We begin 2022 wishing you, your families, and students a happy, healthy, and hopeful New Year - who would have thought this January these words would mean so much. It has been an unexpected and turbulent start to 2022 which is why we think it is so important to add another word to the customary New Year's greeting... hopeful. We are hopeful this year will see an end to the ongoing crisis and that we will all be able to find solace and inspiration in the coming weeks and months as the days get longer and spring arrives. In the meantime, we are doing our best to provide support and resources to help see you through. Below in the newsletter you will find good ideas and helpful resources that don't require heavy lifting! Be sure not to miss the section on Spotlighting Good Ideas -- all of these ideas were shared by participants during our Coffee Chats (please join us if you haven't already!). Likewise, there is still time to participate in a wonderful workshop series which will run from January-May - Building Within: Cultivating Well-Being and Emotional Resilience in Educators. Hope to see you all at one of our School Support Network meetings or coffee chats in the coming weeks!
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Join us this year for our new workshop series "Building Within: Cultivating Well-Being and Emotional Resilience in Educators"! The first session is January 18th - don't miss it!
Research shows that educators who cultivate their own SEL practices enjoy more positive relationships with their students and see improved academic performance in their classrooms.
Designed specifically to help educators develop their SEL skills, the Building Within workshop series will feature guided personal reflections and offer tools for implementing SEL practices on a daily basis. Led by social emotional learning coaches Erica Brentan and Kathleen McClay, educators will come away with a set of activities they can take back to their schools and easily share with colleagues in their school communities.
Workshop topics include:
- Understanding, accepting, and positively responding to emotions
- Cultivating the perseverance, patience and courage needed to manage change
- Strengthening compassion and gratitude for the self and others
- Building strong, healthy classroom communities
Each interactive Zoom session will be held monthly from 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. ET from January 18 through May 17. The registration fee is $149 per person - use your ESSER funds to attend!
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Our coffee chats have been a great platform that provide the opportunity for participants to share, connect, and be inspired by one another. We have gleaned so many creative and inspiring ideas from each coffee chat and thought we would share some things we've been hearing from your colleagues:
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Plan a "dot activity" to focus on connections. The activity pushes staff to look beyond their lessons to reflect on how well they actually know their students, driving them to build real connections that can make a difference in a child’s future.
Start with a discussion with staff about what true connection really is. Have staff place dots next to pictures of students that they feel they have a connection with. Reflection session after everyone is finished about what they notice and what they got out of this. Desired outcomes: an understanding of what true connection is; discover the benefit of having a connection with students; learn different strategies to make connections.
Then students do the same with any staff in the school that they feel a connection with (list every single staff member). Follow up with students afterwards via Google form to find out: What does connection in school mean to them? Who do they WANT to be connected with?
Then staff come back together to discuss the students' responses. The goal is for every child to feel a connection with SOMEONE (younger student to older/vice versa, student to principal, etc.).
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Book Recommendation - Introducing Teddy: A gentle story about gender and friendship by Jessica Walton
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Show students works of art by famous artists. Have the students reflect on how it feels to be each person in the painting. Show artwork depicting different families and ask what feelings it elicits, etc.
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Create friendly welcoming environments by saying hello to everyone.
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"If you see it, pick it up” that’s what we do here. Teach "what we do here" at the core level with teachers and expand out to students. Take everyone back to the basics.
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Reminding everyone that “we are teaching social emotional learning already”. Provide examples of things they do naturally every day that incorporate SEL; i.e. group work and teaching them how to be a good member of the group; etc.
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Rephrase the way you word things. Remove “don't” from what we say - what CAN I do instead of what can't I do.
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Have mindful moments/brain breaks daily on the loudspeaker at different times throughout each day. Utilize techniques from the book “Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for kindness, focus and calm” with tips for teaching core social skills.
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Plan fun things for yourself on weekends (and stick to it)! Leave the troubles of the week behind and take care of yourself!
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Resolve conflicts outdoors where masks can be removed and all parties can see facial expressions. Remember that facial expressions are an important part of understanding emotions and we cannot see this when masks are worn.
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School Support Network (SSN) meetings are free and everyone is welcome to attend. Share with your colleagues! |
"Transformational SEL - An Integrated Approach"
January 19
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
It will define transformational SEL, provide the foundational principles, and share best practices for an integrated approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and SEL.
Presented by: Patrick Fennell, Founder/President, Empowerment Solutions, LLC
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SAVE THE DATES
February 16
March 16
April 27
May 18
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Coffee chats are virtual gatherings that allow schools to connect with one another. Participants have shared successes, challenges, and ideas with their colleagues during our past coffee chats. Coffee chats are held from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and are open for all to attend.
February 2
March 2
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These coffee chats where we bring together educators in similar roles. While collaborating with colleagues in diverse roles has its advantages, gathering with those in the same professional role allows you to explore more in-depth job-specific concerns, issues and potential strategies.
