K-12 Guidance Program

The following is a list of multi-level school counseling programs in District #20:

Second Step Program

An elementary program that promotes school success, connectedness, and a safe and respectful school climate by directly teaching students the skills that strengthen their ability to: learn, manage emotions, have empathy, and solve problems. These units are taught at various levels from kindergarten through 6th grade:

  • Skills For Listening

  • Empathy

  • Emotion Management

  • Problem Solving

Boys Town Skills

A K-6 social behavior program that is implemented through our Super Swede program and reinforced throughout the district. All staff members and students are trained on the following 12 classroom social skills:

  • Following Instructions

  • Accepting Criticism or Compliments

  • Accepting “No” for an Answer

  • Greeting Others

  • Getting A Teacher’s Attention

  • Making A Request

  • Disagreeing Appropriately

  • Giving Criticism

  • Resisting Peer Pressure

  • Making An Apology

  • Talking With Others

  • Giving Compliments

  • Volunteering

  • Reporting Other Youth’s Behavior

  • Introducing Yourself

Character Education Units

These lessons are taught within the classroom by the K-3 and 4-8 school counselors.

K-3 Lessons

  • August - My Safe and Caring School

  • September - My Safe and Caring School

  • October - Discover and Identifying Feelings

  • November - My Support System

  • December - Respecting Yourself and Others

  • January - Goal Setting - Personal Improvement

  • February - Kindness is Contagious

  • March - Conflict Resolution

  • April - The Power to Choose

  • May - Career

4th Grade Lessons

  • August – Empathy and Respect

  • September – Preferences and Conflicting Feelings

  • October – Identifying Others Feelings

  • November – Similarities and Differences

  • December – Perceptions

  • January – Intentions

  • February – Expressing Concern

  • March – Impulse Control and Problem Solving

  • April – Giving and Receiving Compliments

  • May – Identifying a Problem and Choosing a Solution

5th Grade Lessons

  • August – Empathy Skills

  • September – Communicating Feelings and Giving Support

  • October – Cause and Effect

  • November –Predicting Feelings

  • December – Fairness

  • January – Active Listening

  • February – Accepting Differences

  • March – Impulse Control and Problem Solving

  • April – Resisting the Impulse to Lie

  • May – Dealing with Peer Pressure

6th Grade Lessons

  • August – Dealing with Gossip

  • September – Resisting the Impulse to Cheat

  • October – Resisting the Impulse to Steal

  • November – Anger Management

  • December – Dealing with Frustration

  • January – Dealing with an Accusation

  • February – Keeping Out of a Fight

  • March – Resisting Revenge

  • April – Dealing with Consequences

Purple Hands

A K-6 anti-bullying / harassment commitment theme where students are encouraged to accept responsibility for their actions toward others. Each student pledges not to use hands or words to hurt another.

ACT (Acknowledge – Care – Tell)

A district wide program in which kids are encouraged to tell a responsible adult if they have concerns about another student’s safety or well-being. Acknowledge that there is a problem – Show the person that you do care for them – Tell a responsible adult who will seek help. Staff members are also trained to identify warning signs of a student in distress or emotional struggle.

TeamMatesGothenburg Public Schools began a partnership with the Nebraska TeamMates in 2001. The statewide program is structured to match needy students with a community adult mentors. These mentors spend time with the individual student in school – perhaps eating lunch, reading, etc. All mentors are screened and receive training. It is hoped that a strong bond develops and will continue through the student’s high school years. Interested in becoming a mentor? Please contact Lynette Stevens.