A new facet of seminar is School Connect. The program revolves around three modules: Creating a Supportive Learning Community, Developing Self-Awareness and Self-Management, and Building Relationships and resolving Conflicts. The curriculum was developed to help boost social and emotional skills in school, an area sometimes missing in the academic classroom.
In one lesson, employers were surveyed about necessary job skills they required. What students discovered was that while basic knowledge is important, employers also relied heavily on soft skills like teamwork and social responsibility.player.
“[However], we aren’t trying to tell students that education is no big deal and that they do not need to worry about school any longer.” says Principal, Mr. Mike Monaghan. “We as a district are trying to better prepare our students for college and the workforce. These studies shows us what employers are looking for, so we decide to implement it into our curriculum.”
Students have mixed reviews of the curriculum.
Torey Moten states “I feel that people are unable to be taught soft skills. People skills are something that are learned with real world experiences. Students can not be taught how to interact with others, especially after we have already been interacting with others for many years now.”
Contradicting Moten, Brent Hart says that he “Doesn’t mind doing the lessons. I just go through them with my class and get them over with, and then proceed with my day!”
Career Cruising is the second stage of seminar lessons which will be implemented in November.