Join our mailing list November 2019

Newsletter of the Center for Educational Improvement

Gratitude, Collaborations, and Healing

Dear Educators, Gratitude. A simple word that can shift our perspectives. Here are two links to gratitude activities in the classrooms from (1) Greater Good and (2) Morningside Center . Gratitude practices can enhance our mindfulness and sense of well-being. At CEI, we are grateful that we have the opportunity to share and learn from so many dedicated educators. In this month’s Wow!ED, learn about our Courageous Conversations with the Childhood-Trauma Learning Collaborative in New England and also get a briefing on two tools being promoted nationally as part of the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center: the National School Mental Health Curriculum and SHAPE (a system for evaluating school mental health support). Also this month, we feature Joan Cavallo, a principal in St. Albans City, Vermont.

Courageous Conversations and Healing Practices: Reflecting on The State of Mental Health in New England Schools By Dana Asby, CEI Director of Innovation & Research Support School leaders from the six New England states, through the Childhood-Trauma Learning Collaborative (C-TLC), learn from experts and each other about best practices for confronting the trauma, toxic stress, and mental health concerns that make academic achievement challenging for students and staff. On Monday, October 28, the C-TLC convened in Worcester, MA, for its second in-person meeting where Fellows shared the work that they’ve been doing in their schools to further student well-being. They also had courageous conversations about how to spread their expertise to the greater education community through meaningful collaborations. Read more .

National School Mental Health Curriculum Launched to Help School Districts Support Student Mental Health By Kaela Farrise, CEI Intern Over the past few years, mental health support and education have become focal points in discussions around ways to improve the performance and overall well-being of students across the nation. Though an admirable goal, integrating mental health education and support into existing school structures and curricula can be challenging for a number of reasons. In July, the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) in conjunction with the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH), released its National School Mental Health Curriculum to assist schools in incorporating mental health supports and education into every aspect of school life from classroom education to community projects and student and family support services (Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network, 2019).   Read more.

School Health Assessment and Performance Evaluation System (SHAPE): School Leader Perspectives By Jill Flanders, former elementary school principal, and Heather Pach, school psychologist As more schools understand the value of mental health screening, questions arise around best practices for setting up systems for the screening and evaluation process. The National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) has led the development of the School Health Assessment and Performance Evaluation (SHAPE) System to guide schools in answering some of those questions. SHAPE is an assessment and data collection tool developed for the express purpose of supporting school mental health services and quality improvement by using evidence-based practices for screening and response to diagnoses. The Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network has been assisting the NCSMH in developing curricula and activities for SHAPE for direct application in school districts across the country. Some of the nation’s leading experts in social emotional learning, children’s mental health, and curriculum development have come together to provide a tool for school leaders to use to guide their process of designing a mental health service support team. Read more.

Special Invitation Childhood-Trauma Learning Collaborative (C-TLC) Webinar Series

Are you/your colleagues looking for mental health resources to better support your students?   Join us for a series of online events designed to strengthen mental health supports that address the needs of children who have experienced/are at risk of experiencing significant trauma.

Watch archived webinars on school mental health issues. Psychosocial Deprivation & Neurocognitive Functioning with Dr. Sonya Troller-Renfree Thursday, January 14 at 4 p.m. Check our events page for a registration link soon. 2020 webinar topics will include: Courageous Conversations Secondary Implementation of Mindfulness Practices Teen Suicide Cultural Competence

Featured C-TLC Fellow: Addressing Trauma with Joan Cavallo, St. Albans City School Principal  By Dana Asby, CEI Director of Innovation & Research Support In her 12 years at St. Albans City School, a Pre-K-8 school of 800 students, Joan Cavallo has been adapting her leadership to meet the needs of her students. St. Albans City, a high poverty area, has significant needs for mental health support. The school realized that it must create a compassionate school community in order to serve the students holistically. They have implemented an impressive array of programs to “create an environment that is safe and loving while providing academic rigor that students can access.” Read more .

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Heart Centered Learning Stipend Winners Update Our Heart Centered Learning School Stipend winners are using their funds to promote a compassionate school community! B.F. Norton Elementary School (RI) is helping their students and staff become more aware of their emotions and stress by implementing mindfulness and Conscious Discipline throughout the school day. The HCL Stipend will help with professional development for staff. Staff from the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute in Brookline, MA, provided professional development to Broad Street School (MA)  on the effects of trauma on the brain. Lee Elementary School (MA) expanded their Morning Mindshift program to ease K-2 students who have trauma histories or social emotional and/or mental health needs into each day by giving them opportunities to explore emotions through art before school. St. Albans City School (NH) purchased materials for a mindfulness program that helps students with critical thinking, communication, reflection, and citizenship skills. To qualify for the next round of HCL Stipends, have 7 or more members of your school staff take the S-CCATE survey and check this page in the coming weeks.

New Publication: Visioning Onward Available February 2020 Preorder for a 20% discount This book provides school leaders with a practical guide for creating a vision that can transform any and all schools into a 21st century learning environment. ISBN: 9781071800157. Read more.

Learn More: Opportunities in New England Improving School Mental Health The New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center and and the Center for Educational Improvement invite school leaders in the New England region to learn more about the Childhood-Trauma Learning Collaborative . Applicable States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

Starting the Conversation “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer As educators, our work requires us to persist side-by-side and to light each other’s flames. Whose light can you help shine a little brighter? Sincerely,

Christine Mason, Ph.D. Executive Director

See what's happening on our social sites: ‌ ‌ ‌