
Steps to get into the Rainbow Program -
- Quick Referral Process allows children to start immediately after being referred.
- Timely response allows for interventions to begin before the problem continues to escalate.
PRIMARY INTERVENTION PROGRAM (PIP)
- 1 to 1 sessions for grades TK-5 with trained “special friend” paraprofessional
- 30 minutes/week in Rainbow Room – non directive play for 12 weeks
- Over 37 years of research in SRVUSD and previously statewide, proving its effectiveness
Rainbow Program

The Rainbow Program is a research based early intervention program aimed at the following objectives:
- Helping students get a good start in school
- Developing and enhancing social skills
- Fostering healthy self-concept
- Improving school adjustment
- Developing leadership skills
- Assisting with life transitions
The Rainbow Program is available at all of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District Elementary School Sites. Para-professionals are trained and staffed to work with students in the program. Each week the para-professionals meet with a School Psychologist for consultation on the students in the program.
The Rainbow Program offers the following individualized and social skills programs:
PIP Program (Primary Intervention Program)
- 1 to 1 attention from a trained paraprofessional in non-directive play sessions for grades TK-5
- 30 minutes a week in activity room for 12 weeks
- play with choices of a variety of activities such as games, art, and crafts
- Ideal for students who may be going through transitions (divorce, illness, death, family relocations, and other stressful changes)
Second Step
- Small groups of 2 to 4 students, grades TK-5 who meet weekly for 12 weeks
- 45 minutes per week in activity room - structured Second Step social skills lesson, then a supervised 10 - 15 minute free choice play time
- Units on Empathy, Problem Solving, Emotion Management, and Skills for Learning (focusing attention, listening, and staying on task)
Steps to Respect
- Small groups of 2 to 5 students, grade 3-5 who meet weekly for 15 weeks
- 45 minutes per week in activity room –social skills lesson, then a supervised 10 - 15 minute free choice play time
- Literature based social skills curriculum for 3rd – 5th graders
PALS
- Small groups of 2 to 4 students, grades TK-3 who meet weekly for 12 weeks
- 45 minutes per week in activity room - friendship lesson, then a supervised 10 - 15 minute free choice play time
- PALS focuses on building and maintaining friendships
District Coordinator for the program is Renee Nickerson (rnickerson@srvusd.net)
RAINBOW BENEFITS
Principals, teachers, and parents report the following improvements:
• Reduced bullying and teasing
• Students become more confident and assertive and are happier coming to school
• More positive overall school climate
• Fewer discipline referrals
FRIENDSHIP AND LEADERSHIP GROUPS
- Small friendship groups of 2 to 4 students that meet weekly for 10 - 16 weeks
- 45 minutes per week in Rainbow Room – literature based lessons on friendship, assertiveness, antibullying, and diversity followed by free choice play time to practice their new skills