Students' social and emotional development is an important aspect of the Indigo philosophy. As a community we strive to use a common vocabulary to provide our students with a safe and supportive atmosphere in which to learn not only academics but also interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.

Strategies used at Indigo to support childrens' social and emotional growth include:

• Class Meetings: Daily class meetings are held at each grade level. The goals of the meetings are to provide students with a chance to recognize things that are going well and to problem-solve areas of difficulty, such as issues at recess or during class time, or concerns about friendships.

• Second Step: This is a violence prevention program that helps children learn and practice vital social skills, such as empathy, emotion management, problem solving, and cooperation.

• Communication Lab: A weekly lab is held at each grade level to promote effective communications skills. Topics range from eye contact and body posture to the effects of gossip, depending on grade level.

• Bullying Prevention: Indigo is working with Project Cornerstone, a community agency who's mission is to train and mobilize adults throughout Santa Clara County to intentionally develop healthy, caring, and responsible children and youth. Project Cornerstone works directly with students, staff, and parents at Indigo on the following initiatives:
        - ABC (Asset Building Champions) - training parents to facilitate
          monthly lessons in grades K-5 that focus on bullying prevention
          and promoting positive peer interactions.
        - "Expect Respect" student workshops - as of April 2009,
          20 students in grades 4, 5, and 6 have been trained to Expect
          Respect by Project Cornerstone. Now with the assistance of their
          teacher and a parent volunteer, they are preparing presentations
          for all of the other classes at Indigo. The goal of the classroom
          presentations is to share some of the important lessons they
          learned about creating a positive and respectful environment at
          our school.
        - Staff and parent training on bullying prevention and asset
          development.
        - Middle School Book Clubs - focused on bullying prevention and
          promoting positive peer interactions (starting in 2009-2010).

• Positive discipline training for parents (as well as teachers). Learn more on our Positive Discipline Page.

• Choice wheel: The choice wheel is used in classes, during class meetings, and on the playground to help students identify choices they can make to deal with situations. See the Positive Discipline Page for a picture of the choice wheel.