To enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of our students, SAS plans to integrate a new school-wide curriculum that is based on the Choose to Be Nice program, an educational protocol designed to build community, empathy, inclusion, social awareness, and appreciation of others while promoting nine core values: Respect, Kindness, Acceptance, Teamwork, Honesty, Responsibility, Friendship, Patience, and Courage.  The curriculum will provide training and resources to help our students and faculty develop and support self-awareness and self-management, relationship building and communication skills, and responsible decision-making.  The goal is to leverage the classroom and our shared space at SAS to build a stronger community and foster an open and welcome learning environment, while building trusting relationships and improving interactions with each other.  As part of this curriculum, we would invest additional resources in:

• training for our teachers, administrators and health professionals on social and emotional learning;
• our Arts programming and facilities, which are a platform for enhanced social-emotional learning and an opportunity for our students and teachers to engage in meaningful ways outside the classroom;
• our guidance counseling and mental health services that promote social/emotional wellness and support for all students; and
• service initiatives and projects rooted in our school’s mission to see Jesus in every member of our community.

At SAS, we are committed to building a community where kindness, compassion, empathy, inclusion, connection, and appreciation for others prevail; where our students and faculty lead with compassion and empathy; and where we all thrive through meaningful connections with one other.

Will you help us reach our goal of $25,000 to launch our Choose to Be Nice Curriculum? Every gift makes a difference!

Thank you for your support!