A New Lions-Quest Course

Last week, with the beginning of the third quarter, we started the new Lions-Quest Course with the second half of the students in sixth grade.

"Skills for Adolescence from the Lions-Quest Program is designed to fulfill requierements to respond to the changing world faced by young people and their families. The program helps to create the meaningful experiences, opportunities, and relationships young people need to be caring, capablem, and contributing members of society." (Program Guide, p.8)

Your child will be learning skills that will give him/her the basis to grow in self-discipline, responsibility, respect and a decision making process.

On the other hand, next week we'll be celebrating "Friendship Week" as a school wide campaign. Students from the Lions-Quest Course have been engaged in preparing activities for that week, for example, making wrist bands for themselves and others, and practicing skits for the general assembly, on Friday the 5th.

Growing in Responsibility

This week we are focusing on responsibility, trying to learn how to recognize responsible and irresponsible behaviors. Another aspect of the lesson is to think of the reasons why people act responsibly, and examine the positive influences that shape behavior. Also, the lesson includes the positive consequences of acting responsibly and the negative consequences of being irresponsible.

A good point that is being stressed is the fact that parents and families can give us wise direction and a solid foundation, but, it is each person who will decide in the end, who they will become.

Some ways to practice being responsible are:
* Making smart and healthy decisions
* Doing chores at home
* Being on time
* Keeping promises
* Showing respect
* Doing what you're supposed to do
* Showing initiative
* Being dependable
* Being trustworthy

Respecting Yourself and Others

This week, we'll be praccticing in class how to show respect to others. Respect is one of the aspects of self-confidence; we'll encourage students to demonstrate respect toward others, starting with their classmates. It is also important for students to learn to recognize individual differences. Parents can set the example of respect by doing practical things like listening carefully to their kids. We can show appreciation with words,by having eye contact, giving a pat on the back, or a smile. Remember that letting our kids know that they are appreciated and respected will help them increase their self-confidence! Here is a video I found in watchknow.org, which contains some information about the art of listening.