Project Group: Social Learning
Social Learning
In response to an idea by the PTA and the former members of the DSW steering committee, the school’s administration founded the group “Social Learning” in the school year 2007/2008.
Group members include parent representatives (Mrs. H. Berghausen, Mrs. A. Schröder), teacher representatives (Mrs. C. Vorwerk, Mrs. L. Hoffman - von Bredow), student representatives and, as liaison to the Elementary School, the E.S. counselor, Ms. Schweizer. Mrs. K. Fabina (counselor@dswash.org) is the coordinator for the group.
Goal: Conflict prevention and mediation at the DSW
• Documentation and evaluation of existing prevention tools;
• Re-appraisal and adaptation of the new concept to the needs of the students and the staff of the DSW.
Activities include:
Information to parents about existing and new measures;
Helping students strengthen key social behavior strategies through training seminars (workshops) in various grades.
The group meets regularly.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at counselor@dswash.org
Program description:
Annually, the German School Washington, D.C. offers a “social skills training” for grades 5-8. The training sessions are completed and documented by the “Family Support Center”. The Family Support Center has been offering prevention and education programs in private and public schools for many years. The project group that created the program over the last few years will continue to follow its progress. Per year, each class will receive up to 6 training sessions, which are spread throughout their schedule. Boys and girls receive separate training. If you would like to view the training schedule for this year, please click here. Please note that the school reserves the right to make changes to the schedule as necessary.
The goal of the program is to allow students to practice positive social skills. The program aims to help strengthen the students’ self-confidence and the communication skills, to foster contacts and relationships, to teach respect as well as to help students learn to solve conflicts constructively.
The following are examples of topics for age-appropriate discussion:
Introductions- Overview
Self Awareness/Self Worth/Self Esteem
How do I see myself? How do I think others see me? How do I want others to see me?
Decision Making
What is a good/bad decision? Steps to making a good decision. How does my decision affect others?
Respect
Respect for self, respect for others, respect for property
What is respectful language? What is respectful behavior?
Conflicts
What are conflicts? Are all conflicts bad? How do I handle conflicts? Looking from the others’ perspective.
Friendships/Cliques
What does it mean to be a friend? How to be a good friend. Empathy and respect.
What is a clique? Why can cliques be harmful?
Session 6 Peer/Outside Pressures
What is peer pressure? How does one handle peer/outside pressures?
(alcohol and other drugs will also be discussed with the older students)
Program FAQs:
What is the „Family Support Center“?
The FSC is a private non-profit organization that has been supporting schools and their staff and offering counseling-related programs for over 20 years. Working together with the FSC assures a constant and professional management of the program that remains unaffected by the high fluctuation at the German School.
How often do the trainings take place?
The trainings take place over the course of the school years in grades 5-8. Students in grades 5 and 6 have 45 minute trainings and students in grades 7 and 8 have 90 minute trainings.
Does the program take place exclusively in English?
Yes. New students from Germany are supported by the classmates if necessary. The counselor can also function as translator if the need arises.
How is the sustainability ensured?
The FSC will evaluate the program and will offer feed-back on a regular basis. The project group will meet regularly to ensure sustainability. A detailed documentation and evaluation of the program is available.
Do parents have any influence over the program?
YES! The project group includes members of the PTA. The program was created with experts together with members of the project group. Feed-back and best practices from the program are discussed with the FSC.
Where is the benefit for parents and teachers?
A long-term strengthening of the students’ social skills, less conflict situations that require a teacher to interrupt class to resolve the issue and, consequently, less valuable class time “wasted” on conflict resolution.
Which classes will be affected the most?
No class will be affected more than another. Days and times for the trainings will be distributed over different subjects and weekdays.
Are teachers required to attend?
It is not recommended that teachers be present during the trainings, so the students will feel as comfortable as possible in an open dialogue with the trainer. Naturally, the teachers must be reachable.
Who decides when and on what days the trainings will take place?
The times are scheduled in accordance with the class schedule and can be viewed on the school’s homepage.
The project group and the counselor are in continuous communication with the FSC and are able to relay any questions or establish a contact to the center. Additionally, you may direct questions to the Family Support Center and the coordinator for the program Joal Gunzburg at 301-718-2467.