Date

12-2025

Document Type

Capstone Project (Open Access)

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Health, Human Services and Public Policy

Major

Collaborative Health and Human Services

Abstract

This capstone project was developed to implement a Student Leadership Club for elementary students’ in response to high levels of bullying influenced by unmet social emotional needs, family stress and increased access to technology. The project took place at Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary School within the Alisal Union School District (AUSD). A predominantly Latino, multilingual and economically vulnerable TK- 6th school in Salinas, CA. The eight week curriculum was designed to strengthen leadership skills through self and peer nominations to help promote bullying prevention among fifth and sixth graders. Weekly meetings focused on communication, empathy and upstander behaviors. Pre and post surveys were used to assess changes in knowledge and awareness, results showed a 17.5 % increase in students' understanding of bullying and 29.5% increase in likelihood to report bullying to an adult. These findings indicate that the project successfully enhanced students' leadership skills and their confidence in responding to bullying. Next steps recommended for the school include requiring all teachers to participate in monthly social emotional learning (SEL) presentations to ensure consistent reinforcement of SEL and to strengthen early intervention efforts aimed to further reduce bullying at school.

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