Success Stories 24 "Sources of Strength has made a great impact on the school climate Teachers at Garrett Middle School. The positive culture change and increased student-adult relationships have been beneficial in creating a safe school environment for all. The diverse peer leader team is able to impact all social groups through our school, developing a strength- focused mindset in students and staff." "The wheel is important when emotions like stress, anger, and Students anxiety take over in our brains, creating a reliable set list of people, activities, and habits we can turn to when we feel so overwhelmed by these emotions. It allows us to make rational decisions before we make ones that are too late to take back. When difficult situations spring into our lives, we need to identify ahead of time a variety of options we can turn to that fit that particular moment -- whether that is stopping to talk to a [trusted adult] right away, or doing one of the healthy activities." Community The SCT was able to identify a problem in the community that involved schools, students, and adult professionals. The team developed a relationship with the Allen County Public Library that included training for adult library staff as well as summer Team Reads youth employees. When a SCT member complemented a student on their reflective abilities, the student replied, "It is because of programs like this that we are able to express ourselves." www.schoolcareteam.org 09