Philosophy of Seasons of Respect

Motivated by research being done by the University of Delaware and Delaware Department of Education's Positive Behavior Support Project and the Delaware Attorney General's anti-bullying efforts, and awareness that schools were experiencing more anti-social behavior and violence within their walls, Connecting Generations expanded some of its earlier programs focusing on youth and respect. Using experience from these programs, we developed a new curriculum to reach children on the cusp of puberty before they hit middle school and the major social pressures that this transition brings.

We believe that lack of respectful behavior not only leads to disruption in society, but also prevents children from taking advantage of many opportunities which can help them become confident, caring, contributing citizens. We want to help prevent negative effects of bullying and other disrespectful behavior between youth, and we want all children to be able to take advantage of available opportunities. Therefore, we have expanded and renewed our Respect program, now called Seasons of Respect. Its focus is on in-school peer-to-peer relationships.

In Spring 2007, as a pilot project, we presented a program of workshops to 12 fifth grade classes throughout Delaware. In the 2007-2008 school year our program has grown; we are currently offering workshops in 60 classes in 11 public schools throughout Delaware, serving 1600 children. This is a year-long program with workshops every few weeks throughout the entire school year. Seasons of Respect provides the necessary materials to implement SOR workshops and either facilitates or trains the school counselor to facilitate the workshops to all of the school's fifth grade classes. We also provide ideas to help teachers hold weekly class meetings between SOR workshops.