Lower School Ethical Education

Each week, Lower School students have lessons in social emotional learning curriculum, using research-based programs such as Second Step and Responsive Classroom designed to promote social competence and reduce children’s social and emotional problems. The curriculum teaches problem-solving skills through a focus on three main areas: empathy, impulse control, and anger management.

In first through third grades, social emotional curriculum helps students recognize and empathize with others’ feelings, practice peaceful problem-solving strategies, and manage strong emotions.

Fourth and fifth graders continue borrowing from Steps to Respect, which emphasizes inclusivity and friendship building. Through these lessons, students develop the skills to resist and respond to bullying situations.

Learn More About Social-Emotional Learning

Quarterly visits to St. Margaret’s for Community Chapels reinforce lessons revolving around honesty, kindness, responsibility, and respect and acceptance of religious and cultural differences. Community Chapel begins and concludes the year and is used for community recognition of Earth Day and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

As third through fifth graders begin using one-to-one iPads and email accounts, faculty and staff teach them about a responsible digital presence. Students adopt Common Sense Media’s T.H.I.N.K. test (is a statement true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind?) to examine their online communication for appropriateness as they learn to be considerate online.

The oldest students on the McCarthey Campus team up with beginning schoolers for our Buddies program: together, they read, make art, play outside, and share in the sheer joy of learning. Kindergartners feel more comfortable transitioning to first grade and the biggest building on campus after they have a personal tour from an older, wiser friend. Fourth and fifth graders enjoy developing their leadership skills, serving as role models, and forging memories with their younger peers. Beginning schoolers learn to support each other through respectful behavior and benefit from the seasoned advice and special friendship of a Lower School “buddy.”

Lower School students participate in grade-level projects focusing on the local community and the wider world. These activities have served the Nature Conservancy's Rainforest Project, Primary Children’s Hospital, the International Rescue Committee, Tracy Aviary, the Road Home, the Mali Health Organizing Project, the Navajo Water Project, Tree Utah, animal services, and the Utah Food Bank. A highlight of Lower School service is the buddy program, where fourth and fifth graders mentor preschool buddies. Teachers also support student-driven initiatives such as recycling and the occasional charitable fundraising effort. Division-wide service initiatives have included the October Food Drive, the clothing and book drives, the McCarthey Service Day Celebration, e-waste recycling with Hogle Zoo, clothing drives for recently resettled refugees in Utah, the Be Idle-Free clean-air campaign, and the Go Green Days walk/bike/carpool to school initiative. Grade-level projects connect with the general curriculum to extend and enrich learning.