Youth Empowerment and Support (YES) Program

YES Program Details

Participants in the Summer YES Program

We are very excited to have Mr. J, our Success Coach, returning to RVS this year!

Our YES Program offers a variety of programming within classrooms, in small groups, as well as lunch and after school with a focus on social-emotional well-being. Programming also takes place on some no school Fridays and during the summer holidays.

Universal programming has begun in all grade 5-8 classrooms and will take place until the end of January. In February, the focus will shift to the younger students. Mr. J delivers lessons on a range of topics within classrooms, alongside the teachers. Grade 5 students are receiving lessons from the Second Step curriculum; Grade 6 students are following the Wellfulness curriculum; and Grade 7/8 lessons focus on the Healthy Relationships curriculum. All lessons will elaborate on topics such as empathy, respect, friendships, and fixed and growth mindsets.

Small group programming will begin in October which will focus on social interactions, friendships, healthy relationships, mindsets, and confidence. 

**Early Risers Program** Grade 5 students are invited to attend Early Risers. This is an opportunity to come into the gym starting at 8:00 each morning to get a little movement in before school starts. Here is the parent letter that went home.

During lunch recesses, students in grades 3-8 can ask for a ¨YES pass¨ from their teacher to hang out in the YES room to take part in unstructured activities with others from their grade. Grades are rotated throughout the week so that many students have access to this opportunity.

**After-school programs** Grade 3-5 students are invited to the "Arts and Crafts Extravaganza" program on Tuesdays (March 12 - April 9) from 3:15-4:15. Grade 6-8 students can attend the "Sports, Crafts, and Games" program on Wednesdays (Mar. 13 - Apr. 10) from 3:15-4:15. For anyone interested in joining, they can see Mr. J for a permission form.