Why wait until seventh grade to do this stuff?  I tutored/mentored kids and taught some of these skills starting first grade.  Anti-bullying skills, assertiveness training, military "whole man (woman) concept", and other good stuffs.  My California had  huge mentoring programs, as reported on local PBS, early 1990s time frame.  Three hour program.  I called DOE and was told they would "open a file".

Military personal, about E-5 and above are all "teachers".  "Life and death" stuff.  Veterans: An unused community resource.

Let me work with your worst students and I can help.  Jefferson School was pleasantly surprised, and pleased.