“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
-- Christopher Robin to Winnie-the-Pooh
We shared this quote in our newsletter a year ago - and wow were we ever right! What a year. Without doubt it has been unprecedentedly challenging, the learning curve staggering, the scale of the ask unimaginable. And through this challenging time something extraordinary emerged as well - the heartfelt realization of the importance of connection, of relationships, the concept of "community" in a way we never could have imagined. We are honored to have been on this journey with you and look forward to continuing to connect and support you as we move into this next year. However now is the time to highlight, celebrate, and share some of the amazing work you have done this last year! We invite each and every one of you to participate in International SEL Day on March 26th (see the details below). It is a marvelous way to share how you and your school have been making the focus on SEL and school climate come to life for the students, staff, and parents in your school community. We look forward to celebrating with all of you on March 26th and we will be re-tweeting all your amazing artifacts all day!
And check out the new video below from SEL4NJ on the importance of SEL!
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Sign up today to showcase, promote, advocate for and support SEL (broadly defined) in your school and community. All you need to do is create an artifact and send it out on social media with the hashtag (#SELday) on March 26th. 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 tweet and share the artifact on International SEL Day.
Check out the SELday toolkits to help you showcase, promote, advocate for and support SEL in your local school, organization and community.
We are excited to showcase and highlight the amazing SEL (broadly defined) work taking place in our New Jersey schools!
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View the State of New Jersey Board of Education's Resolution here.
View the New Jersey Department of Education's Proclamation here.
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Watch your inbox for updates on how the New Jersey Department of Education is celebrating International SEL Day...lots of exciting things coming soon!
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School Support Network (SSN) meetings are free and everyone is welcome to attend. Share with your colleagues! |
Compassion Fatigue: When the Distress of Others Becomes Contagious
March 16 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Compassion fatigue is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion often coupled with intrusive thoughts and feelings of ineffectiveness. It happens slowly over time when helping professionals are exposed to the traumatic stories of others. Education has always been a demanding field and the current circumstances have only exacerbated feelings of stress and anxiety. Learning about compassion fatigue is a protective factor and early detection can prevent symptoms from reaching incapacitating levels. Participants in this virtual session will explore the signs and symptoms of the onset of compassion fatigue and will explore various prevention strategies and techniques.
Presented by:
Amy F. Moritz, M.Ed., Independent Consultant and Director of Marketing and Communications for the School Culture and Climate Initiative
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Lessons from the Field: Connection, Engagement, and the Importance of Relationships Both Now and for the Upcoming Year
April 21 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Examples (K-12) will be shared of how schools have managed to build connection (for students, staff, and parents) throughout the past year and ideas that can be carried forward to the next school year.
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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 9:30-10:30 a.m. and are open for all to attend.
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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.
Administrator Network
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Call for Student Artwork! A Virtual Art Exhibit for #SELday |
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Arts Ed NJ and SEL4NJ invites all students to join us in celebrating the importance of social emotional learning (SEL) on the second annual International SEL Day on March 26, 2021.
All NJ students can participate!
Deadline is Monday, March 22.
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Celebrating SEL Day - Inspiration from 2020 |
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The inaugural International SEL Day, held on March 27, 2020 was a huge success with almost 2 million views for #SELday with 49 out of 50 states participating! New Jersey led the way and had more schools and organizations signing up and participating than any other state in the country - LET'S KEEP THIS RECORD!
Below are just a few of the projects shared from New Jersey schools last year!
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Mount Prospect Paint a rock for Panther P.R.I.D.E Pathway |
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Sparta Township
SEL Day Video
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Denville School District
SEL Day Video
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Funding for School Climate Actions |
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New Sustainable Jersey for Schools Funding Opportunity!
The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), a Sustainable Jersey for Schools program Underwriter, is contributing $100,000 to support a Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grants Program cycle. The cycle offers four $10,000 project grants and thirty $2,000 project or green team support grants. The funding supports efforts to implement projects that help participating schools make progress toward a sustainable future and gain points needed for Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. To see if you are eligible for this grant, click here.
Application Deadline: Friday, April 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
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Resources, Webinars and PD
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SEL Policy to Foster Connection after Trauma
Description
March 26 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET
This year, we’re celebrating “small” by highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities that smaller, rural school districts face while implementing SEL initiatives. Join leaders from Walker County Schools (Alabama), Kingsport City Schools (Tennessee), and Evergreen Union School District (California), who will share their experiences supporting SEL in their schools. A live Q&A with the panel will follow the presentation. Register here
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CASEL Cares Webinar "The Graduate Profile: Imagine the Possibilities on SEL Day"
March 26 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
This webinar brought to you by CASEL in collaboration with SEL4US and The Urban Assembly focuses on how educators can create a "Graduate Profile" of the social, emotional and academic skills they want all of their students to learn. Register here
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Second Step Webinar "Celebrating International SEL Day! "Small" Talk with Rural School Leaders"
March 26 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
This year, we’re celebrating “small” by highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities that smaller, rural school districts face while implementing social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives. Join leaders from Walker County Schools (Alabama), Kingsport City Schools (Tennessee), and Evergreen Union School District (California), who will share their experiences supporting SEL in their schools. A live Q&A with the panel will follow the presentation.
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Thousands of school staff across the nation have completed the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence’s new, free course, Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty and Stress, prioritizing the importance of maintaining their own and their students’ mental well-being.
As educators and school staff continue to grapple with the challenges related to the pandemic, social and political divides, and economic uncertainty, we are confident that this course will provide helpful insight and skills that they can leverage to navigate these emotional times. We are encouraged to see early participants report that they are already benefiting from practical application of the knowledge and strategies addressed in the course.
Delivered by leading experts in the fields of psychology, education, and research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, this course enables participants to complete coursework at their own pace and create an action plan to enhance their personal and professional growth.
“This was an extremely relevant and valuable tool for me as a professional and as a person in general.
The concepts that were presented were culturally and chronologically relevant, research-based, authentic,
and presented in such a way as to harness the interest of the learners while keeping them wanting more.
I think that this may truly be one of the best PDs on SEL I have ever taken.”
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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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