Temple Beth Am Day School will institute a new anti-bullying program called Open Circle for the 2012-13 school year. Open Circle is a social competency program that will teach students in kindergarten through the fifth grades the social skills that will positively impact on their emotional health, while simultaneously impacting on the total social climate of the school.
Developed at the Stone Center of Wellesley College, Open Circle includes professional development, classroom curriculum, consultant visits, parent and administrator training, systematic and sustained implementation, and demonstrated effectiveness, evidenced in increased student social skills, decreased problem behaviors and an easier transition to middle school.
Through a cumulative training and coaching model, teachers learn to expedite Open Circle meetings, teach social and emotional skills, and to integrate the approaches throughout the day. The curriculum contains content in three major areas — creating a cooperative classroom environment, solving interpersonal problems and building positive relationships. Funding for the program was obtained through private donors and the school parent-teacher organization (PATIO). Temple Beth Am Day School anticipates that this program will greatly impact both teachers and students.
Temple Beth Am Day School is located at 5950 N. Kendall Dr. For more information, go to <www.tbam.org/dayschool>.
