MCEC Student 2 Student ECHO
This 6-part professional learning community series, designed for MCEC Student 2 Student® (S2S™) Advisors and helping professionals within schools, addresses student behavioral health and well-being through components of the S2S program.
Each session will provide evidence-informed practices and an opportunity for collaborative discussion to address challenges shared by S2S Advisors and ECHO participants. The S2S ECHO® series is designed for S2S Advisors, school administrators, and school-based behavioral health professionals including school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists.
Each session is held virtually on the third Thursday of each month from 12-1 pm EST, September, October, and November 2024, February, March, and April 2025.
Session 1 – Beyond School Tours: Welcoming Practices Throughout the School Year
S2S Core Value: Climate & Culture
September 19, 2024
Welcoming transitioning students and creating a sense of belonging goes beyond campus tours. Explore the best welcoming practices used by S2S Programs to ensure new students feel supported and build meaningful connections past the first two weeks of school.
Objectives:
- Understand the unique challenges of transitioning students at each school level.
- Identify evidence-informed practices that ease transitions and support student wellbeing.
- Learn how to implement effective school-wide welcoming practices.
Session 2 – Building Connection through Service
S2S Core Value: Service
October 17, 2024
Thriving S2S programs have one thing in common – an investment in school and community service. Learn how to incorporate service projects into your S2S program to build connections, address student well-being, and improve S2S program participation.
Objectives:
- Understand how service fosters relationships, builds connections, and impacts student wellbeing.
- Explore different service project types to grow S2S program participation and facilitate team building.
- Learn tips to plan student-led service projects with limited resources.
Session 3 – Relationship Building Through Effective Communication
S2S Core Value: Relationships
November 21, 2024
Student and adult relationships benefit from effective communication. Learn how to use foundational communication skills to actively listen, build relationships, foster understanding, and create connections with and between students.
Objectives:
- Identify how effective communication skills are used to create meaningful connections and build relationships
- Learn the different components of effective communication
- Demonstrate an understanding of effective communication skills
Session 4 – Using Character Strengths and Team Building to Support S2S Programs
S2S Core Value: Leadership
February 20, 2025
S2S Advisors play a key role in mentoring student leaders. Understanding how students can apply their unique characteristics strengths to their everyday life can help students overcome obstacles, embrace challenges, and become well-rounded leaders. Explore activities that foster leadership development and teamwork through VIA Character Strengths.
Objectives:
- Understand the 24 VIA Character Strengths and how they apply to youth.
- Learn how to use character strengths to address challenges, improve relationships, and build self-confidence.
- Explore different team building activities designed to foster leadership development through hands-on learning.
Session 5 – S2S and Unique Transitioning Student Populations
S2S Core Value: 100% Acceptance
March 20, 2025
Peer-to-peer transition support programs offer all transitioning students an opportunity to thrive on a new campus. Learn how S2S can support other highly mobile student populations beyond military-connected youth through program delivery and adaptation.
Objectives:
- Understand the unique needs of different transitioning student populations.
- Identify specific evidence-informed practices that can be used for different highly mobile student populations.
- Learn how to customize welcoming practices to support a diverse student population.
Session 6 – Effective New Student Orientations
S2S Core Value: Academics
April 17, 2025
Hosting a separate New Student Orientation can reduce anxiety, stress, and fear for transitioning students and parents. Learn the components of an effective new student orientations and how they differ from traditional back-to-school events.
Objectives:
- Understand the potential behavioral health impacts of changing schools
- Identify ways to reduce anxiety, stress, and fear through a new student orientation
- Learn the components of an effective new student orientation
Student 2 Student (S2S) is a peer-to-peer student-led program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment for all, support educational opportunities, build connections through service, and ease transitions.
Students make a positive impact on their school and community using the S2S six core values: Leadership, Academics, Service, Climate and Culture, Relationships, and 100% Acceptance.
