As we head into the Thanksgiving season, we have been reflecting on the last eight months and the enormous task you have all met head-on with courage, resilience, amazing hard work and such professionalism. We continue to be awestruck by all of you. The topic for the School Support Network meeting next week is "Attitude of Gratitude" (it is going to be great!). With that in mind we want all of you to know how grateful we are to all of you. Thank you!
We are also excited to share an important update from CASEL. The SEL field has evolved tremendously since the term "social and emotional learning (SEL)" was first introduced by CASEL. Recently, CASEL released a 2020 update to the definition of SEL, their "CASEL 5" core competencies and their "CASEL Wheel" visual framework. Panaroma Ed's article "CASEL Releases New Definition of SEL: What You Need to Know” provides a helpful summary of the updates. The report also includes a link to the CASEL webinar (also listed below in Resources) explaining the changes.
"The new definition more clearly outlines the role of social-emotional learning in promoting equity in education. It also emphasizes student agency while acknowledging that the context and environment in which students live cannot be dissociated from their academic, social, and emotional development." Panorama Ed, October 2020
The changes are welcome and important - well worth a read and a watch.
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Are the Kids Really All Right?
What about the staff? We may hear bits and pieces from the most vocal members of our school community but it’s unlikely that all voices are being heard. Wouldn't it be really helpful to have a comprehensive idea of how staff and students are doing and to have actionable data to best support their needs?
The School Culture and Climate Initiative (SCCI) now offers two new tools to measure staff and student well-being. But the data is only useful when you understand what to look for and know how to use it. We support you every step of the way – survey administration, data analysis/interpretation, goal-setting and action planning. Contact Trish Heindel to discuss how SCCI can help.
NEW! Panorama Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey
This survey helps educators understand student, teacher, and staff perceptions of how supported they feel at school socially and emotionally. It also provides insight into how equipped educators feel to lead, teach, and model SEL. Click here to learn more.
NEW! Panorama Well-Being Survey
This survey focuses just on students and asks them to reflect on their wellbeing. It helps educators understand students’ positive and challenging feelings, as well as how supported students feel through their relationships with others. Click here to learn more.
Other Surveys Available through SCCI:
Equity and Inclusion Survey
Reopening School Community Needs Assessment
School Culture and Climate Assessment Survey
School Health Assessment Survey
Spectrum School Climate and Bullying Prevention Survey
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Mendham Township Middle School
Mendham Township Middle School (MTMS) has been working hard to highlight the importance of social-emotional learning at the middle school level. Middle school is typically an emotionally turbulent time, however, over the past few years there has been a noticeable spike in the stress and anxiety levels of this age group across the board. In response, a course was created titled "G.R.I.T: Growing Resilience in Tweens" that is taught to all 5th grade students on a weekly basis by the school counselor throughout the year. This course targets the youngest grade with the goal to proactively equip them with the tools to cope with the stress, anxiety, and hardships that life brings in a healthy, positive, and productive way. It also allows for in-depth rapport building with the school counselor to build a relationship early on so students feel comfortable seeking help all throughout middle school.
This course is customized each year to the group of students based on their specific social-emotional needs. The class focuses on "inner strength" and encompasses a variety of different coping skills and resilience-building techniques that the students can take with them through middle school and far into life. A sample of what is covered typically includes:
- Defining stress and anxiety
- Identifying and accepting emotions
- Developing specific coping skill action plans
- Understanding the brain and the stress response
- Mindfulness essentials
- Deep breathing techniques
- Responding vs. reacting
- Body relaxation and visualization
- Growth mindset
- Self-awareness
- The power of gratitude and appreciation
- Kindness and compassion
- Self-esteem and confidence
When the pandemic hit in March and distance learning began, MTMS also incorporated a weekly virtual SEL class for the entire school that mirrors the goals of G.R.I.T. This was a powerful experience as it allowed quality time for students to pause, process their own feelings, and develop unique strategies to cope with such an unprecedented time in the world. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a daily chat at the end of each virtual school day called the "Daily Dose of Wellness" to share mental health tips and tricks and bond with one another. Additionally, MTMS offered nightly virtual social gatherings/clubs, movie nights, a virtual talent show, and even a top chef competition to increase a sense of community and connection in distant times. While this has been a very difficult and challenging time, it has inspired the MTMS staff and community to continue to focus on the importance of the mental health and wellness of our youth for a brighter future.
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School Support Network (SSN) meetings are free to attend and there will always be time to connect with your colleagues in addition to the professional development that is provided each month! |
Attitude of Gratitude: How to Harness Life’s Simple Pleasures to Increase Resilience and Well-Being
November 18 - 1-2:30 p.m.
What does science say about the effects of gratitude on our physical, emotional and social health? How can you and your students get the most benefits from being more deeply in touch with feelings of thankfulness? Learn a variety of simple yet powerful practices that you and your students can use to develop an attitude of gratitude that will increase resilience, motivate kindness, and bring positive results to the whole school community.
