Choices Class

Students in grades 5 through 8 have a weekly class called Choices which is a forum for bringing up issues they face as they mature. Some of these are age-old issues and some have come with contemporary life. There are issues about feeling different and being left-out, about difficulties with siblings and parents, there are questions and concerns about drugs and alcohol, questions and concerns about romance and changing bodies.

All questions and concerns are taken seriously. They are brought up, anonymously or not, with the understanding that all discussions are confidential. The students give advice and support to each other, and the teachers answer their questions with open honesty. Many former NCCL students have come back to let us know how meaningful it was to have had a place to discuss and contemplate these very important issues.