67 E-Pulse - November 2018

Information for District 67 families and

community members, in conjunction with the

District 67 Emotional Awareness Committee and

APT Emotional Wellness Committee

November 2018

Did you know...

The difference between Emotional Wellness Committee (EWC) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

D67 is in the process of implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) district-wide! (What exactly is SEL? Click here for 25 Things to Know About SEL).

A K-8 D67 SEL Task Force piloted SEL programs and made site visits to learn more about the leading research-based SEL programs. As a result, Lions Quest was selected as the primary resource for direct teaching of SEL.

DPM is embarking on a 5-year goal to become a National School of Character using the 11 Principles framework developed by the Character Education Partnership (Character.org).

To read back issues of the 67 E-Pulse , please visit the Emotional Wellness page of the district website.

Parents and School... a Partnership

What Do We Mean When We Say 'Social And Emotional Skills?' - More and more, people in education agree on the importance of schools' paying attention to more than academics. This article sheds light on all the different ways Social Emotional Learning has been referred to in recent years.

Raising Grateful Kids: Why Giving Thanks Is Good for the Soul - For preschoolers, gratitude means learning how and when to say “thank you” to others. As children get older, gratitude can expand to include recognizing how people contribute to the community in large and small ways.

EWC Parent Speaker Series Survey of Future Presentation Topics - The EWC strives to support the social and emotional wellness needs of our community. Please click this survey link and provide your input so that we can offer programming specific to your interests.

For Our Staff

Creating Emotionally Intelligent Schools, Training in Social and Emotional Learning Skills Begins With Educators

10 Steps to Self-Care - Self-care may be an overused buzzword, but it's critical. Many of us have scaled back our kids' commitments, yet still have trouble achieving balance in our own lives. We take ten minutes for lunch and listen to our voicemail in the car. If we exercise, it may be at the expense of sleep. Our friendships take a backseat when we connect through texts instead of over lunch. If we follow the advice we give children, we can restore equilibrium.

The Compliments Project - Learn how 8th grade health teacher in Stillwater, New York, Stephanie MacArthur’s project inspired her students to share compliments. This is a must see for teachers!

A Dose of Emotional Wellness For the Kids

50 Must-Have Picture Books to Teach Social Emotional Skills - This comprehensive list of social and emotional themed books encourage kids to explore everything from empathy, kindness, and emotional management, to thinking through grief and anger.

15 Books for Kids Experiencing Anxiety - According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one out of every eight kids has an anxiety disorder. Literature can be a great springboard for discussing ways to cope with anxious thoughts.

October 2018 Stall Street Journal

November 2018 Staff Street Journal

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Technically Speaking

Social Media’s Impact on Students’ Mental Health Comes Into Focus - The very definition of “social” media may be misleading, according to experts who are finding that the more time teens spend on social media, the lonelier and more anxious they are. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control issued some sobering statistics about student anxiety and depression. Teens are more lonely, anxious and depressed than ever.

Your Local EWC

Upcoming Events

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Tuesday, November 20 – DPM “Families” Introduction. In an effort to create meaningful connections, foster a sense of community and belonging, and connect staff and students across the campus, DPM students will be assigned a “Family” on November 20, 2018. Each family will consist of 12 students (3-5th graders, 3-6th graders, 3-7th graders, 3-8th graders) and a staff member. Goals Addressed during “Family” time:

To build safe, meaningful, long-term relationships and connections across the 5-8 DPM community, both for students and faculty.
A fun engaging place where all students feel welcomed, valued, and respected.
A place where student voice drives the experience.

Tuesday, November 20 – DPM Assembly with Matt Wilhelm . Sponsored by the Spirit of 67 Foundation , this Anti-Bullying BMX School Assembly empowers kids to become confident, caring, and kind.