MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS
CARES offers several programs with messages geared to children in middle school. These programs are delivered within the classroom, after school on an elective basis, or as part of an extra-curricular group such as the National Charity League, Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. Our middle school programs focus on the transition to middle school, forging solid friendships, developing self-advocacy tools and recognizing and cultivating effective leadership skills.
After School Program - KidPOWER
This program uses dramatization, teambuilding and interactive games to bring middle school youth together with high school mentors in an interactive learning environment. Over the course of three sessions, participants work in small groups and teams to strengthen social skills and self-help skills, including confidence, competence, problem-solving and decision-making.
This program, open to 5th and 6th graders, is offered in two sessions, spring and fall, and meets once a week for three weeks. Pre-registration is required for this class.
After School Program - Assertiveness Training
This middle school assertiveness program empowers students to become effective communicators. Student participants improve their personal communication style, learn to be more assertive and practice essential leadership skills. Sessions include hands-on activities designed to identify and build upon individual strengths while enhancing teamwork and group dynamics. Multiple opportunities for role-playing and public speaking are also offered during this program.
This program is offered in two session, fall and spring, and meets one day per week. Pre-registration is required for this class.
After School Program - Mentoring through Drama REGISTER ONLINE 
Drama, set design, writing and acting are all part of the script for this award-winning high school mentoring program. Recently this group created and performed two different short plays for 4th and 6th graders, addressing issues of popularity, gossiping, self-confidence and personal identity.
This program requires a year-long commitment, with emphasis on productions in March and May. Pre-registration is required for this class.
Classroom Program – Take the Lead
Take the LEAD is a new, inclusive leadership and assertiveness training program that engenders positive youth development and social-emotional learning. Developed by health promotion specialists and students as part of a community health initiative, the Take the LEAD program works to build individual strengths, while reducing negative behaviors. The 16-session interactive program (at each grade level) equips students with social and emotional learning skills that transcend the classroom. These skills then empower the students to approach life’s challenges with competencies in several key areas, including: self-awareness, interpersonal communication, social awareness, decision-making, goal setting, self-management, problem solving, organizational skills, and personal efficacy. The skill-based curriculum includes a service-learning project that provides student teams the rare opportunity to transfer their skill-sets to real life situations, in and around the school or community. As a closing celebration, students share service projects with the community, including other students, parents and faculty.
Classroom Program - Middle School Mentoring
All sixth grade classrooms take part in this student mentoring opportunity whereby high school students work with individual classrooms on current topics of concern to students and faculty. This program seeks to provide positive modeling that is both realistic and appealing to middle school youth. Recent topics have included cyber-safety, cliques and exclusion, and transitioning to high school.
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