Too Good for Violence

Too Good for Violence™

Too Good for Violence™ K-8 is a school-based prevention program that uses the same research, theories, strategies and format that propelled Too Good for Drugs to national prominence, including Model Program designation from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Too Good for Violence™ K-8 addresses the most significant risk and protective factors at each developmental level to help students learn the skills and attitudes they need to get along peacefully with others. Curriculum features include:

• Built-in character education traits
• Updated teacher resources, recommended books, videos, website and more
• Interactive exercises for parents and kids to build important family bonds and reinforce critical prevention skills at home
• Information for teachers, instructions for role-playing, normative education, bullying prevention, anti-bias tips, warning signs of violence and much more
• Updated kit materials, including puppets and colorful posters

Too Good for Violence™ promotes protective factors that help children get along peacefully:

• Bonding - creating a sense of belonging that results from having opportunities to participate and receive positive recognition from peers and adults
• Norms - promoting healthy beliefs and clear, positive standards
• Skills - enhancing the social and emotional skills for coping with anger and frustration, getting along with others, communicating positively, and negotiating conflict successfully

A CAREing Approach to Violence Prevention

• Conflict resolution
• Anger management
• Respect for self and others
• Effective communication

By using these four interwoven concepts, Too Good for Violence™ K–8 is able to offer a caring approach to violence prevention. It teaches that each student has what it takes to solve conflicts peaceably and provides opportunities to practice peacemaking skills.

Character Education

Character education, the process of teaching students positive attitudes, beliefs and behaviors, is built on widely-shared ethical values which transcend religious and cultural differences and are, in fact, necessary for diverse groups to get along. In both content and teaching methods, Too Good for Violence™ K–8 promotes eight core character traits:

• caring
• cooperation
• courage
• fairness
• honesty
• respect
• responsibility
• self-discipline

Too Good for Violence™ K–8 provides a framework for schools to teach, model, discuss and celebrate these character traits. By creating opportunities for students to use these qualities, it enables schools to integrate character development into school life.

Implementation

Too Good for Violence™ K–8 will be provided in all K-8 schools. For additional information on this program contact: Lorraine Jiminez at ljimenez@erusd.k12.ca.us