First School District in Country to Launch Sanford Harmony Program Through Coordinated Effort with National University

The Sanford Harmony Program's research-based approaches promote positive peer interactions at primary grade levels; Program has already been adopted by individual schools around country

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National University

Dec 02, 2014, 12:00 ET

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sanford Harmony Program, which promotes positive peer interactions at primary grade levels and has been found to increase school engagement and academic achievement, is being adopted by Lakeside Union School District in San Diego County. The District has become the first district in the country to adopt the program, and recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate the effort with National University, the 2nd largest private nonprofit university in California.

National University President Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, philanthropist Denny Sanford, and Lakeside Union School District Superintendent Dr. David Lorden (left to right) met to formalize the agreement that makes the San Diego County-based school district the first in the country to adopt the Sanford Harmony Program. The research-based program promotes positive peer interactions at primary grade levels and has been found to increase school engagement and academic achievement.

"We believe the Sanford Harmony education program will have immediate benefit in our classrooms by creating an inspiring learning environment that sets the foundation for a more harmonious society while encouraging student achievement," said Lakeside Superintendent Dr. David Lorden.

The Sanford Harmony Program was initially developed by Arizona State University researchers, and has been introduced to classrooms and schools in Arizona. National University is leading the national rollout of the Harmony Program through the recently-created Sanford Education Center. The Center was established this year at the University through an initial donation from philanthropist Denny Sanford.

At Lakeside Union School District, teachers will receive training and materials that support the program's introduction to its schools. The Sanford Harmony Program is being introduced in the district's pre-school and transitional kindergarten schools.

The Sanford Harmony Program is one of several initiatives that are part of the Sanford Education Center at National University and that address needs in the education and nonprofit sector. The Sanford Inspired Education Programs – Sanford Harmony and Sanford Inspire - are expected to serve up to 50,000 teachers and to reach more than 650,000 Pre-K through 12th grade students by the fifth year of operation.

"These programs, based on the vision of Denny Sanford, will create immediate positive impacts in classrooms and create a firm foundation for more harmonious inter-relationships as well as inspired learning," said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the National University System and President of National University.

About National University: www.nu.edu

About Lakeside Union School District: http://www.lsusd.net/

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Anna Cearley
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SOURCE National University