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SOS Explanation

What is the SOS Program?

This first phase of the SOS program includes a unique activity, entitled “GOto5”. This has resulted in every student identifying five personal resources/people they can go to if they need help or support.  The SOS team leads this activity and every student creates a small card with the names and contact information of their personal resources that they carry with them at all times. (See image below.) It acts as a reminder that they have others in their life that love, care and are there for them if they need help, or just someone to talk to.

The second phase of the program includes sessions on Indicators of Stress and the Development of Coping Skills.  The third phase includes lessons in the Development of GRIT. According to University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth, grit is defined as a passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. It is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint.  

 

SOS


Highlights

  • The Lake Orion SOS team now includes 270-plus students in grades 9-12.
  • More than 3,500 high school students in grades 9-12 and 700-plus Lake Orion middle school students have received the SOS lessons.
  • The Lake Orion SOS program was recently recognized by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners with a proclamation to honor its dedication and commitment to making a difference.
  • The Lake Orion SOS team has conducted presentations on the program at the Oakland University Student Leadership Conference for two years in a row.
  • The SOS team has received numerous requests from other school districts to train their students in the program.
  • Channel 4, “Click on Detroit” aired a special news broadcast about the SOS program.  

It is important to note that the SOS students’ roles are NOT to act as counselors or to evaluate whether a person is in crisis; rather their role is to inform a school counselor or administrator who can follow up and get that person the help that they need.