Middle school students recently took part in Sweethearts and Heroes assemblies and activities, where they learned new social and emotional strategies to use both in and out of school. Part of the mission of Sweethearts and Heroes is to “grow the innate human skills around empathy and compassion, and promote bystander empowerment and positive leadership skills.” The mission had an impact on students.
Grade 7 student Andrew Y. said he found one circle activity interesting because it involved thinking about what he would change in the past. He also identified a way he can help people in the future. “If you see someone in trouble, even if they are not your friend, you can try to help them,” he said.
Molly E., who is in grade 8, was intrigued by being able to say anything during the circle activities. That experience also made an impression on Inigo P., who is in grade 6, “The circles made an impact on me because we were all able to talk about touchy subjects. It was nice to open up.”
Although working on social and emotional skills is not always easy, learning new strategies gives students personal tools. Grade 8 student Natalie R. said, “I realized that I can change some things, and not everyone is my friend. I learned not to dwell and move on.”
Even as students are perfecting these social tools, they realize they have support. When asked about a strategy she could share from the Sweethearts and Heroes activities, Molly E. said, “Ask for help from an adult.”