These coffee chats are held from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
School Counselor Network
January 12
*Please invite your SEL Coordinator(s) to attend!
MONDAY, February 7
Administrator Network
January 26
February 23
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SEL DAY 2022
Finding Common Ground, Pursuing Common Good
March 11, 2022
We know you understand the importance of SEL, but many members of our communities don’t know yet. Sign up today and help spread the word about what SEL is and why it's so critical!
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Wondering How to Use Your ARP and ESSER Funds - SCCI Can Help! |
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The School Culture and Climate Initiative provides the following:
SEL
- SEL teacher coaching (all levels)
- Professional development in all areas of SEL
School Climate
- Three-year all-inclusive, consultant supported, School Climate Assessment and Improvement Process with baseline and follow-up climate surveys for all in the school community. This process includes the integration of SEL.*
Professional Development
- Trauma-informed approaches, cultural competencies, equity, team building, SEL, and many more areas - designed specifically for your school/district
- We are able to develop a series of workshops to support your school and address specific objectives.
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
- Staff well-being PLCs/Parent PLCs
- PLCs available that bring schools together around similar jobs (school counselor/administrator) as well as shared professional development (School Support Network)
Data
- School Climate Assessment (students, staff, parents) with data analysis and in-person detailed data review
- Other assessment tools available including Equity, Social Inclusion, and Bullying Prevention
- Student and staff surveys disaggregated by key sub-groups
An Integrated Approach* to School Climate Improvement, SEL, and Equity
- We know school climate, SEL, and equity are intertwined and to be most effective any school improvement approach needs to address all three areas in a coordinated manner. We are very pleased to be able to offer schools and districts a comprehensive, customized, three-year, data-driven approach that will build capacity within staff and ensure time and resources are used most effectively. True change is hard and takes time - this integrated approach supports your school throughout the process.
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SCAIP Professional Learning Community |
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2021-2022 School Climate Assessment and Improvement Process (SCAIP) Virtual PLCs
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These PLCs are a networking opportunity designed for SCAIP schools that are just beginning; are currently in years 2, 3 or extended 4; or have completed the 3-year School Climate Assessment and Improvement Process. During the SCAIP PLCs, educators have the chance to share, learn and inspire each other.
Individual representatives or the entire Culture and Climate team are welcome to attend! Watch your email for a formal invitations to each PLC and share with your colleagues!
Save the Dates
May 10 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
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SIGN UP FOR SEL DAY 2022!
Finding Common Ground, Pursuing Common Good
March 11, 2022
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We know that social emotional learning (SEL) changes lives. Studies show that SEL delivers long-term improvements in skills, behavior, and academic performance while reducing anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. SEL competencies are also critically important for long-term success in today’s economy.
We know you get it, but many members of our communities don’t know about SEL yet.
Sign up today to showcase, promote, advocate for and support SEL in your school and community. Create an artifact and send it out on social media with the hashtag (#SELday) on March 11th. The goal is to have #SELday trending worldwide. Spread the word about what SEL is and why it's so critical!
If you create an artifact (which many New Jersey schools did for SEL Day last year!) it would be wonderful if you could send a copy of your artifact (video, photos, blogs, podcasts, etc.) with the theme of your artifact included in the subject line with one or two words (for example Kindness, Connection, Staff Morale, Student Voice, Respect) to SEL4NJ and to the School Culture and Climate Initiative. We will be sure to share the artifact on SEL Day.
We are excited to showcase and highlight the amazing SEL work taking place in our New Jersey schools!
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Article: "Culturally Responsive Social-Emotional Learning: How to Get There"
“In order for social and emotional learning to deliver maximum impact, it needs to be integrated into daily classroom routines and practices, not taught separately. SEL is not a district initiative for learning loss but is all about the culture.” Read more
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Article: "Empathy Is a Crucial Skill. Here Is How We Are Teaching It to Our Students"
“Students are often pitted against each other in the classroom. They are taught that to do well, they must rise above those around them, and the journey to success is an individual undertaking. But in my time as an educator, I have learned that not only can students succeed when given opportunities to grow and learn in the community, they thrive.” Read more
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Article: "Teachers (and Students) Can Only Take So Much"
"Rather than push more content and new initiatives, this year teachers and administrators should consider scaling back." Read more
Article: "6 Simple Ways to Build Trusting Relationships With Staff"
Being vulnerable and taking the time to build a strong foundation helps nurture the change you want to see in your school. Read more
Article: "Defending a Teacher’s Right to Disconnect"
Remember personal time? For many educators, technology has driven it toward extinction—and it’s time to get serious about reclaiming it. Read more
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"Youth Mental Health First Aid"
The Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) can provide Youth Mental Health First Aid to your school or organization at no cost. "Youth Mental Health First Aid" is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders."
If you are interested in receiving training, please email us.
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