BMUFSD: Students Learn About Responsibility At SEL Encore Presentation

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

2023-10-20

When Todd music teacher Jenna Stufkosky was in elementary school, she learned a song during music class called “What is Responsibility?” which she always remembered. When she found out that the Encore team was working on a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) assembly, she thought of the song and contacted her former music teacher to find out more about it.

“I reached out to my teacher, Carol Horrigan, who is now retired from Huth Road Elementary School in upstate New York,” Ms. Stufkosky said. “She wrote the song herself, so she was excited when I told her that I wanted to teach it to my students. She recorded it and sent it to me.”

Recently, the entire Encore team held an SEL presentation on “Responsibility” across all grades, and Ms. Stufkosky taught students the words to the song.

“October’s SEL trait is ‘responsibility,’ so we wanted to use the theme of responsibility to prepare students for some of the exciting upcoming grade-level assemblies that we will have over the next few weeks,” said physical education teacher Michelle Hiltsley.

Ms. Hiltsley, along with all of the Encore teachers, discussed with students the importance of making good choices and taking responsibility for their actions.

They discussed expectations during an assembly, such as entering and exiting quietly, keeping to one’s personal space, being a good listener and applauding appropriately.

“We all rely upon each other to make good choices and keep the school community safe, so we have to do our part,” said art teacher Paul Villanueva. “If you see someone hurt on the playground, what should you do?” he asked the students.

Students said they would take a student who was hurt to the nurse or to an adult who can help.

After the discussion, Ms. Stufkosky taught the responsibility song to the students and everyone got up to dance and sing the song in its entirety.

After the presentation, students returned to their respective Encore classes

“I hope students like the song as much as I do,” Ms. Stufkosky said. “It now lives on with our students here at Todd Elementary School.”

This activity is in line with the district’s commitment to personal agency and encouraging students to take responsibility for their circumstances that surround them.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

What is Responsibility?

Written by Carol J. Horrigan

What is Responsibility?

Why is it such a big thing?

Is it an impossibility?

Or can we reach it and sing?

Come on everyone, there’s work to be done

Pull up a chair and don’t despair

We’ll show you the way, just start today

Do it! You’ll get there lickety split!

Before you tuck yourself into your bed

Grab your bookbag and think in your head

Lunch money, homework, permission slips

Are we going on a field trip?

Think about what you need

To make sure that you will succeed.

Check it once then check it twice

That would be my best advice!

When you get your things together the night before

You won’t have to worry anymore.

Make sure you have just what you need

Your day will be better, it’s guaranteed

Instruments, sneakers, special clothes

That’s how responsibility grows

If you count on yourself to organize

Responsibility will be your prize!

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.