Presented by: Christa M. Tinari, M.A., Senior International Trainer and Content Developer with the Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning Program
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Who is Your Schoolhouse Built For: Dimensions of Equity and Diversity in our Schools
December 16 - 1-2:30 p.m.
Conversations about creating equitable environments that appreciate diversity evoke varied responses, feelings and for some, a level of fear, confusion and/or anxiety. Equity and diversity are more than buzzwords…they are foundational to establishing, maintaining and building a positive culture and climate for all stakeholders within a school community. Meaningful conversations that lead to action require safe spaces for reflection and awareness. Successful school communities create environments that are conducive to all and empower everyone to contribute and thrive.
This interactive session will provide thought-provoking conversations around the relationship of equity to goals in education, connections between equity and diversity, the complex dimensions of diversity, and individuals’ roles and responsibilities for achieving equity and creating school cultures and climates that represent and welcome all students, staff, and families in the school community.
Presented by: Patrick Fennell, Founder/President, Empowerment Solutions, LLC
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Save the Dates (Topics TBD)
January 20 - 1-2:30 p.m.
February 17 - 1-2:30 p.m.
March 17 - 1-2:30 p.m.
April 21 - 1-2:30 p.m.
May 19 - 1-2:30 p.m.
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Embedding SEL for Academics and Antiracism
Presented by: Dr. Maurice Elias
View the PowerPoint, recording and saved chat with links that were shared here.
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Coffee chats are informal 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. All coffee chats are held from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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Save the Dates
February 3
March 3
March 24
April 14
May 4
May 26
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November is National Gratitude Month. Gratitude is more than simply saying “thank you.” Gratitude's amazing powers have the ability to shift us from focusing on the negative to appreciating what is positive in our lives.
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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 $180,000 to support a Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grants Program cycle. The cycle offers ten $10,000 district or school project grants and forty $2,000 school green team 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 EXTENDED: Friday, December 4, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET
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Grants Available Through SHAPE America Impact Schools Program
SHAPE America is dedicated to giving back to communities in high-need areas across the country so all children can learn to lead healthy, physically active lives. The SHAPE America Impact Schools grant program will provide much-needed funds — and professional development opportunities — to five eligible schools, to improve existing health and physical education programs. View all submission guidelines and then get started on your application!
Application Deadline: Thursday, November 19, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET
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Resources, Webinars and PD
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Mindful Mondays presented by Pure Edge, Inc.
Mondays in November from 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET
This Mindful Monday series, geared towards mental health providers (MHPs), will offer experiential mindfulness-based sessions designed to support the well-being of school-based MHPs as they continue to provide essential services to our community each day. Register here
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Handle with Care Virtual Symposium:
Creating Connections to Support New Jersey’s Youth
November 17 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET
Attorney General Directive 2020-09, known as the “Handle With Care Directive,” is designed to promote partnerships between law enforcement and schools to help provide a safe and supportive academic environment for children recently exposed to traumatic events known as “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs). Learn about best practices for Handle with Care implementation and interaction; develop skills to mitigate cumulative stress and trauma; and examine the connection between traumatic stress and brain development. View the flyer for more information and to register.
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CASEL Cares Webinar "Key Priorities for Evidence-Based SEL Practices"
November 17 - 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
As interest in social and emotional learning (SEL) grows, so does the commitment from educators nationwide to advancing high-quality implementation. To encourage practices in schools, communities, districts, and states, CASEL presents the Mary Utne O’Brien Award for Excellence in Expanding the Evidence-based Practice of SEL to practitioners that are leading SEL efforts to enhance the social and emotional wellness of young people. Join us to learn from the 2020 award recipients who are providing the vision and strategies for SEL: Dr. Sheldon Berman, Superintendent of the Andover Public Schools and Byron Sanders, President and CEO of Big Thought. Register here
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CASEL Cares Webinar "Innovations in SEL Research"
November 18 - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
Advancing the science for social and emotional learning (SEL) through action research is critical to growing awareness and adoption of high-quality SEL. To encourage knowledge building and a commitment to evidence, CASEL presents the Joseph E. Zins Awards for SEL action research to investigators and scholars at distinct phases in their careers. Join us to learn from the 2020 award recipients who are conducting innovative and impactful SEL research: Laura Hamilton, General Manager of Research Centers at ETS, and Clark McKown, founder and President of xSEL Labs. Register here
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Students Taking Action Together (STAT)
Q&A Webinar
November 18 - 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET
This is a free webinar for middle school and high school teachers and school support staff, especially social studies/history/civics instructors, on a set of instructional strategies that will teach your students SEL in their academic subject areas. Click here to for more information and Zoom login details.
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The above webinar titled "El Aprendizaje Social y Emocional: Una Presentación en Español" will be available in Spanish on November 20th from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET. Register here
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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. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. 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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