Spring has sprung and as preparations are underway for the end of the school year (and what a year it has been!), many of you find yourselves in the thick of planning for the return to school next fall which will hopefully be a time of renewal and fresh starts.
In this newsletter, you will find more information about how the School Culture and Climate Initiative can support your efforts to harness what has been learned over the last two plus years and build a foundation that creates schools of kindness, compassion, and support. Remember to take deep breaths and enjoy the sounds and smells of spring - Mother nature is very good for the soul!
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Offerings
- Data Collection and Analysis
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Integrated Approach to School Climate Improvement, SEL, and Equity
- Professional Development in School Climate, SEL, Trauma-informed approaches and related areas
- Professional Learning Networks
- School Climate Improvement
- SEL Coaching
- Staff Well-Being
Data Collection and Analysis
School Climate Assessment Lab
A data-driven approach ensures that decisions are grounded in facts, that resources are used widely and that progress can be identified, measured and celebrated.
- Assessment Interpretation and Support – including post-survey support for the new NJ DoE Climate Survey
- Custom Evaluation Services
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Specific Assessment tools available and supported by the Lab: School Culture and Climate Assessment Survey; Equity and Inclusion Survey (middle school and high school); Panorama Social-Emotional Learning Survey; Panorama Well-Being Survey; School Health Assessment Survey; Spectrum Diversity School Climate and Bullying Prevention Survey
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Phased foundational approach to building understanding and capacity within a school and district.
- Approach includes data collection on perceptions of equity and inclusion, staff professional development, an equity audit, creating a customized plan for on-going work and personalized support throughout the process.
Professional Development
- All of our PD topics support our commitment to improving a school’s culture and climate and integrating social-emotional and character development in the classroom and school-wide all designed specifically for your school/district.
- Topic areas include among others SEL, school climate, trauma-informed approach, staff mental health/wellness, cultural competencies including DEI topics.
- View our list of PD offerings.
Professional Learning Networks
School Support Network
Changing school climate is no easy task, but it can be done with the right resources and when we surround ourselves with other professionals who are committed to achieving the same vision and goals.
- Monthly School Support Network Meetings
- Offered virtually
- Topic focused – Professional Development on relevant topics offered at each meeting
Coffee Chats and Job-Alike Coffee Chats
- Monthly opportunities for educators to come together, share successes and challenges
- Offered virtually
- Wonderful opportunity for connection and problem solving
School Climate Professional Learning Community (SCAIP PLC)
- For schools who are beginning, in the midst of, or who have completed a three- year intentional approach to school climate improvement
- A chance to share successes, challenges, and connect with colleagues across a variety of schools who are on a similar path
School Climate Improvement
School Climate Assessment and Improvement Process
- When schools join the School Climate Assessment and Improvement Process (SCAIP), they embark on a three-year, individualized, data driven process with the guidance and support of experts in the field of school climate and social-emotional learning.
- It is a fully supported comprehensive process which includes data collection and analysis, in-depth data review, consultant support over three years, assistance in team formation, support in the development and implementation of school improvement action plans, and participation in PLC’s with other participating schools.
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 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. This integrated approach is coordinated by the SCCI consultant and includes:
- Three-year school climate assessment and improvement process (see below)
- Phased foundational approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- SEL Teacher Coaching
SEL Coaching
- We provide one-on-one or small group coaching for educators who are interested in honing their own skills in incorporating social-emotional learning and creating a positive climate in their classroom.
- Educators and our coaches form strong coaching partnerships and collaboratively identify personal development goals.
- Coaches provide modeling, observation and feedback, and spend quality time with educators, across a number of months and ideally a full academic year.
Staff Well-Being
- Looking Forward: Supporting Staff Well-Being and Healing, Post-Pandemic
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(5-Week Course) for principals and vice principals
- Looking Forward: Supporting Staff Well-Being and Healing, Post-Pandemic
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(5-Week Course) for teachers and school counselors
- Looking Forward: A Monthly PLC Series that Will Cultivate the Well-Being and Emotional Resilience of Your Staff and Students
The School Culture and Climate Initiative is here to support you! Contact us for more information on any of our services!
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School Support Network (SSN) meetings are free and everyone is welcome to attend. Share with your colleagues! |
"Getting Ready for 2022-2023: Countering Spirit Loss to Achieve Learning Gain and Student and Staff Mental Health"
April 27 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Presented by: Maurice Elias, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Rutgers University
The 2022-23 school year will continue to be filled with emotional turmoil for students and staff. Under those conditions, attempting to maximize instructional time to help students “catch up” will not only fail to lead to lasting academic gains, it will increase mental health difficulties. We first must heal the loss of spirit, optimism, and enthusiasm that has pervaded our schools, and hearts, since Covid.
SEL/SECD points us in the right direction. Learn some of the “road signs” to help us get started with countering Spirit Loss during the rest of this school year, and prepare for the year ahead.
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“Connecting the Dots: Collaborating to Manage Anxiety (Mental Health) in School Communities”
In-person Meeting
May 4 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Sage Alliance, 900 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, NJ
Discuss strategies to address the increased anxiety occurring in our schools. We will focus on the importance of collaboration among school staff to meet the needs of students as well as support each other. We will conclude with a facilitated art therapy directive related to the information presented in order to “connect the dots”. This practice experiential will help participants to process information and see the impact of art-making. When we make art, we are practicing skills to reduce cortisol levels, relieve anxiety, and increase insight, while building self-confidence.
