We blinked and it is already mid-October - the leaves are changing and pumpkins are appearing. We have also just finished the week of respect and have been reflecting on all the marvelous, innovative, thoughtful things you have all done in your schools to not only promote respect but to ensure every human in the building feels welcomed, valued, safe and happy to be a part of the school community. You are all doing such important work which goes a long way to providing the foundation and environment where students and staff alike can thrive. On behalf of the students and other staff members we want to say a big thank you to all of you! |
Join us this year for our new workshop series - "Building Within: Cultivating Well-Being and Emotional Resilience in Educators"!
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
The registration fee is $149 per person. Each interactive Zoom session will be held monthly from 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. between November 2021 through May 2022.
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Lodi Public Schools Social Emotional Learning Initiative |
Lodi Public Schools is making SEL and the mental health well-being of their school community a priority this year by implementing several new mental health initiatives and supports. Although the district has always worked diligently to address the social-emotional needs of students, they are now “casting a wider net” and diving deeper into social-emotional wellness by providing support, resources, and training to all members of our school community: students, faculty/staff, and families. These initiatives are an innovative approach to helping educate and manage anxiety and mental health. The consistency of the work will strengthen and continue to build on the objectives from both a preventative approach, as well as help manage anxiety/stressors in the moment.
Some examples of programs and initiatives being implemented are listed below:
- consistent faculty and staff training in both large and small group settings throughout the school year that allows for feedback, communication and collaboration
- office hours for staff to receive mental health support from a licensed mental health clinician
- hands on opportunities for faculty and staff to engage in mental health support techniques and strategies
- parent education workshops regarding adolescent/child mental health topics and information on ways to support their children
- student workshops and lessons geared towards understanding the importance of mental health and social-emotional well-being
- small group sessions with students practicing mental health techniques and strategies to implement in their daily lives
- curriculum updates to infuse more social-emotional learning tools and resources and opportunities
It is the goal of the Lodi Public Schools community to support their students holistically. They understand that in order to support students academically and ensure their academic success, their social-emotional needs must be met as well.
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School Support Network (SSN) meetings are free and everyone is welcome to attend. They are all held VIRTUALLY. Share with your colleagues! |
"Breaking Grades: How One School District Shook the System"
October 20 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Learn how a demographically diverse New Jersey school district worked to improve middle and high school students’ confidence by halting “D” and “F” grades and respecting growth mindset to the extent that anyone who didn’t demonstrate fixed outcomes was provided the opportunity to show learning growth. Such strategies as authentic assessment and mentee-mentor engagement will be shared in detailed form.
Presented by:
Dr. Scott Taylor, Superintendent, Township of Union Public Schools
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"SEL Coaching: Learn Tips and Tools to Enhance the Social Emotional Learning at Your School"
November 10 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Whether you are a teacher mentoring a colleague, a counselor lending support to a team, or an administrator coaching your staff, this workshop will provide you with different types of coaching practices to elevate the quality of social emotional learning happening in your school. Some topics will include how to: select an appropriate SEL goal to focus on; balance directive and facilitative questions that support teacher thinking; use modeling as a way to visualize what's possible; and give constructive feedback on both strong practices and areas of growth.
Presented by:
Erica Brentan, Consultant, School Culture and Climate Initiative
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SAVE THE DATES
December 15 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
January 19 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
February 16 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
March 16 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
April 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
May 18 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
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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.
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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
Administrator Network
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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 and school sustainability 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.
Application Deadline: Friday, October 29, 2021, 11:59 p.m. ET
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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
February 8 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
May 10 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
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Resources, Webinars, and PD |
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Article: "Parents Like Social-Emotional Learning, But Not the Name"
Parents are strongly in favor of schools teaching the skills promoted in social-emotional learning. Things like setting goals, controlling emotions, and being informed citizens. However, if you ask parents what they think of “social-emotional learning,” they may react negatively. Some people in conservative education circles believe that it’s imparting a more liberal set of ideals and that its benefits are oversold. Read more
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Article: "Teaching Children How to Understand and Manage their Emotions is Essential"
By Maurice J. Elias
"As schools began this month, students and staff face many challenges, including divisive issues, stress, and other powerful emotions. What will it be like to be back in school? How will the various safety issues be addressed? How do we get back on track? A number of schools plan on using social-emotional learning to help them navigate these challenges and make the most of the opportunities the new year offers." Read more
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Article: "The Case Against Zeros in Grading"
Teachers can rethink their grading practices to make them more mathematically fair for students and allow for redemption for a missed assignment. Read more
Article: "3 Ways Administrators Can Show They Care About Teachers as People"
It’s easy for school leaders to get caught up in roles and responsibilities—but it’s important to remember that teachers are more than their job titles. Read more
Article: "The Importance of Student Choice Across All Grade Levels"
When students get to make decisions about their learning, it can be powerfully motivating. Read more
Article: "Sensory Strategies That Help Students Refocus on Learning"
Elementary students face a constant stream of distracting sensory stimuli throughout the day, but these simple, quick exercises can help them stay on track. Read more
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"Finishing Class Strong With Optimistic Closures"
The best closing activities use social and emotional practices to reinforce the day’s lessons, so students leave feeling confident—and competent—on their learning journey. Watch video
Article: "How SEL Can Help Make Schools Feel More Inclusive"
By Maurice J. Elias
Integrating social and emotional learning and culturally responsive teaching can help build a school culture that celebrates all students. Read more
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Webinar: "Emotions Matter for All Learners: SEL for Traditionally Underserved Students and Educators"
October 21 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT
Presented by: Dr. Christina Cipriano, Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center and Director of Research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
Learn how we can best support all learners by shaping the needs and strengths of students and educators who are often marginalized by typical educational models. Hear the practical significance of embedding SEL principles that attend to learner variability and diversity in all classrooms. Explore evidence-based practices that can be adopted to optimize SEL implementation and evaluation in all classrooms. Register here
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Rutgers SECD Lab guides school-based efforts on prevention, social-emotional learning, social decision making and social problem solving, violence prevention, and character development.
The SECD Lab has created a compilation of lessons to help teachers be better prepared for Fall 2021. Access the materials.
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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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