The days are getting longer and the first hints of spring are beginning to appear. It is a perfect time to take a few minutes to reflect on the year so far and celebrate all you have done! We are always in awe of you and everything you continually accomplish.

Thank you for making SEL Day 2024 a huge success...be sure to check out the section below noting our many accomplishments this year!

We always enjoy our time with many of you at our coffee chats and School Support Network meetings and hope to you continue to find them valuable! Please share the details with colleagues who might be interested in attending - specifically our new ESL educators coffee chat! Details of upcoming dates can be found in the teal column in this newsletter. We look forward to seeing you soon!

It is also the time to start planning for next year! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us for a conversation on the various resources and supports the School Culture and Climate Initiative can offer - including how we can help with your NJ SCI survey results (see below).

More Than Just a Survey...What Do You Do With Your Data?

You've gotten your survey results...now what? Let the School Culture and Climate Initiative (SCCI) help you interpret your results and decide the best next steps for your school/district!

SCCI is committed to using data from multiple sources to guide all school climate improvement efforts. A data-driven approach ensures that decisions are grounded in evidence, that resources are used wisely, and that progress can be measured, identified, and celebrated.

We offer access to a variety of reliable and useful tools, data analysis and reporting, and assistance with interpreting the data to determine helpful next steps. Custom evaluation services to meet the individualized needs of schools or organizations are also available.

Assessment Interpretation and Support – including post-survey support for the new NJ SCI Survey
Custom Evaluation Services
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

Why Choose Us?

We have extensive knowledge in social-emotional learning and school climate, as well as expertise in evaluation design, implementation, and analysis.
Our 10-year track record along with numerous awards and recognitions make us the provider that so many schools trust.
We not only design evaluation options but also manage the entire process including administration and action planning post-assessment.

The School Culture and Climate Initiative is here to support you! Contact us for more information on any of our services!

Resources from February and March SSN Meetings

“Using SEL to See and Connect Beyond Disruptive Behaviors”

Presented by: Patrick Fennell, Consultant, School Culture and Climate Initiative

View the recording and resources that were shared.

"All Students Need to Matter: How to Foster Their Mattering and Positive Purpose"

Presented by: Maurice J. Elias, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Rutgers University; Director, Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab; Co-Director, Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools

View the recording and resources that were shared.

Upcoming SSN Meetings

School Support Network (SSN) meetings are free and everyone is welcome to attend. Share with your colleagues!

April 17

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

"Tips, Tools and Techniques for Promoting Positive Behavior and Building SEL"

Connection and respect are at the core of effective discipline. How we respond to challenging behavior matters. When educators view student misbehavior as an opportunity to build relationship and teach social and emotional skills, they are empowering themselves and their students. Building a toolbox of discipline strategies that are trauma informed, restorative and build SEL takes intention and commitment, but the impact on student development and school community are powerful!

This interactive session will explore the meaning of discipline and what we intend to teach when responding to challenges in the classroom and school; identify the mistaken beliefs behind student misbehavior; provide tips, tools and techniques for promoting positive behavior while building connection and SEL.

Presented by: Kathleen McClay, Consultant, School Culture and Climate Initiative; Trainer, Positive Discipline Association

Job-Alike Coffee Chats

These coffee chats 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 - 10:30 a.m. ET.

School Counselor Coffee Chat

April 10 - Register Now

Administrator Coffee Chat

April 24 - Register Now

ESL Educators Coffee Chat

May 1 - Register Now

Celebrating #SELday Success!

Uplifting Hearts, Connecting Minds

On Friday, March 8th, thousands of educators, students, community organizers, and individuals celebrated the fourth annual International SEL Day—Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders—by showcasing, promoting, advocating, and supporting SEL around the globe. YOUR efforts helped #SELday as success! Nearly 400 schools in NJ participated in SEL Day and shared the inspirational work that is being done around the state not only on SEL Day but every day!

SEL4NJ SEL Day Summit 2024

View session PowerPoints and recordings here.

Don't miss the student voice session with the School Culture and Climate Initiative's Patrick Fennell "Engaging and Empowering the Voices of ALL Students". Societal norms have evolved since the Victorian era adage “children should be seen and not heard”. However, there are students with diverse identities, varied interests and differing backgrounds, abilities and perspectives who feel their voices are not heard or valued in their school community to this very day. This interactive workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect upon their daily practice of engaging and empowering the voices of all students within their own school community and share best practices to empower students, enhance student voice and develop meaningful relationships. Students will also share their thoughts about the impact and outcomes of being included and involved in the decision-making process and the shaping of their school culture and climate. View this session here.

