Students Take The Second Step 

By Evangeline Hartnett 

This year at Homer High School students have participated in a new social-emotional program called Second Step. 

Activities for the Second Step Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program, or Second Step, occur fortnightly during FLEX period. 

The main purpose of Second Step is to form new connections that might not have previously been developed and enhance social/emotional intelligence among students. 

Students have the opportunity to strengthen skills, including: emotional regulation, empathy, and problem-solving. In sharpening these skills, problem behaviour is supposed to decrease while school success and positive relationships are supposed to grow. 

This is targeted to high school students with the idea that students will be better equipped to handle the transition into adulthood and the workforce/further education. Implementation of the Second Step is required in all New York State public high schools as of the fall semester. 

The program has received mixed reviews from students. 

Maggie Tucker, Sophomore, said that her involvement in the second step is “not good” due to its inability to improve upon her school life, and lack of developing new and meaningful connections. She shares that a major drawback of this activity is its interference with the time she normally does her homework. 

Brock Withey, Senior, also shares the sentiment of a poor experience citing that it is “very annoying.” However, he has been able to find some meaningful and positive aspects of Second Step keeping a neutral stance on benefits/drawbacks saying there is “none” and saying that his participation has facilitated new connections that he previously would not have been engaged in due to his talking/engagement with students from different grades.  

As Second Step activities continue through the year students may find some positive experiences.