We want your child to be as successful as possible at school. Success in school is not just about reading and math. It is also about knowing how to learn and how to get along with others. We will be using a Second Step program in your child’s classroom to teach these critical skills. The Second Step program teaches skills in the following four areas:

Skills for Learning:  Students gain skills to help themselves learn, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, use self-talk to stay on task, and be assertive when asking for help with schoolwork. Empathy:  Students learn to identify and understand their own and others’ feelings. Students also learn how to take another’s perspective and how to show compassion. Emotion Management:  Students learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings, such as anxiety or anger. Problem Solving:  Students learn a process for positively solving problems with others. Your child will be learning a lot this year—and he or she will need your help! Your child will be bringing home Home Links that go with several of the Second Step lessons throughout the year. Home Links are simple, fun activities for you and your child to complete together. They are an excellent way for you to understand what your child is learning and for your child to show you what he or she knows. There are many resources available to your family through the program. To access these resources, follow the steps below:

Directions: 1. Go to www.secondstep.org 2. Find the “New Users” section on the right side of the page and click the “Get Started” button 3. Enter the profile information 4. Enter the Activation Key (no spaces) that corresponds with your student’s grade 3. Explore the resources available to your family and reinforce the skills at home. 4. If you have multiple students in multiple grades, click on the “Kit Activation” button and enter the next Activation Key. 5. There is not a Family Link option for the 6th-grade curriculum Grade Activation Key Kindergarten SSPKFAMILY70 Grade 1 SSP1FAMILY71 Grade 2 SSP2FAMILY72 Grade 3 SSP3FAMILY73 Grade 4 SSP4FAMILY74 Grade 5 SSP5FAMILY75 If you have any questions about the Second Step program, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher for more information. Thank you for supporting your child in learning the skills that lead to success in school and life.