Presented by: Students from Sparta Middle School; Patrick Fennell and Bill Trusheim from SEL4NJ

SEL4NJ Showcase Series Webinars

View session recordings here.

Don't miss the session with the School Culture and Climate Initiative's Erica Brentan "School Wide Behavioral Expectations: Clear, Consistent, and Impactful". Even the most well-intentioned schools can have too many behavioral goals for students. With Character Education programs, district goals, SEL competencies, classroom, and school rules all in place, these efforts can sometimes work against each other, as opposed to their intended effect of improving students' behavior and social emotional skills. In this workshop, we will examine the behavioral expectations in your school, explore a method of 'unjumbling' them, and learn how a streamlined approach can have greater positive impact. View this session here.

Presented by: Erica Brentan, Consultant, School Culture and Climate Initiative

New Jersey Board of Education Proclamation

New Jersey Governor's Proclamation

Letter from President Biden

Professional Development, Webinars, and Resources

Webinar "Igniting Lifelong Learning: SEL & Academic Integration"

April 16 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET

We recommend registering for the entire three-part series. You don’t need to be available to attend every webinar live. By registering, you will receive the recordings and follow-up resources straight to your inbox.

Academic recovery is a top priority and will require a deep understanding of how students learn and progress. Research tells us that students’ social, emotional, and cognitive development are deeply intertwined and key to academic learning and success. So how can we effectively integrate social and emotional learning (SEL) with academic content to best support learning and thriving?

This three-part webinar series will explore the research, practices, and policy conditions that promote SEL and academic integration. Through 60-minute thought leadership conversations, we aim to share expertise that can strengthen your work, encourage new approaches, and leave you curious to learn more.

Join us and collaborators once a month as we build a shared understanding of SEL and academic integration (part I), explore classroom and school strategies (part II), and spotlight supportive policies (part III).

Recommended for: Education and research/policy leaders at the state, district, and school levels.

April 16: Introduction to SEL and academic integration (Part 1 of 3)

May 23: School and classroom strategies that integrate SEL and academic learning (Part 2 of 3)

June 20: Beyond the classroom strategies (Part 3 of 3)

What Teachers Can Learn From Students

By Larry Ferlazzo

In this series, students share what they think all teachers can learn from what the students consider to be their best classroom experiences. Read more

Congratulations to John Schembari, School Culture and Climate Initiative Consultant, for having an article published in Edutopia!

How Instructional Coaches Can Help Teachers Foster Students’ SEL Skills

By John Schembari

Leveraging the teacher-coach relationship can build support systems that make SEL instruction more effective. Read more

Using a School Walk-Through to Assess SEL and Character Development

By Dr. Maurice Elias

Touring the halls and other spaces can reveal a lot about your school’s climate and culture. Read more

Evaluating Your Emotional Intelligence and SEL Leadership Skills

By Maurice J. Elias

The most effective leaders have high levels of emotional intelligence and character traits related to social and emotional learning. Read more

Using Class Goals to Support Classroom Management

Consistently revisiting classroom goals and expectations throughout the year establishes a climate for success. Read more

Simple Supports to Decrease Fight-or-Flight Behavior

When young students are feeling overwhelmed, these strategies can help them find their calm again. Read more

"How to help children cope with ‘climate anxiety’ in a warming world"

by Shai Fuxman and Chelsey Goddard

We need a climate education framework that provides facts about the problem, describes how we can mitigate it and adapt to it and fosters resilience among young people. Read more

The Academy for SEL in Schools, a partnership between Rutgers University and Saint Elizabeth University, offers certificate programs for educators and educational leaders in social-emotional and character development.

SEL4NJ is a state-wide coalition that promotes high-quality SEL throughout the state. Sign up now to join this effort and to stay informed about national and state SEL news!

The School Culture and Climate Initiative (SCCI) is based at the Center for Human and Social Development at Saint Elizabeth University.

School Culture and Climate Initiative

www.SchoolCultureandClimate.org I [email protected]