During the month of October you may have noticed a citywide movement radiating from the schools to highlight both Character Counts Week and Red Ribbon Week. Coronado is rare in the fact that we have all the stakeholders invested into promoting the movement to instill two positive messages into our youth.
The elementary schools, middle school, businesses, nonprofits, and law enforcement all collectively work together to enforce the messaging promoted by these events. This collective support takes the messaging from a simple program to become the mindset we want our students to embody.
In short, you have to walk the walk if you are going to talk the talk. By bringing the whole community together to support this mission, we are doing just that.
Character Counts focuses on six pillars that are the foundation to strong character:
- Trustworthiness
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Fairness
- Caring
- Citizenship
Students at Silver Strand Elementary formed a rainbow of colors representing the Six Pillars of Character.
Character Counts and Red Ribbon Week pair nicely together since choosing to be drug free and making positive choices for your wellbeing is a part of having strong character.
While these components are all part of our everyday efforts, in October we dedicate time to focus on this messaging.
This dedication is part of a national celebration of both Character Counts Week and Red Ribbon Week. Each of our Coronado schools implements their own programs. They involve awareness events, tailored curriculum in the classroom, messaging in the morning broadcasts, pledges, and more.
For example, the middle school science and physical education teachers do a lesson on the effects of drugs on the body and mind. Facilitated Mix It Up Day activities happen at lunchtime to help teach tolerance.
Several local businesses support the initiative by rewarding students when they see positive character being exhibited in the community. We partner with nonprofits like Coronado SAFE to host educational workshops.
At the school district, we are very proud of the work that our community is doing to help spread this message.
City and District Resources
While taking proactive measures is important, we also provide robust services for both parents and students as they navigate the challenges that students face today.
Coronado SAFE
We work hand in hand with Coronado SAFE, a local nonprofit, to provide preventative trainings and education to parents. These workshops focus on timely and Coronado relevant topics. Coronado SAFE also comes on campus to complete student workshops.
Counseling Services
While we have always had incredible counselors at the school district, last year in partnership with the City Council, we made the decision to provide comprehensive counseling by bringing in Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS). These counselors are behavioral marriage and family health professionals who can provide in-depth counseling.
Additionally, our counselors partake in both preventative and intervention measures through group and one-on-one counseling. For example, we are currently running a body image group with many of our young ladies to help support positive body image.
School Resource Officer
As a result of the vision of Police Chief Jon Froomin and the collaborative efforts of our City Council and the school district, we now have Resource Officer Sherri Mannello integrated into all of our schools.
Her role is a proactive measure to help our students create a positive relationship with our law enforcement. By embedding her in all the schools, starting at the elementary school, students become familiar and comfortable with her. Later, if they run into challenges, they have already established a good relationship with Officer Mannello and can turn to her for help.
Additionally, Officer Mannello teaches an elective course at the middle school. This course focuses on citizenship, respect for law enforcement, and safety. Currently, we have 6th graders cycling through this class every nine weeks.
Creating a Supportive Environment
One of the important elements to having such a robust service network is the ability for parents and students to turn to any of these services for help. All of these programs work together to ensure you have the tools available to address your needs.
As a parent, if you are concerned that your child may be having problems, you can turn to the counselors at the school. They have the ability to complete in-depth counseling there, as well as give you resources to find different providers within your insurance network. They can also connect you with Coronado SAFE to help you build a parent plan to address the challenges head on.
This also gives students access to multiple support systems, giving them the ability to turn to the resource in which they feel most comfortable asking for help.
Support is embedded into the core mission and values of the school district through our board goals. We want to give students every opportunity to succeed. This means providing the counseling, social and emotional support, and resources to successfully face the challenges of today.
