We live in an ever-changing and challenging world. In order to be prepared to deal effectively with the complexities facing today's youth, all Upper School students attend a weekly Life Skills course.
The fifth grade Life Skills course is designed to help students gain insight into their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth. We focus on development of strong study skills which are appropriate for learning, and the acquisition of positive interpersonal skills. We also examine sound personal health habits and proper nutritional and fitness behaviors, as well as tobacco, alcohol, and the consequences of use and abuse.
Sixth grade Life Skills covers a vast array of topics including but not limited to: self-perception, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, mental health, decision making, eating disorders, money matters, advertising, violence in media, communication skills, social skills, and how to be self-assertive. Students also determine current topics that interest them. Students are given information on the topics and ideas of how to deal with situations in a positive manner. The overall purpose of the class is to empower students to make decisions that will help them have a better chance of becoming happy, healthy and successful people.
The seventh grade Life Skills course, building on subjects introduced in fifth and sixth grade Life Skills, is designed to help the seventh grade student achieve skills in areas of academic, emotional and physical growth. The class will focus on the development of positive interpersonal skills with peer groups and adults, and the implementation of positive study skills and the importance of setting goals. Also discussed is physical and emotional changes in adolescence, as well as issues related to human sexuality.
In eighth grade Life Skills, we explore ways to promote health literacy, i.e. reading magazines, newspapers, and books, and improve our decision-making skills. We invite guest speakers to present facts and information on topics such as CPR, smoking and public health, sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, reproductive health and the effects of puberty and maturation. We discuss and research information on sexually transmitted diseases and the far-reaching effects of HIV and AIDS. We discuss the situations of people with special needs and the effects they have on society and their families. We talk about nutrition and all of the circumstances surrounding eating disorders and how good nutrition leads to a more productive life. The entire year is focused on how we navigate life to stay higher up on the wellness scale.