Second Step is the new program that evolved from the Character Counts, which elementary school counselors claim students enjoy more.

Second Step is a program to improve certain skills for The Columbus School students, starting from K4 until fifth grade. This classes have been implemented since the beginning of this school year, and have shown excellent results. The program may be implemented for the whole school, if good results keep showing up.

“We are implementing a new program called Second Step. Which is a program that  develops socio-emotional tools,” Carlos Osorio, Religion and Ethics elementary teacher, said.

Osorio gives a small introduction about what the program is about. Students will learn different, specific values during this classes. They will be put in real life scenarios to learn how to act in them. When they are presented with a critical thinking problem, they will be guided through the process on how to solve it. Students have been showing interest.

“Some students that missed a session, go to my office and ask a summary about what they learnt that day,” Juliana Sarmiento, upper elementary (fourth and fifth grade) counselor, said.

Upper elementary students have liked and shown great interest toward Second Step. Students in fourth grade and fifth grade have been very comprehensive and really excited to have this class. They show great enthusiasm when it comes to learning the new topics. They have the liberty to think and act how they want throughout the activities. Many activities involve drawing. They are able to express their feelings and thoughts, freely, throughout drawing.

“We work on problem solving, selfcontrol, controlling emotions, expressing feelings,” Osorio said.

This program shapes students into an exemplar society member. This classes try to bring out the best of every kid, and help them improve in what they have some problems. Adults have seen the effects this program has had on the students and are impressed.

“Is a program that has 22 classes, it gives us some kind of structure. We can talk about kindness, empathy, compassion, trying to solve own problems.” Sarmiento said, “It is much more focussed on strategies, unlike character counts program.”