions.
“Our teachers have bought in and the kids love it and it’s really been an awesome program,” Kemerly said. “I’m as excited about this as anything I’ve been a part of at the school.
“I think what we’re doing is special, but I think all the schools in Madison County are doing similar things. It’s important to get kids in these type of programs.”