RESPECT-ABLE

In the spring of 2018 I reached out to the leadership and Olmstead Elementary School and proposed creating a boys leadership group called RESPECT-ABLE and kicking it off the following school year. There is a need for this in every school and thankfully they were on board. We started planning. We decided that Monday mornings before school was the best time to do this and thought it was a great way for participating boys to kick off their week.

In September of 2018 we held our first session on a Monday morning and continued every Monday morning the remainder of that school year. Each week we had about 45 minutes and worked with 20-25 fourth and fifth grade boys. Even with limited time, we were able to have some really great conversations and share some really powerful information.

We made the final session of the year an event that parents and teachers could attend. Olmsted provided breakfast and each boy got up in front of parents, teachers and their peers and they shared their biggest take away for the year. It was a meaningful way to celebrate their commitment and learning.

Between Olmstead being torn down and Covid, it was difficult to start another group the past couple of years. We're excited to partner with UCAN to start another Respect-Able boys leadership group late summer / early fall, 2022.

More to come. Please let us know if you have any questions!

Jason Kiesau