The "TNT" program developed in partnership with community organizations to support student development in appropriate social behavior and skills.

Problema

As a new inner city charter school we have a strong need to build a culture of Character Education, that helps develop appropriate emotional and social skills to create a thriving learning community.

Solução

The "TNT" program developed in partnership with community organizations to support student development in appropriate social behavior and skills. The solution is to teach children a better way to communicate and solve problems with one another. This starts with learning to communicate their feelings, then learning to listen to others' feelings. Next students must learn by relating others feelings to an experience they can relate to and respecting their differences. Finally, teaching them to solve the problem together as a team. Our school has partnered with parents, St. Pauls United Methodist Church, and the University of Toledo to provide recreational therapy to our students. The group organizes activities such as sports, dramatics, games, arts and crafts to assist students in developing positive interpersonal relationships, confidence and communication helping them to socialize effectively with positive character traits needed to be successful in social activities or environments.

Exemplo

One example was when two of our fifth grade students got into a physical altercation at school. After speaking with the students involved in the altercation, we learned of gang related behaviors in the classrooms such as starting clubs and talking mean about other students from other clubs. TNT Therapy students were able to meet with the girls twice a week and talk with them about bullying behavior. Through the program the students were brought together from the clubs with TNT leaders/mentors who had practiced talking through their feelings with them, helping them to listen and relate to the others’ feelings. After meeting to work on communication and character traits such as caring and respecting others, the girls had the opportunity to team up and play in a fun activity where they learned to rely on each other as partners. Since these students have been participating in the program, the bullying within the clubs has ceased to surface so far.

Ofertas e demandas

We have other programs in the school such as Kids Unlimited, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts who also work on developing character, social, emotional, and academic skills. The program is open to all students, but what differentiates the "TNT" program from other programs is the built in flexibility to reach a larger population of students who can ebb in and out of the program depending upon the immediate signs of struggle with socially inappropriate behavior. At this time we do not see a challenge. The other programs can only enhance our success and growth.