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posted April 6, 2021

As part of our Project Orange program, Happiness 360 in one component that will focus on providing mental health resources to not only students and staff but to their support systems and the overall Cardinal community.

"The system is based on the parable The Orange Frog, written by Shawn Achor," explains Cardinal Social-Emotional Artistic Learning (SEAL) Interventionist Bethany Short. "Shawn and his crew teamed up with CCSD to develop a relatively new concept: a K-12 general education Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum."

We're beginning to pilot the program this month and it will roll out in phases as the school year comes to a close in prep for a full launch next school year.

Example of elementary lesson

Every Monday, students will have 20 to 30 minutes of instruction in the new curriculum that will teach social and emotional skills students might not learn otherwise. These skills will assist them in navigating and processing their feelings in healthy and constructive ways as they mature. 

"For the first time, students will receive social and emotional skills alongside math, reading and writing," Ms. Short says. "At Cardinal, we know we have to get in their heart before we can get in their head."

All grade levels will receive similar lessons with teachers able to adapt the curriculum for their students' age level. 

"The idea is that all staff will use same language and images to create a cohesive environment for students to learn and grow with the curriculum," Ms. Short says.

The goal of the program is to fill the SEL gaps students are facing today. 

"My overarching goal is to meet students where they are," Ms. Short says. "Students, more than ever, need to know what it takes to be intentional, build happiness, and work towards a life of positive mental health."

We're happy to note that news of our focus on mental health is already making its way through the community. The Ottumwa Courier interviewed Ms. Short for an article about the project last month. 

Read the Ottumwa Courier Story

If you have any questions about the program, Ms. Short is happy to talk more about the program's curriculum and other Project Orange initiatives. Contact her at bethany.short@cardinalcomet.com.

My real endorsement of Cardinal Schools and its faculty and staff can be seen each morning when I hand them the one irreplaceable and most valuable thing in my life: my kids. No letter I write could be a greater endorsement than that simple act. I give them my kids, and I do it with a huge smile on my face because I trust them to do what they are most outstanding at: building our future.
Kevin S. Maggio · Cardinal Parent
Cardinal School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age (for employment), socioeconomic status (for programs), religion, disability, creed, national origin, marital status (for programs), sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity in its educational programs and employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or grievance related to this policy, please contact the district’s equity coordinator, Cindy Green.

The Cardinal Community School District offers career and technical  programs in the following service areas:
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Cindy Green - cindy.green@cardinalcomet.com
Middle School Principal/Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Equity Coordinator
4045 Ashland Rd.
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531

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