GMStrong!

    The goal of GMStrong is to increase the social and emotional health of our students by providing an all-encompassing program to increase the social and emotional connectedness of students at GMS. It is done in 3 ways: Whole school (through GMStrong Days) after school programs (Project Change) and through the GEMS. It will be measured by an increase in student hope, engagement, well-being connectedness to peers, help seeking behaviors and an increase in perceived trusted adults and increase in students who have above a 2.0 GPA.

    In July 2015 The Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation which assists local health and human service and arts non-profit organizations in Montgomery County, Md. Awarded Gaithersburg Middle School $150,000 to implement GMStrong! The 3 non-profits that are working with us are NAMI of Montgomery County, RIM and Project Change.  This grant focuses on the social and emotional needs of middle school students.  

     

    GMStrong! organizations

    GMStrong! programs

     

    The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montgomery County

     Sources of Strength (SOS): for ALL GMS students

     

    60 “peer leaders”

    14 “adult advisors”

    In-school positive messaging campaigns based on 8 “sources of strength” (see above wheel).

    Evidence-based to increase resiliency, connectedness, hope & well-being

    Project Change Project Change

    Project Change (PC) programs: for ALL GMS students

     

    Youth Empowered Service Club will enable students to tap into their passions by working on service projects for causes that concern them.

    You Have the Power! Bullying Prevention Peer Education Project will feature high school mentors working with middle school participants to raise awareness about the characteristics and consequences of bullying and how to be an ally to a target of bullying.

    Team of Stars will combine a musical theater experience that utilizes improvisation, theater games, and acting instruction to address issues such as intolerance and bullying, as well as life skills including leadership, confidence, and problem solving.

    Transformers will work with 20 identified 7th & 8th with identified social/emotional challenges to enhance conflict resolution skills through tailored exercises during Viking time.

     

    http://rimministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/RIM-Minnistries-2.png Retouch International Ministries

    BLST Lifeskills: for GMS GEMS

     

    Targeting already-identified at-risk girls (GEMS)

    15-week evidence-based life skills activity plan

    Intern/Mentoring Support

     Field trips (i.e. Kennedy Center & Dinner, MD Ballet Theater of Arts & Movie Night)

    Work on community service project with “Guys of GMS”

    TIMELINE OF ACTIVITES

    August 2015: During back-to-school week of the August 24th, GMStrong! will be introduced to the entire GMS staff. Additionally:

    Administrators and stakeholders recruit 14 adult advisors to attend a six-hour training based on SOS guidelines help in Sept.

    All students & staff take SOS pre-survey

     

    September 2015: Sources of Strength Training & Implementation

     

    • 14 GMS teachers and staff members take a pre-survey prior to being trained as SOS adult advisors. By going through this training, adult advisors agree to be connectors and positive role models for the students.
    • Adult Advisor Field Guides are distributed, which focus on core sustainability issues, planning materials and meeting activities, games resources, safe messaging and core campaign materials.
    • Nomination process begins for 60 students to become peer leaders, who are charged with inspiring messages of hope, help and strength within the school. Recruitment packets are distributed (nomination forms, parent permission slips, etc.)
    • GMStrong!’s Lola Rogers will review students who are nominated to ensure diversity. Students are notified and pre-training surveys are sent to all peer leaders three weeks after the school year starts, to allow the students to acclimate to the school atmosphere.


    October 2015: Healthy Activities-Themed Activities

    GMS recognizes that all GMS staff - while they may not be working directly with students on SOS activities - should have a working understanding of SOS. Therefore, the remainder of the GMS teachers, including team leaders, (two teachers per grade level designated for the social, emotional and academic well-being of students in that grade), will receive SOS training during staff development time during 3 one-hour sessions.


    Following the training, SOS will commence with Healthy Activities-themed projects taking place during Viking Time (see months & themes below). Also, RIM & PC after-school programs will be implemented, with SOS Peer Leaders & all GMS staff actively recruiting students for PC’s programs.

    November 2015: Generosity Themed Activities

    December 2015: Spirituality-Themed Activities

    January 2016: Positive Friends-Themed Activities

    February 2016: Mentor-Themed Activities

    March 2016: Family Support-Themed Activities

    April 2016: Mental Health-Themed Activities

     

    May 2016: Medical Access-Themed Activities

    August 2015: During back-to-school week of the August 24th,

    GMStrong! introduced to the entire GMS staff.

    Adult Advisors recruited

    All students take SOS pre-survey

    September 2015: Sources of Strength Training & Implementation

     

    60 students chosen to be Peer Leaders


    October 2015: Trusted Adult -Themed Activities

     

    All staff members receive GMStrong training through Professional Learning.

    Trusted Adult Wall – developed

    November 2015: Generosity Themed Activities

     

    Generosity Activities were differentiated by grade level ( determined by Peer Leaders)

    Grade 6 – Set at tables of the color you received.  Engaging questions were at the table to aid discussion

    Grade 7 – Candy bags and a note from another students wishing you a happy thanksgiving and friendship.

    Grade 8 – Personal Notes from one student to another. 

     

    December 2015: Spirituality-Themed Activities

    Thankful journal – all grades

    Reviewing the purpose of GMStrong.

    Moving into January with the 21 day thankful challenge.

     

    January 2016: Positive Friends-Themed Activities

    February 2016: Mentor-Themed Activities

    March 2016: Family Support-Themed Activities

    April 2016: Mental Health-Themed Activities

    May 2016: Medical Access-Themed Activities

     

    GENERAL UPDATES

     

    Project Change has done a very successful book drive.  With books going to GES and the Maryland Book Exchange.

     

    ·         GEMS – are going on a field trip shortly bowling and out to eat.