Childcare

Students in Middle School face unique challenges as they transition from Elementary School to High School. Some youth feel ready for more independence and autonomy, while others still desire the structured and nurturing environment found in Elementary School. Regardless of where your child may be developmentally, these years are critical for keeping them engaged in school. Here at North Marin Community Services, we provide youth with multiple areas of support; from academic support to social and emotional support. We help each middle schooler navigate the adolescent years, thereby preparing them for success in high school, college, and beyond.

We support NMCS middle schoolers in academics, help them identify their spark, and in their social/emotional development and development of a growth mindset. We offer a key opportunity to expose students to higher education and career path options and to teach them skills that can unlock doors to future career prospects. During the after school hours, there is time for apprenticeships, guest speakers, college mentoring, and project-based activities that are not always available during a school day focused on the core curriculum. After school programs better prepare middle school youth for high school, college, and careers, while also keeping them on track and engaged in school.

We increase students’ social and emotional skills and decrease their likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors through Second Step Curriculum. “Second Step” is a researched based and age-appropriate curriculum. It’s modern, web-based, and responsive to the needs of today’s students and educators. Starting with the self, teens will learn about who they are and their place in their family, community, and in the world. Topics include self-esteem, bullying, peer relationships, emotional management, and substance abuse prevention and to provide an overall foundation for social and school success so they can enter high school ready to learn and succeed.

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Academic Preparation & Enrichment:

School-year (after-school): Provide individualized academic support; structured homework support, work habit development, weekly missing assignment check through Aeries, email parents as appropriate, and daily check-in with parents and NUSD teachers as needed.

Summer enrichment: Daily English and Math building activities to stem summer learning loss.

Personal Development & Pathways:

Sparks identification: Weekly lessons on growth mindset, risk factors, and “sparks” (internal motivators) identification and development with a summer exploration intensive.

Prevention: Provide evidence-based curricula facilitated by counselors, teachers, and near peers to increase resilience positive digital citizenship and prevent bullying.

Mindfulness: Offer mindfulness practice through mediation or yoga and movement.

Early Response/Intervention: Consult and/or receive training by NMCS Mental Health Consultation to provide deeper behavioral support, and counseling referrals to staff and/or families when appropriate. We increase students’ social and emotional skills and decrease their likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors through Second Step Curriculum. “Second Step” is a researched based and age-appropriate curriculum. Starting with the self, kids will learn about who they are and their place in their family, community, and in the world. Topics include self-esteem, bullying, peer relationships, emotional management, and substance abuse prevention and to provide an overall foundation for social and school success.

As an integrated and comprehensive program, we have exclusive access to NMCS Mental Health Consultants that appropriate for behavioral support to our teachers and students.