PTO / Second Step

Lines Elementary: 217 Eastern Avenue • Barrington, IL 60010

Lines PTO CC/SEL Supports The Second Step Program

We have a job to do! A world without violence, abuse and bullying starts with us! As parents and teachers we must be committed to growing resilient children who will bring their brilliance to this global world. We must also become aware of how important it is for our children to develop the social and emotional skills they will need to be successful. It is our job and our responsibility as parents to understand what social and emotional skills look like so we can model them for our children. At Lines, we are fortunate to have the assistance of Dr. Heather Rimstidt (School Psychologist) and Stacey Wexler (School Social Worker), along with all of the teachers and staff to help our children learn these skills using a program called "Second Step." This program “isn’t only about changing behaviors – it’s about helping your students reach their highest potential.” (Duriak, Weissberg, Taylor, Dyminicki)

Second Step Video

"Social and emotional skills are important to healthy child development. Children with weak social and emotional skills are at risk for developing problems in school (Wentzel and Wigfield, 1998) and later in the workplace (Spencer and Spencer, 1993). In particular, aggressive children are especially at risk for developing more serious problems throughout childhood and adolescence (Campbell, 1995; Parker and Asher, 1987). The Second Step: A Violence Prevention Curriculum (Committee for Children, 2022) is designed to promote social competence and reduce children's social and emotional problems." (The Second Step Teacher's Guide) The curriculum teaches students several skills central to healthy social and emotional development: empathy, impulse control and problem solving, and anger management. The Second Step program helps increase student's safety and well-being by teaching them skills that reduce their aggression and increase their social competence.