Project Cornerstone is a YMCA community initiative with the mission to create an environment where adults support and value all youth so they grow up feeling valued, respected, and known.
The Program Cornerstone program that we have implemented at EDS is the Asset Building Champions (ABC) Reader program. As part of this program, ABC readers visit classes each month to help K-5 students develop important Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills like inclusion, diversity, tolerance, empathy, problem solving, respect, and conflict resolution by reading specially selected children’s book and leading related activities and discussions to reinforce the
developmental assets model for positive youth development.
The ABC Reader program consists of a Kindergarten curriculum and a three year rotating curriculum for Grades 1- 5:
- Year 1 (Asset Year): Growing UPstanders
- Year 2 (Building Year): Inclusion - It's for Everyone!
- Year 3 (Champion Year): Empathy
The program’s goal is to help our school community achieve the following:
- Create a common language and vocabulary about student respect and behavior expectations among all members of the school community — students, parents and caregivers, teachers and staff.
- Help students develop skills to handle physical, verbal, relational and digital bullying and to STAND UP if they see someone else being bullied.
- Increase the number of caring adults on campus so that all students feel that there is at least one adult they can turn to if they have a problem.
- Contribute to a positive school climate where every student feels valued and supported to achieve and thrive.
If you enjoy reading to kids and want to learn more about how you can support this initiative in a K-5 classroom this year, please go to the
PTO website for more information and volunteer link or email us at
[email protected]! We'd love to hear from you!
INCLUSION: IT'S FOR EVERYONE
The full engagement, participation, and development of all community members.
The act of creating environments that any/all feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued to fully participate.
Embracing differences and offering respect in words and actions.
When you “catch” kids modeling positive behaviors... Notice, Name it, and Celebrate it!
