GREEN CIRCLE PROGRAM

National Conference of Christians and Jews
777 North First Street, Mezzanine
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 286-9663
fax (408) 287-8061

The Essence of Green Circle

The Green Circle, part of a national program, has served children in Santa Clara County elementary schools since 1981 by helping them develop positive social skills through appreciation and respect for human differences, In four consecutive sessions , trained volunteer facilitators create a nonjudgmental and caring atmosphere in which the children are allowed to share their mutual feelings about being invited into, or left out of, other people's circles of caring.

Using colorful felt figures, facilitators lead classroom discussions about including and excluding others on the basis of ethnic, religious and physical differences. The children are invited to examine their attitudes and experiences and how these affect their relationships with others. Believing that self-respect is related to positive social behavior, Green Circle provides activities to enhance feelings of self-worth and uniqueness. The final presentation includes instructions on alternative problem-solving techniques.

The goal of the Green Circle program is for children to be aware that their circles of caring can always grow by including people with many differences who have their human feelings in common. The program is designed to promote intergroup awareness, understanding, and cooperation while enhancing self- esteem.

How We Serve

Green Circle offers facilitators professional and on-going training, unique support and personal benefits. Initial training includes communication and listening skills, developing ability and confidence in public speaking, methods of creating non-judgmental discussions and practice of the Green Circle script. Follow-up training helps to refine skills, raise awareness of prejudice, values clarification and creating and sharing ideas.

Friendly encouraging support is provided through facilitator-observer teams and social ties. Volunteers with diverse backgrounds become professional Green circle facilitators who experience personal growth and satisfaction from teaching Green Circle concepts.

Green Circle leaves educators with a tool for building a positive learning environment, The presentations provide a common language and conceptual framework for the school. The problem-solving techniques can be used as a model for conflict resolution, and the discussions and activities are a model to help students with interpersonal relationships.

Volunteering for Green Circle

Green Circle is a series of four presentations designed to help elementary school children develop positive social attitudes and skills, increase self-esteem, and promote acceptance and enjoyment of individual differences. By creating an awareness of common feelings and an appreciation of human differences (e.g. racial, economic, physical ect. ), Green Circle aims to prepare children for life in our pluralistic society. The Green Circle program is delivered in classrooms by trained adult facilitators. Participation in the program has many rewards for the volunteer: In choosing to be trained for Green Circle, you will be asked to attend all training sessions (usually four days of five hours participation), observe the program functioning in the classroom, participate in ongoing observations and attend monthly inservice meetings for ongoing training, support and idea exchange. Once trained, it is expected that you will commit approximately three hours per week during the school year.

The desired personal characteristics of Green Circle facilitators are a non-judgemental attitude, promptness, confidentiality, flexibility and a commitment to bettering human relations among children.

For more information, or to indicate an interest in training for Green Circle, please call NCCJ (408) 286-9663 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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