Departments & Services Links
Overview
Niskayuna is invested in supporting students to develop self-awareness and self-management skills essential to success in school and in life. This support is integrated into our daily interactions with students, promoting social awareness and interpersonal skills that establish and maintain positive relationships. Niskayuna encourages all students to develop and demonstrate ethical decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts.
The ability to recognize the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of other individuals, including ideas and viewpoints that are different from one’s own, and to empathize with others from diverse backgrounds, is central to forming and maintaining positive relationships at all life stages.
SecondStep SEL Programming (K-5)
All elementary schools in Niskayuna are implementing the SecondStep curriculum in classrooms.
Second Step is a widely recognized, research-based Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program designed to help elementary school students manage their emotions, build positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Core Pillars of the SecondStep Curriculum
The program is divided into four main units that progress in complexity as the student grows from kindergarten through grade 5:
Growth Mindset & Goal Setting
Teaching students that their brains can get smarter with effort and how to set achievable goals.
Emotion Management
Identifying feelings (both in themselves and others) and using “calm-down” strategies like deep breathing or counting to handle strong emotions.
Empathy & Kindness
Learning to take others’ perspectives and how to be helpful and inclusive.
Problem Solving
A structured approach to resolving peer conflicts, which usually involves the S-T-E-P acronym:
S: Say the problem.
T: Think of solutions.
E: Explore consequences.
P: Pick the best solution.
Community Mental Health & Crisis Resources
When students or families are facing stress, mental health concerns or crisis situations, access to trusted community resources can provide critical support and guidance. View information to connect students, families and community members with local mental health, crisis intervention, substance use and community support services.
- View the Agency/Therapy Referral List.
- Learn more about our Community Mental Health & Crisis Resources.