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| PEER AND LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
(PALS) |
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| Character Education for Middle School
Students |
We learned how to work with younger
children, and developed a sense of confidence in each other and ourselves.
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| - PALS Peer Educator, Rumson, NJ |
| Comprehensive training
for all faculty in a school |
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Consultation with administrators
and other key personnel |
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Inservice Day for all faculty |
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Three days of training/planning with
PALS Advisor Team |
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| Training Retreat for PALS
Student Leaders |
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One-day training for adult advisors
in co-facilitating the retreat |
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One-day retreat for all Student
Leaders to launch the program successfully |
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| Custom-designed curriculum
materials that reflect school’s core values |
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PALS Student Activity Handbook
- for advisors and student leaders |
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PALS Toolkit includes hands-on
manipulatives, tapes, games, etc. |
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| Ongoing support and assessment |
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One day of school-based technical
support |
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Evaluation materials |
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Ongoing consultation as needed |
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| Funding |
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Program costs can be funded through
Character Education and/or Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free School
Act) grants offered by the NJ Department of Education |
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Costs vary depending upon the size
and scope of the initiative |
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Fay School, 48 Main Street, South Borough, MA 01772 |
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Contact: |
Dr. Sara McMillan, Head of Upper School
Dr. Christopher Schoberl, Academic Dean |
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Forrestdale Elementary School, Rumson Borough School District,
Forrest Avenue, Rumson, NJ 07760 |
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Contact: |
Dr. Richard Noonan, Superintendent
Ms. Rebecca Winters, Vice Principal
Tel: 732-842-0454 |
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Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District, Evergreen Avenue &
Cedar Street, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 |
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Contact: |
Dr. Carol Choye, Superintendent
Mr. John Foulks, Principal, Terrill Middle School
Tel: 908-232-6161 |
| A survey of 6th and 7th grade participants who
were led in PALS activities by teams
of 8th graders demonstrated growth in three primary domains: relationship
building, communication skills, and cooperative group skills.
PALS is... |
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| about meaningful relationships… |
“The best part of PALS was getting
to learn things about people I didn’t really know. I feel
like I know them better.”
“I think the best part of this experience
is learning not to judge people or tease them.”
“The best part was just getting to know some cool people and
I think my peer leaders were very accepting in such little time.”
“I learned something new about everyone in
my group that I didn’t know before.” |
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| about effective communication… |
“Everyone got to talk and to be
heard.”
“The best part was when I started sharing
my feelings. The experience was incredible.”
“I liked listening to each other's ideas.” |
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| about learning new skills… |
“I have become better at speaking
in public. I have had fun, I have met people that I didn’t
think I would meet, and I have learned more about myself.”
“I liked how we learned how to work well
in a group.”
“I learned how to handle situations with other people better.”
“The best part of PALS was learning how to
make good decisions.” |
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| The comments of 6th and 7th graders at Forrestdale
Middle School, Rumson, New Jersey |
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| Teachers Reactions to the school wide
PALS in-service: |
“I am excited about building a ‘comfort’ zone
for incoming students and developing leadership qualities in eighth
grade students.”
“The greatest benefit of PALS is the opportunity
to provide positive social interaction between the youngest and
oldest groups of students, and the prospect of grooming student
leaders.”
“Through this inservice I found that fifth graders have
needs that can efficiently be addressed not only by faculty but
by peers as well.”
“The whole program seems very beneficial
to the middle school child. I am excited to see the program take
off and grow over the years.”
“Engaging in two of the activities [at the inservice] helped
me to get a real sense of what the program is about: connecting,
accepting, and easing a transitional situation.”
“I am pleased that the district is making
an attempt to address discipline and social problems in middle
school.”
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| Comments of teachers and other staff in
the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Township Middle Schools. |
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