Just prior to Spring Break, upper-grade students attended a performance put on by the educational theatre department of Kaiser Permanente entitled "Peace Signs." The production was designed to teach students important lessons about empathy, nonviolence, and problem-solving.

 

The lessons of the performance were discussed more deeply throughout the week in a series of workshops hosted in individual third through sixth grade classrooms. The program introduced The Peace Signs Stoplight conflict resolution model, in which students are taught to first stop and take a deep breath when a conflict is about to arise. Then, they are encouraged to think about how they are feeling and how the person they are conflicting with is feeling. Finally, they are taught to act upon what they think would make a positive impact on the situation. 

 

Third grade teacher Jennifer Kerrick commented, "I am so proud that Santee is making every effort to make sure that not only the academic needs of our students are met, but also their social-emotional needs are met. The Peace Signs show and workshops provided our students the opportunity to learn invaluable lessons about managing their feelings and navigating conflicts."