Presented by: Leah Sackmary-Dodd, M.A., LDTC; Corie Stone, M.Ed., Director of Curriculum and Instruction; and Kelly Amaniera ATR-BC, LPC, NCC of Sage Alliance
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Coffee chats are virtual gatherings that allow schools to connect with one another. Coffee chats are held from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and are open for all to attend.
Monday, May 2
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These are 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.
Administrator Network
TUESDAY, April 26
*Rescheduled from April 20th*
School Counselor Network
May 11
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"Spring Renewal: Unearth your current state of being and plant seeds for a healthy end of the 2021-22 school year"
Presented by: Erica Brentan, Consultant, School Culture and Climate Initiative
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Celebrating #SELDay Successes |
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Congratulations to everyone who participated in International SEL Day 2022!
On Friday, March 11th, thousands of educators, students, community organizers, and individuals celebrated the third annual International SEL Day by showcasing, promoting, advocating, and supporting SEL around the globe. Your efforts helped #SELday reach several important milestones:
- Both Governor Murphy and the State Board of Education issued Proclamations
- NJ again was in the top ten globally in terms of impressions (and higher than any other state in the country!)
- #SELday trended on Twitter for more than 5 hours
- Over 7 million views from over 6,000 mentions of #SELday
- Over 33,000 #SELday likes across social media
- A letter recognizing #SELday from the president and first lady
- Over #SELday 2,800 participants representing 63 countries and all 50 U.S. states and DC
- More than 2,300 schools, districts, and organizations represented
- Participants committed to over 8,000 actions to showcase, promote, advocate, and support #SELday
- Six #SELday state proclamations - California, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhone Island, and Vermont
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SEL and School Climate Grant Opportunities |
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Check out the suggestions below to find social emotional learning grants in 2022. |
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NEA Foundation Student Success Grants: Two levels of funding are available: $1,500 and $5,000. Grants fund activities for 12 months from the date of the award. Applicants must be members of the National Education Association.
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Project AWARE State Education Agency Grants (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education): The purpose of Project AWARE is to develop a sustainable infrastructure for school-based mental health programs and services. It is expected that the recipient will build a collaborative partnership that includes the State Education Agency (SEA), the Local Education Agency (LEA), the State Mental Health Agency (SMHA), community-based providers of behavioral health care services, school personnel, community organizations, families, and school-aged youth. Based on a public health model, this partnership will implement mental health related promotion, awareness, prevention, intervention and resilience activities to ensure that students have access and are connected to appropriate and effective behavioral health services. SAMHSA expects that this program will promote the healthy social and emotional development of school-aged youth and prevent youth violence in school settings. Applications are due Monday, May 2, 2022.
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Resources, Webinars, and PD |
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Edutopia Video: "How to Make Your Classroom a Healing Place"
The stress of the pandemic has impacted students and teachers alike, but taking a healing-centered approach in your classroom can help. View now
Article: "5 Ways Administrators Can Support Teachers"
Encouraging teachers to focus on their strengths—while taking a few things off their plates and carving out time for catch-up work—can help them weather a difficult year. Read more
Article: "4 Steps to Discussing Challenging Behavior With a Student"
Addressing students’ behavior can be tough, but it’s possible to approach them in ways that show compassion and help them feel ready to discuss the issue. Read more
Article: "How To Lead With Empathy"
Six ways to build a school culture that prioritizes understanding the experiences and perspectives of others. Read more
Article: "Real Actions School Leaders Can Take to Support Teachers"
A district superintendent shares several takeaways from talks with teachers about what they want to see from administration. Read more
Article: "Using Social and Emotional Data to Promote a Positive School Culture"
School leaders can combine traditional data with social and emotional data to get a full picture of the school experience of students and staff. Read more
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Panorama Ed helps schools and districts support student and adult SEL with research-backed surveys, actionable data reports and more. Check out their latest tips and toolkits:
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Hogg Foundation for Mental Health Podcast: "Protecting Kids' Mental Health in a Time of Polarization"
In this episode of Into the Fold, explore how today’s toxic political climate may be impacting mental health programs in schools, as described in a recent NBC news article entitled, “Parents protesting ‘critical race theory’ identify a new target: Mental health programs”. Donna Black, president of the Social Emotional Learning Alliance for Texas (SEL4TX) discusses SEL, its application in schools, its positive impact on kids’ mental health, and its current mischaracterization in this time of political polarization. Listen now
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2022 National Social and Emotional Learning Conference (Virtual) May 17-18
Explore leveraging the latest social and emotional learning research and practice. Build awareness and take action, creating a positive school climate that supports student success. Join mindfulness workshops, peer networking and hear from two amazing keynote speakers. Register here
Liz Warner and Trish Heindel will be presenting a workshop titled "Integrated and Systemic SEL: How to Ensure Success, Impact and Sustainability" on May 17th from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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NJ Mental Health Resource Guide
"This comprehensive Guide is designed to support school districts to develop, implement, and evaluate mental health supports and services using a multi-tiered system of supports. While the Guide is lengthy, we tried to incorporate some features to assist the user identify what would be most helpful to their work (i.e., detailed table of contents, icons, consistent layout of chapters, etc.). In addition to containing a lot of content, each chapter also contains a summary, examples of implementation in NJ schools, hyperlinked resources, templates, and reflection questions."
Congratulations and thank you to the many involved throughout the state in creating such a valuable, helpful resource!
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School Culture and Climate Initiative
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