The Core Project

We’re offering a FREE training called Finding Calm in the Chaos. It’s exactly what it sounds like: an Emotional Regulation Training designed specifically for adults who work in schools.

This 2-hour, to-the-point session is led by Greg Sommers, LPC, a licensed mental health professional who specializes in educator support. He’ll help you:
• Understand your emotional triggers
• Learn how to regulate those big reactive moments with challenging students and behaviors
• Build confidence and connection with all students

Our goal is to help educators feel grounded and confident again and to remind you that you’re not alone in this work.

thecorepro.com/calm

We’ve heard from so many teachers and school counselors experiencing anxiety... wondering if they aren’t good enough, feeling panicky about work, and questioning how effective they are in their role.

We know we have an opportunity to help educators in this way, so we are offering a free training called Finding Calm in the Chaos. Finding Calm in the Chaos is exactly how it sounds. It’s an Emotional Regulation Training specifically for adults who work in schools, and we’re offering it to any educator or counselor who needs it this fall.

Greg Sommers, a licensed mental health professional who specializes in educator support, is providing this training. He will cover all the good stuff in a 2-hour, to-the-point session to help educators understand their triggers, learn to regulate big reactive moments with challenging students and behaviors, and figure out how to connect with all students. Our goal is to help educators feel grounded and confident again.

This training also comes with an opportunity to connect with Greg who will be available to provide follow-up consultation for those teachers, counselors, or schools who are needing an extra level of support.

Pass this along or sign up here:
https://thecorepro.com/calm

The Core Project | Developmental Strengths Curriculum for 6-12 Empowering students with practical skills for academic success and personal growth. Middle School SEL Curriculum, High School SEL Curriculum, Educator Training and Conferences.

Sometimes when a student says something that catches you off guard, seems random, sarcastic, or even a little silly, it might actually be their way of reaching out.

In relationships, we call that a “bid for connection.”

It’s a small gesture or comment that says, “Will you notice me? Engage with me? Care about what I care about?”

And how we respond matters.

When we meet those bids with curiosity instead of dismissal, we send a powerful message:
👉 “You matter. I see you.”

That’s what looks like: simple, human moments that help students feel safe and connected, one interaction at a time. 💛

It’s easy to overlook the problem that’s right in front of us.
Technology is everywhere, and for our students, it’s everything.

But sometimes it feels big.
It feels complicated.
And it’s hard to know where to start.

You don’t want to make technology the villain. After all, we all rely on it every day. But you can probably think of a handful of students who are struggling: constantly scrolling, comparing, anxious, or just checked out. They need help finding digital balance, but where do you begin?

That’s where the Digital Wellness small group curriculum for Middle & High School students comes in...

This six-session small group curriculum helps students understand how technology impacts their emotions, focus, and self-worth and gives them practical ways to build healthier digital habits.

It’s counselor-supported, student-centered, and ready to launch with everything you need:
📘Session plans and facilitator guides
📝Handouts and Core Challenge cards
💌Consent forms, flyers, invitations, and promotional materials
🔑Access to the Core Groups online portal

Created by licensed counselors and educators (including a former competitive gamer turned mental health professional Tyson Durbin), this unit opens the door to honest, meaningful conversations about life online without judgment or fear.

Core Groups | Small Group Curriculum — Middle School SEL Curriculum — High School SEL Curriculum Core Groups Tier 2 Curriculum for Middle & High School Students Core Groups™ Small Group Curriculum Categories: Relationships | Core Foundations | Mental Health Skills | Technology | Relationships Core Foundations Mental Health Skills Technology Beyond :: Core Groups™ Curriculum Package $299.00 ...

🌟 “It doesn’t take a best friend to be a real friend.” 🌟

Corvallis Middle School in Montana printed our poster with this reminder, and we couldn’t love it more. 💛

When we ask students, “What makes a real friend?” we hear things like:
👂 a good listener
💬 encouraging
🤝 kind & supportive

The best part? These aren’t qualities reserved for our best friends. They’re ways of being human that we can offer to anyone.

Just like how we don’t all need to be therapists to support mental health, we don’t need to be someone’s BFF to make them feel seen, valued, and cared for. That’s the heart of .

The Core Project offers a variety of skill-building and wellness experiences for both students and educators. While we provide services nationwide, we're proud to be based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where local schools and individuals benefit from direct access to in-person services led by our trained facilitators and licensed professional counselors.

This summer, we are excited to be offering a 5-session small group experience for TEENS called BEYOND, facilitated by Greg Sommers, LPC.

Topic: Beyond
You are more than the worst thing you've done. More than the label. The habit. The moment you wish you could take back. It can be hard to move forward when people don’t see past all that.

BEYOND is a space for teens who may need to be reminded of who they really are—and who want a fresh start without needing to have it all figured out.

You’ll be part of a small group of teens, led by a trusted guide and small group facilitator, where you’ll get space to talk about real stuff—without judgment, pressure, or pretending everything’s fine. This isn’t a class or a lecture. It’s a chance to think differently, speak honestly, and feel a little more understood.

If you’ve ever felt boxed in by your past, doubted yourself, or just wished someone really got you—you’re not alone. You’ve got more to offer than what people see on the surface, and this group is about helping you find that again.

Register at thecorepro.com/experiences

*This class is therapeutic in nature and designed to support emotional well-being, but it is not a substitute for individual or group therapy.

River City Middle School students making an impact through leadership and skill building.

River City Middle Schoolers practice peer support through leadership program A hike in the woods, a deep breath, reading a favorite book. These are just a few stress-relieving activities River City Middle School Titan Leadership Team members recommended Wednesday morning as they visited different classrooms to engage with their peers.

People try to do hard things the easiest way possible.
That’s just human nature.

But creating a positive school culture?
That’s not easy.
And shortcuts won’t cut it.

It’s why Core Day exists.
To help students stretch their comfort zones.
To practice giving and receiving support.
To connect—on purpose.

It’s not always easy for students.
And it’s not always easy for adults, either.
Modeling vulnerability, trust, and compassion takes guts.

But if we want culture to shift,
we’ve got to stop avoiding the hard stuff.
We’ve got to do it.

And we think it’s worth it.
Every time.

https://cdapress.com/news/2025/apr/26/student-leaders-step-up-at-river-city-middle-school/

Student leaders step up at River City Middle School Students started the day picking up trash while walking to the Boys and Girls Club. For River City Middle School students in the new Titan leadership team, this month’s theme has been all about empathy.

Creating meaningful, high-quality student leadership events takes a lot of resources and time—but that’s where we come in. Our team loves the process of crafting experiences that leave a lasting impact, shaping both the culture and depth of your event. We’re so grateful for partners like Idaho Drug Free Youth (iDFY), who have been doing incredible work with teens in Idaho for over 30 years. Their team is so fun to work with, so knowledgable about youth and drug prevention programming, and has a history of changing lives. It’s so fun to work with groups like this, and together, we were able to create a powerful Student Leadership event.

We sent some coffee to the staff at Nezperce Jr-Sr High in Idaho this month, thanks to a nomination from one of their biggest supporters. School staff do so much every day. We hope this brought a small boost to their week.
☕️ Know a school that could use a pick-me-up? Nominate your staff for The Core Project Coffee Club!