Educator Newsletter: October 2023

Curricum Updates

Preliminary Spanish Language Scripts Are Now Available!

As we roll out this new, enhanced curriculum, we will continue to post updates and changes as they occur. This week, we are excited to announce that our Preliminary Spanish Language scripts are now available on your curriculum pages. As we have discussed in training – these are preliminary scripts meant to help those of you implementing in bilingual classrooms this Fall. Professional translations will be released in January.

If you are already trained in the new program, here are some of the recently published updates:

  • Preliminary drafts of Spanish Language lesson scripts are available on lesson pages
  • Scripts in English and Spanish can be downloaded from the Early Childhood Landing Page as a packet
  • Minor revisions to English Language lesson scripts include resolving a few sticky spots in the script, such as additional instructions to pick up or put down puppets. Bear in mind that the scripts are not yet in their final published version and we continue to receive your feedback and make improvements. If you come across something that could be improved, please let us know.
  • Stand Strong Safety Skills Poster can now be downloaded and printed from your curriculum pages.

Curricum Training

Many of our partners have already taken advantage of the free refresher trainings we offered towards the start of the school year. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for those of you eager to get on board with the new curriculum!

If you are interested in refresher training or have never been trained in our programs and would like to be, please reach out by email to Gretchen Lash or click the button below to complete the form. 

We are particularly interested in creating new partnerships with teachers and counselors from the following districts. Grant-funded opportunities may be available to subsidize the cost of curriculum/training – please inquire!

  • Aldine ISD
  • Alief ISD
  • Galena Park ISD
  • Spring ISD
  • Schools & childcare centers in Brazoria County
  • Schools & childcare centers in Fort Bend County

Spotlight: Pasadena ISD

Pasadena ISD is devoted to the personal safety education of their elementary students. We are excited to highlight them as a gold star partnership. With the diligent support of their lead counselor, Raymona Robin Harold, they fully implement both Stand Strong • Stay Safe – Early Childhood and Elementary at all of their PreK through 4th Grade campuses. 

In 2019, Pasadena was one of a handful of school districts to commit to training all of their elementary school counselors in all levels of Stand Strong • Stay Safe. Last Spring, 5 volunteers from the district opted to pilot test the first draft of the updated Early Childhood curriculum. In the last month, every one of their counselors has attended either a full training or a refresher training in the updated curriculum, earning them the distinction of being one of the first districts in the area (along with Pearland ISD) to fully commit to the updates. We know their students will enjoy the new puppets and streamlined content.

During the 2022-2023 school year, Pasadena ISD taught Stand Strong • Stay Safe to 13,797 children.

New laws passed during the 2021 legislative session made it more complicated for counselors to serve students with child abuse prevention programs.  Additional layers of district approval and parental opt-in permission requirements increased the number of steps counselors have to take to ensure these programs reach the greatest number of children. We are exceedingly grateful to the Pasadena ISD leadership, including the School Health Advisory Committee and the Board of Trustees, for supporting this program in the district. And moreover, we are grateful for the dedication of counselors who spent hours calling parents to make sure they turned in their opt-in forms so that 13,797 students could receive the important safety and resilience-building message of Stand Strong • Stay Safe.

At ChildBuilders, we look forward to our continued partnership with Pasadena ISD. In particular, we are eager for the opportunity to train the district’s Middle Level counselors in Stand Strong • Stay Safe – Upper Elementary next year, after reaching even more students and families this year.

Upcoming Educator Webinars

Mind Matters: Overcoming Adversity and Building Resiliency

Mind Matters: Overcoming Adversity and Building Resiliency

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and how does trauma impact the developing child?
When Life Gets Hard: Coping With Adverse Childhood Experiences & Trauma

When Life Gets Hard: Coping With Adverse Childhood Experiences & Trauma

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and how does trauma impact the developing child?
Cultivating Healthy Classrooms with Empathy and Connection

Cultivating Healthy Classrooms with Empathy and Connection

Have you been frustrated managing a classroom with out-of-control behaviors? In this workshop, learn knowledge and skills to cultivate a nurturing and empathetic classroom climate. Participants will walk away with hands-on activities and ideas to promote empathy and connection in the classroom.
Navigating Rough Waters: Understanding Children's Mental Health

Navigating Rough Waters: Understanding Children's Mental Health

What is typical childhood behavior? When should I be concerned? Learn strategies to recognize and help kids with mental health concerns.

Upcoming Parenting webinars

Share these upcoming webinars with your families – presented live on Zoom in English with Spanish translation!

Creating a Nurturing Home Environment for Children

Creating a Nurturing Home Environment for Children

October 16, 2024    
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
No Cost
Children need connection and guidance to grow into healthy adults. This workshop will help you learn to parent with connection in mind, using empathy and assertiveness to reach that goal.
You've Got This: Parenting And Children's Mental Health

You've Got This: Parenting And Children's Mental Health

Learn about signs & symptoms of mental health concerns in young children and 3 strategies for helping children. With Spanish interpretation.
Feeling Stressed? Learn Mindful Parenting

Feeling Stressed? Learn Mindful Parenting

November 13, 2024    
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
No Cost
Find a new way to respond to the stress of parenting, calm your mind, and be kinder to yourself and your kids. With Spanish interpretation.
Using Empathy in Discipline

Using Empathy in Discipline

November 20, 2024    
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
No Cost
Parenting is about the day-to-day interactions we have with our children that build trust and love. This presentation will focus on connecting with your children while disciplining. Learn to set boundaries and hold children accountable.
When Life Gets Hard: Parenting Through Trauma

When Life Gets Hard: Parenting Through Trauma

Learn about trauma’s effect on development and behavior and come away with 5 strategies to help children heal. With Spanish interpretation.
Keeping Children Safe in a Troubled World

Keeping Children Safe in a Troubled World

December 11, 2024    
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
No Cost
Learn to identify signs and symptoms of abuse and explore ways to keep children safe from abuse & trauma.

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Questions or Concerns?

Thank you for using our new website. If you have a question or need help accessing information or materials, please get in touch.