Classroom Connection Coming Soon!

Happy New Year! We are excited to announce Classroom Connection will be available for purchase this spring! This new classroom-based adaptation of the award winning CBSG® Program will continue the important focus of supporting positive mental and behavioral health in children and youth. Details on how to preorder will be available soon. For a detailed overview of this new adaptation check out the new Classroom Connection flyer.

Throughout 2024, each issue of Training Connects will focus on one of the CBSG Program’s five Domains and Section Topics. Also included will be activity instructions and a worksheet when appropriate. The activities can be used in a CBSG or classroom setting.

I AM – Self-Awareness

Major Message: I AM likable, capable, unique, and valued.

Classroom Connection Section: I AM - Knowing & Celebrating Us!

Introduction:

When we are self-aware, we recognize our strengths as well as our weaknesses or challenges. We can identify our strengths by identifying what we are good at doing, what we are drawn to and enjoy, or what we have a talent for. We don’t need to feel embarrassed by our challenges-we all have them! Maybe we haven’t learned how to do something YET or it just doesn’t interest us.

It is good we aren not all the same. If we all shared the same strengths and challenges, not only would it be a boring world, but we would also lack the diversity we need to make our world a better place.

Activity Instructions:

• Distribute the age appropriate “Strengths Inventory” Worksheet. (E) – Elementary students; (M/H) Middle/High School students.
• Read the strengths aloud and give students the opportunity to place a checkmark if they believe this is a strength they have.

Discussion Questions:

• Ask for someone to share a strength they identified. How can this help you now and in the future?
• What did you learn as a result of this activity?
• Identify a practical way you will use what you learned.

We look forward to the launch of this new CBSG® Program adaptation in the spring and exploring all the domains each month in Training Connects!

Rainbow Days 2024 Pot of Gold Luncheon Keynote Speaker:

Erin Gruwell, Freedom Writers Foundation

Rainbow Days is excited to announce that the 2024 Pot of Gold Luncheon Keynote Speaker is Erin Gruwell. Erin Gruwell, a dedicated educator, author, and advocate for social justice, gained national recognition in 1998 when she and her students, known as the Freedom Writers, were featured on ABC's PrimeTime Live. Despite facing poverty, gang influences, and violence, Erin guided all 150 Freedom Writers to graduate high school and pursue higher education, a remarkable achievement. Their inspiring story was captured in The Freedom Writers Diary, a bestselling book later adapted into the impactful film Freedom Writers, starring Hillary Swank. Erin's commitment to equity led her to establish the Freedom Writers Foundation, receiving prestigious awards for her advocacy.

Through TV appearances, publications, and a PBS documentary, Erin's message of hope and the power of education has reached diverse audiences. Whether in the classroom or otherwise, Erin's powerful message of hope and possibility will resonate with any audience she encourages "to stand up, speak up and speak out."

Rainbow Days is thrilled to welcome an influential leader who is equally as passionate about helping youth as we are. We hope YOU will join us on April 19, 2024, at the Westin Galleria Dallas Hotel for our 2024 Pot of Gold Luncheon.

Register TODAY for a

CBSG® Program Facilitator Training