Quick Tip #1 - LST Middle School Teacher's Site!

Although we've mentioned this site in a previous post, it's SO GREAT that it warrants another shoutout! Check out this Quick Tip for implementing Lifeskills in the classroom! Use the ACTIVITIES tab on the LST Middle School Teachers' Site for lesson activators, review, and formative assessments. Use the RESOURCES tab for additional information/background related to substance abuse. Click the link below to access both resources on this site:

http://www.lifeskillstraining.com/msweb/teacher/resources.php

Success!

Wow! What a day! Thank you to all who attended the Advanced Lifeskills Training on Friday! The energy in the room was palpable, and everyone had something valuable to share. Big thanks also to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for sponsoring this important event; to Amy Lynn Shimko, our incredible trainer; and to Kat, Jeanette, and everyone at the Franklin Regional Council of Governments who have put so much time and effort into making LST a reality in Western Massachusetts and beyond.

Now it's time to take that energy and keep our fires well stoked as we head back into our classrooms, programs and other prevention-based settings to deliver this powerful curriculum. I'll be sending all of you a link to a survey to get an idea of how best to support this group via the power of technology. Look for an email from me in the next day or two. And, if you haven't already, follow our group on Twitter! @WMA_Lifeskills

In the meantime, feel free to shoot me questions that just can't wait for #lifeskillschat, and keep up the amazing work you do! I'm so inspired by the talent and dedication in this network of prevention specialists.

Best,

Kate

Kate Blair
Western Mass Lifeskills Network Coordinator

#Lifeskillschat

Quick post here, as it's getting late and I want to be fresh-faced and well rested for tomorrow's Lifeskills Training! We will certainly put the word out tomorrow, but look for the launch of #lifeskillschat on Twitter soon! What's #lifeskillschat? Well, it's a forum that uses Twitter as the platform for collaboration and discussion on a variety of topics relating to the middle school Lifeskills Training Program. We're trying to promote and support the implementation of LST in middle schools in the Franklin/Quabbin region, and we realize that not every dedicated teacher and champion of LST can attend every meeting in person. We are busy professionals in a spread-out, rural area. Thus, the concept of a technology-supported Lifeskills Network was born. By using Twitter, our Western Mass Lifeskills Network blog, and other tech-savvy initiatives, we aim to make LST implementation awesome as we support the talented educators who deliver this program in classrooms and other settings every day in our area.

If you're going to be at the training tomorrow, great! If not, and you want to stay connected to this group and initiative, bookmark this blog and follow us on Twitter - @WMA_Lifeskills.

Yours in prevention,

Kate

Lifeskills Technical Assistance Training 9/16/16 - Greenfield MA

Quick post here - but just trying to plug and promote the upcoming Lifeskills Technical Assistance Training on 9/16/16 in Greenfield! If you're a middle school teacher in a school in western Massachusetts and you've already been trained in level 1 LST, or if you're looking to support your school in its implementation of LST, then register ASAP! Click the link below to learn more and to register.

http://www.cvent.com/events/life-skills-technical-assistance-training-185-/event-summary-f461775adeb3455d92f04b17e72cb117.aspx

Space is limited and it's filling up fast! Deadline to register is Tuesday 9/13.

See you there!

Kate

Lifeskills Middle School Teachers' Website!

It's here! The start of a new school year, and for those of us working in the field of prevention education, we know that new beginnings are ripe with opportunity. In the Franklin/Quabbin area of western Massachusetts, we have the fantastic opportunity to restart Lifeskills at the middle school level. If you're like me, you're just getting started (actually, the first day of school is tomorrow for us), and if you're looking for guidance or fresh ideas for implementing Lifeskills, you've come to the right place!

Teachers of middle school Lifeskills, click on the link below to access the official Middle School Teachers' site for activities at levels 1, 2 and 3 to measure student comprehension of key concepts:

http://www.lifeskillstraining.com/msweb/teacher/index.php

Click the link below to access the Level 1 LST Assessment Tool. It includes a list of assessment activities for each unit. Printable, easy to use, and provides insight as to how well students are "getting it."

http://www.lifeskillstraining.com/uploads/media/LST%20MS%20Level%201%20Assessment.pdf

These two pages offer a wealth of ideas for getting your middle school Lifeskills program off to a great start!

If you use these resources, I'd love to hear your feedback!

Yours in prevention,

Kate