Plum Borough School District became the 12th district to enroll in The Consortium for Public Education’s Skills for Life program, which helps schools address age-appropriate social and emotional issues as part of their curricula.

Guidance counselors in all five of Plum’s elementary schools are set to begin training to provide the Life Skills curriculum. At the elementary level, the curriculum helps students in grades three through six develop self-esteem, positive attitudes and healthy behaviors, said Jennifer Sethman, who coordinates the program. Sethman said beginning this support during the elementary grades is important because it helps students begin to develop coping skills as they move toward the challenges of adolescence.