SLES students are Aiming High

SALINEVILLE - First-graders learned the importance of self-esteem as the Aiming High program began another year at Southern Local Elementary.

Representatives with the Family Recovery Center's Education Department visited classrooms on Thursday for the first of four 30-minute sessions and will appear each week to discuss a variety of social-emotional topics. Prevention educators Ashley McLaughlin and Lauren DeMarco led a reading activity on self-esteem with the book, "What I Like about Me," and encouraged the children to embrace the differences in themselves and others. Students then drew self-portraits highlighting features they liked about themselves both inside and out, including their hair, eyes or even a big heart to show their kindness.

McLaughlin said the program uses age-appropriate lessons to reach children at a younger age and deter the likelihood of substance abuse in the future.

"We go to schools for drug intervention, but for younger grades we focus on social-emotional issues. It's really important to know coping skills because in some cases it can turn into drug abuse," she said.

Kids will also touch on other life skills such anti-bullying, making good choices, building friendships, understanding feelings and communication skills. Aiming High utilizes "Botvin Lifeskills" and "Too Good for Drugs and Violence" curricula that have been recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), among other organizations. The developmentally appropriate lessons incorporate real-world challenges youth face today and the goal is to develop social and emotional competency; promote character education; address bullying; promote a peaceful environment; provide positive interaction between peers; teach resistance to peer and social media influences; and encourage youth to make healthy choices. Meanwhile, programs may likely inspire a reduced intention among students to use alcohol, drugs and other substances, fewer instances of violence and an increased likelihood of student success both socially and academically.

SLES Guidance Counselor Larry Rudloff said the center, which has locations in Lisbon and Steubenville, has provided Aiming High programs for more than two decades and the lessons benefit kids as they learn and grow.

"It's a very good program and the teachers believe it has merit," Rudloff commented. "They think it's good for the kids."

More programs will be held through February for grades K-5 and topics include identifying emotions, kindness and empathy, conflict resolution, peer pressure, decision making, building self-confidence, introduction to medicine and risky behaviors while the Family Recovery Center also offers sessions for junior and senior high school levels. Aiming High is funded by the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. For more information, contact Denise Kuhlman at 330-424-0531, Ext. 146, or email dkuhlman@familyrecovery.org.