Kelso’s Choice is a highly-effective system that’s currently being used by most of the other elementary schools in the district to help students solve their own problems. It has been proven to help prevent bullying, reduce tattling/classroom disturbances and encourage students when to ask for help.
We were very fortunate to be able to purchase the entire Kelso’s Choice kit thanks to a generous grant offered through the West Valley Education Association. The comprehensive kit includes Kelso’s complete conflict-management system, counselor activity books, sing-along songs, an interactive board game and many other useful materials. These tools can be used in the classroom, on the playground and in various small-group/individual settings.
You may also have already seen your student bringing home their very own Kelso’s Wheel which they made in class. Our counselor, Mr. Johnston, has started many classes on this fun art project so that they may learn (and use) Kelso’s nine different choices for problem solving.
Our goal is to implement Kelso’s Choice schoolwide this year so that students may begin to solve small problems on their own. The program can improve student self-awareness and help them develop valuable social skills which they can use at school, home and in the community. And since the other elementary schools also use Kelso’s Choice, it will benefit our students to already know about it when they go to first grade.
Look for more info about Kelso and his friends to be sent home soon. In the meantime, please visit their website at www.kelsoschoice.com for more information about the program.