“ We believe the development of compassion and kindness builds and strengthens connection and belonging among all our boys …”
navigate taunts , jokes , and other hurtful verbal expressions and their impact . Boys recognized the hurt that this kind of joking causes and thought about what they can do to interrupt this behavior and strengthen their school community . Dr . Gay also presented this work at the January Parents Association Meeting .
In addition to providing workshops for the boys , faculty , staff , and our parents , Dr . Gay collaborates with Jessica Pagan and Pedro Morales , Saint David ’ s Co-Directors of Inclusion , Diversity and Community and with Saint David ’ s teachers on the empathy and inclusion elements of Sophrosyne , our schoolwide character , socialemotional health and well-being program ( see sidebar for highlights from the Lower School Sophrosyne program in these areas ).
At Saint David ’ s , we believe the development of compassion and kindness builds and strengthens connection and belonging among all our boys — whatever their belief traditions , backgrounds , or family circumstances . It brings a joyful balance to our lives . All of our efforts to promote empathy , cultivate cultural competency , and deepen inclusion are grounded in our school ’ s mission and values , and in the shared values of our families . •
Pedro Morales , Jessica Pagan , and Dr . Derrick Gay .
LOWER SCHOOL SOPHROSYNE
In Lower School Sophrosyne , the boys explore the distinction between empathy and compassion , as well as how to identify feelings and emotions in others . Some other central themes include that being a “ good man ” does not only apply when others are watching ; sometimes we need to modify the Golden Rule to include “ treat others how they want to be treated ;” and the lessons learned during Sophrosyne should be followed inside and outside of school .
Sophrosyne periods are built into the boys ’ academic schedules to allow time for deliberate moral introspection through lessons , discussion , and reflection . The program exists to anticipate the developmental needs of our boys , but also to serve as a real-time response to the needs being communicated to us by the boys , their teachers , and parents .
Lessons may be restructured to maintain our commitment to adaptive learning . One of the lessons crucial to our boys ’ growth has centered around conflict resolution and self-advocacy . Through our lessons , we encourage the boys to use “ I-Statements ” when using their words to resolve conflict , asking for help , or expressing their concerns . We clarify the difference between “ tattling ” and “ reporting ,” and emphasize our primary goal that boys feel safe and heard throughout the day .
In January 2023 , boys used case studies to build empathy and learn strategies to navigate taunts , jokes , and other hurtful verbal expressions and their impact .
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