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Character and Social-Emotional Well-being of Boys

One major way that we address the development of moral character and healthy social-emotional states in our boys is through our school-wide Sophrosyne program. In the current issue of Saint David's Magazine, Assistant Head of Lower School Kathryn Hunter describes how this program works with our younger boys. Excerpts follow: 
The definition of Sophrosyne, as we have come to understand together over the course of the year, is what it means to be a good man, in word and deed.  In the Lower School, Sophrosyne guides every aspect of the school day. 

Each Lower School Sophrosyne class is grounded in a Word of the Week, a core virtue deeply valued at Saint David’s. These virtues also align with one of five cognitive and behavioral competencies identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning:

 Self-Awareness – I can identify my own emotions and thoughts and how they impact my behavior. Words of the Week: The power of yet, growth mindset 
Self-Management – I can motivate myself when things are difficult and I can set and meet my personal and academic goals. Words of the Week: Resilience, self-control, perseverance, determination 
Relationship Skill – I can be a good community member by communicating clearly, actively listening, and seeking and offering help. I can cooperate with others, demonstrate leadership, and manage conflict.  Words of the Week: Kindness, authenticity, compassion, non-verbal communication, teamwork, friendship 
Social Awareness – I can put myself in another person’s shoes, including people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. I can follow community rules that keep everyone safe and happy, use language that is respectful, and value the needs and physical space of others.  Words of the Week: Empathy, respect, dignity, equity, cooperation, identity 
Responsible Decision-making – I can make constructive choices about my behavior and interactions based on ethical standards, safety, and community values. I understand that my actions have consequences and I must consider my own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others when making decisions. Words of the Week: Being proactive, bystander, conservation, responsibility.

A Sophrosyne class can take on many forms in the Lower School. The class may introduce a strategy or system for the boys to use when faced with a dilemma, center on coming to an agreement on a current issue in the classroom, or introduce a debatable topic to elicit feedback and reflection. Sophrosyne provides the boys with language to express their thoughts and encourages genuine interaction and emotional reciprocity. Activities and strategies introduced in the classroom provide a framework for boys to utilize when faced with difficult decisions, in order to grow in their understanding of themselves and others, to take decision-making beyond the classroom and the home, into the playground, the park, and into their digital interactions with each other.

 This is what Sophrosyne offers: the opportunity to develop practical wisdom to become, both in word and deed, a boy of character and a man of integrity.

For more information about Saint David's School, visit www.saintdavids.org.
To see a full archive of blog posts, go to: pdohalloran.blogspot.com

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