School program continues to build student character

It’s been about 15 years since a Positive Action program was first introduced into Weiser’s Park Intermediate School, with the purpose of improving social-emotional learning, student behavior and the overall school climate.

 For the past several years, sisters Natalie Bumgarner and Becky Lattin have brought the curriculum into not only Weiser’s intermediate school, but to Payette and Fruitland, as well. For the first time beginning this year, Payette’s schools asked for lessons to be taught to their younger grade students, and the teaching team expanded to include Weiser’s Kami Terry.

 “We all absolutely love it,” Lattin told the Signal American. “We are now using the Second Step curriculum, a program all about developing personal character skills to be more successful at school and home.”

 Lattin said the restrictions in place during the COVID pandemic had prevented them from going into schools with the program for two school years.

 Natalie and I witnessed a significant change with our students,” Lattin said. “Simple, everyday interpersonal skills were lacking due to the inability to interact with one another. Additionally, we are seeing electronic devices playing a significant role in self-isolation among students. Interactive skills such as eye contact, holding a conversation, giving compliments, apologizing, as well as listening have diminished.”

 Lattin said the team works diligently to adapt the content of the lessons to each group of kids they teach. 

 “We cover the social gaps that we are seeing in our youth,” she said. “And, through the lessons we’re giving students practical tools to use in being responsible, making good choices, managing emotions, and handling problems between friends.

 “We also help them learn how to best show empathy, respect and compassion for themselves and others,” she added.

 Inviting the Weiser Signal American to one of her fifth grade classes near the end of the second quarter, Lattin gave each student two specially made tokens with Park School’s mantra “Wolverine Way” engraved on each, along with a challenge to each student.

 “The challenge is for each one to look outside themselves and outside their friend group to extend some act of quiet service, showing compassion for someone they will see during their day,” Lattin said. “This could be a little note to the custodian or maybe a person on the lunch staff who is particularly kind, or maybe even a simple smile to someone outside the school.

 “If the service allows, the student is encouraged to share the token,” she added. “For example, they could write notes for individuals located in one of our retirement centers or nursing homes and drop it off with a token attached to be delivered to a resident who might need a little bright spot added in their day.

 “Hopefully, these tokens will be a physical reminder to each student to try to apply all of the skills and tools they have learned in the lessons, as we make our community a more kind and connected place to live,” Lattin said.

 Lattin complimented Weiser senior Gavin Nagasaka for creating the unique tokens to amplify the lessons being taught through Second Step.

 “We are fortunate to have the community’s support in making this program successful,” she said. “Gavin is a great example of a leader in the community, and we can tap into his creative skills to reinforce our message and encourage others to be positive role models. We are so grateful for his impact to our program and his involvement as a student.

 “And, a fun fact,” Lattin finished: “Gavin had these same classes when he attended Park School several years ago. No wonder we have such great youth at our high school.”