Latin’s Children’s Roundtable Program of the Lower School Counseling Department was honored with Leading Edge recognition by the National Association of Independent Schools, the school learned in late December. Latin was one of only 12 independent schools in the country given this special honor.

Lower School counselors whose Children's Roundtable Program won the Leading Edge Award for Curriculm Innovation

The Leading Edge program recognizes and honors schools that have outstanding programs in one of four categories: curriculum innovation; global understanding; environmental sustainability; and equity and justice initiatives. The Children’s Roundtable Program, led by counselors Aveva Yufit and Cathy Gruber, won recognition in the curriculum innovation category.

“I am thrilled to see the wonderful work that our counselors do get the recognition they never seek but always deserve,” said Lower School Director Linda Hennelly. “One of the innovative things about the Roundtable Program is the extent to which the counselors and teachers work together to address children’s social, emotional, and moral development issues. It is truly a group effort, and in many cases a true partnership between the school and the families of our students.”

The Children’s Roundtable Program is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional preventive mental health curriculum in the Lower School. Counselors visit all classrooms weekly, interacting with students individually and in groups through discussion, role-play, projects, and cooperative activities. By getting to know each child well, the counselors are able to promote healthy social and emotional development, provide a forum for expression and connectedness, and offer affinity groups for children and parents that respond to particular needs. Current and past groups have offered support for international families, children dealing with serious health and bereavement issues, and children whose parents are divorced.

The Leading Edge Program’s goals are to recognize leaders in independent education and to showcase those leaders so that they can become models of best practices for other schools to emulate. Schools compete in three different enrollment categories, small, medium, and large. With an enrollment of 1,083 students, Latin is considered a large school.

An award ceremony will take place in Boston at NAIS’ annual convention in March, at which time the school officially will be presented with its award.

© 2008 The Latin School of Chicago

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