40 Developmental Assets” Presentation Opens MUSD New School Year
On Monday, August 24, teachers, staff members and administrators from Montebello Unified School District gathered at Bell Gardens High School to kick off the District-wide school year featuring keynote speaker, Clay Roberts. Mr. Roberts is a trainer for the 40 Developmental Assets program.
Prior to Mr. Roberts’ presentation, Assistant Superintendent of Pupil and Community Services, Bo Henke welcomed the attendees and emphasized that a huge plus for the District was the awarding of a four year $9 million federally-funded grant to promote school safety and health for the students of MUSD. District Superintendent Edward Velasquez opening remarks charged teachers and staffs members to ensure that all students be provided high quality learning environments Following Superintendent Velasquez’s remarks, School Board President, Gerri Guzman reiterated that MUSD will strive to move forward in the coming school year despite the challenges of cutbacks and declining enrollment. She emphasized that the 40 Developmental Assets program is critical for the development of young people and noted that all school personnel should use the quality character traits the program details.
Clay Roberts, of The Search Institute gave his featured presentation of the 40 Developmental Assets program that MUSD will be employing this year, to demonstrate how internal and external characteristics and behaviors can inspire and protect our students from risky behaviors. He maintains that fostering a healthy environment not only benefits students, but teachers and staffers can reap the rewards a positive attitude brings into the classroom. He used this clever analogy to illustrate: “Feed the staff so they don’t eat the kids”.
As a reminder for adults and students, the District is distributing 3x5 cards throughout the system to emphasize The Montebello Five and tips for fostering positive adult/student interaction. To learn more about the 40 Developmental Assets program, go to: http://www.spsg-software.com/montebello/en/grant-programs/40-development... on MUSD’s official website.
(Pictured above from left to right: Michael Cobarrubias, SS/HS Project Director; Clay Roberts, 40 Developmental Assets Trainer; Gerri Guzman, MUSD School Board President; and Robert Henke, Assistant Superintendent.)