Overview: At Alfred S. Faust Intermediate School, we are so excited to be facilitators for a student-run organization called the Gay-Straight Alliance (G.S.A.) for all LGBTQIAA+ students and allies. The focus of this group is to create a safe space for students to meet, support each other, and talk about shared and personal experiences. 

Standard(s) Alignment:  B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students & B-SS 4. Demonstrate empathy  B-SS 8. Demonstrate advocacy skills and ability to assert self, when necessary  M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed

Overview: Our 8th-grade students are looking forward to high school and beyond! Some are even going through a rigorous admissions process as they exercise their right to school choice! These sessions allow our students to take a career-personality assessment that puts them on a pathway of fulfillment and success!

Standard(s) Alignment:  B-LS 7. Long- and short-term academic, career and social/emotional goals, M 5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes

Overview: At Alfred S. Faust Intermediate School, we are so excited to be facilitators for a student-run organization called the Gay-Straight Alliance (G.S.A.) for all LGBTQIAA+ students and allies. The focus of this group is to create a safe space for students to meet, support each other, and talk about shared and personal experiences. 

Standard(s) Alignment:  B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students & B-SS 4. Demonstrate empathy  B-SS 8. Demonstrate advocacy skills and ability to assert self, when necessary  M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed

Overview: At Alfred S. Faust Intermediate School, we recognize that overall student achievement is achieved when looking at the whole child. The mental health benefits of meditation include better focus and concentration, improved self-awareness and self-esteem, lower levels of stress and anxiety, and fostering kindness.

Standard(s) Alignment:  M3. Sense of belonging in the school environment, B-SMS 2. Self-discipline and self-control, B-SMS 7. Effective coping skills

Overview: At Alfred S. Faust Intermediate School, we recognize that overal student achievement encompasses social development! Through traditional gaming, this group's members will have the opportunity to not only connect socially with their peers, but they will also be given the opportunity to explicitly learn and practice isolated social skills. 

Standard(s) Alignment:  M3. Sense of belonging in the school environment, B-SS2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students, B-SS6. Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills

Overview: At Alfred S. Faust Intermediate School, we believe that providing education should enrich all aspects of the students' lives. The Planned Parenthood Education & Training Department of Northern New Jersey has teamed up with Faust's G.S.A. to provide a psycho-education lesson on gender roles, stereotypes & identity, all with the goal of eliminating discrimination during No-Name Calling Week!

Standard(s) Alignment:  M 1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being 

M 3. Sense of belonging in the school environment  

Lesson Outline

Goal: Increase understanding of the negative impacts of gender stereotypes and examine traditionally male/female social roles, including the limitations of these roles.

Students will explore the messages that they receive about gender and the way that these messages can affect how people are treated.

• Definition of gender Roles & Stereotypes
• Discuss gender Identity
• “Gender Boxes” handout:

o   Students will reflect upon behaviors, actions, or qualities people are talking about when people say “Act like a Boy” or “Act like a Girl”

o   Drawing or writing inside & outside “boxes” on handout of “Acting like a Boy” or “Acting like a Girl”

• Discussion questions following: pressures, thoughts, and reflections of being inside the box and outside the box with gender roles and stereotypes
• Wrap up & Discussion

Overview: At Alfred S. Faust Intermediate School, we are so excited to provide guidance and support to our 8th grade students who are charged with the task of identifying their post-secondary options! These sessions will run from December 9th thru January 21st during, Monday thru Wednesday, from 11:00-11:45 a.m. Students will take the TypeFinder Personality Test, learn about their strengths and perspective careers that align to their personality! 

Standard(s) Alignment:  M 4. Understanding that postsecondary education and life-long learning are necessary for long-term career success B-LS 9. Gather evidence and consider multiple perspectives to make informed decisions B-SS 3. Create relationships with adults that support success

Overview: At Alfred S. Faust Intermediate School, we are so excited to be facilitators for a student-run organization called the Gay-Straight Alliance (G.S.A.) for all LGBTQ+ students and allies. The focus of this group is to create a safe space for students to meet, support each other, and talk about shared and personal experiences. This year, we will be focusing a bit more of activism! 

Standard(s) Alignment:  B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students & B-SS 4. Demonstrate empathy  B-SS 8. Demonstrate advocacy skills and ability to assert self, when necessary  M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed

Overview: Being new to anything can come with excitement and challenges! Adjusting to something is a learned skill that can be developed through explicit instruction and sharing experiences with others who are going through similar circumstances. This group is a safe space to express your thoughts, feelings and experiences with being, "the new kid". 

Standard(s) Addressed: M3. Sense of belonging in the school environment, B-SS2 Create positive and supportive relationships with other students & B-SMS7 Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem 

Overview: Characters in books are just like us! They have ups and downs just like we do! Why not discuss experiences they have, connect to them and learn life lessons through reading? The focus of this group is to create a safe space for students to meet, support each other, and talk about experiences related to friendship, peer pressure, fitting-in, being shy, bullying and empowerment! Novel selected: Because of Mr. Terupt 

Standard(s) Alignment:   M1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being, M3. Sense of belonging in the school environment, B-SS4: Demonstrate empathy & B-LS7: Identify long- and short-term academic, career and social/emotional goals