Supporting, Connecting, and Empowering Schools

School Support Network Newsletter

SSN Monthly Meeting Updates Photo from Sussex County SSN Meeting in November Sussex County SSN Meeting on November 5, 2019 Paul DePinto provided concrete tips and tools that school counselors and teachers can share with their students that will help build coping skills among students and reduce anxiety relating to school pressures. He educated participants in cognitive behavioral therapy and how tools from this theory can be effective in reducing anxiety. Paul emphasized the importance of having a rapport with students in order for them to find success with this topic. Agenda , DePinto's PowerPoint and Overview PowerPoint Photo from Morris County SSN Meeting in November Morris County SSN Meeting on November 13, 2019 We had a great meeting in Morris County on November 13. Maurice J. Elias, Ph.D., renowned author and expert on SECD and school climate, shared an informative and inspiring presentation on Leading a School of Social-Emotional Competence and Character . Dr. Elias prefaced his comments with “The future of SEL/SECD depends more than ever on the quality of leadership within schools and school districts, both generally and as focused on SEL/SECD.” He presented a comprehensive review of the specialized skill set needed for effective leadership, offered self-reflection prompts to examine what we each inspire to be as leaders in SEL/SECD and how we are demonstrating those qualities in our interactions with the adults and students in our school communities. Attendees then spent the remaining time sharing with others at their table examples of effective leadership and leadership teams from their own experiences and what take-away messages they were leaving with. And to sum up the whole morning, one attendee shared ”I wish my new principal and new superintendent heard this!” Agenda , Dr. Elias's PowerPoint and Overview PowerPoint RESOURCES AND LINKS The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) - CASEL is transforming American education through social and emotional learning. CASEL defined SEL more than two decades ago. Today, we collaborate with leading experts and support districts, schools, and states nationwide to drive research, guide practice, and inform policy. Edutopia - Edutopia is a trusted source shining a spotlight on what works in education. They show people how they can adopt or adapt best practices, and tell stories of innovation and continuous learning in the real world. U.S. Department of Education ESSA Guidance - Over the last several years, the U.S. Department of Education has been encouraging the coordinated use of federal funds by school districts. Such guidance encourages school districts to explore student needs and then consider how different funding sources could be used alone or in a coordinated way to address those needs. For title-specific guidance, visit their website . SEL4NJ  - SEL4NJ is a grassroots movement that brings together institutions, organizations and community members to form one strong voice advocating for SEL. Please join us! SELinSchools.org - The Academy for SEL in Schools, a partnership between Rutgers University and the College of Saint Elizabeth, offers certificate programs for educators and educational leaders in social-emotional and character development. Aspen Institute’s National Commission on Social Emotional and Academic Development : From a Nation at Risk to a Nation at Hope - Drawing on input from more than 200 scientists, youth and parent groups, educators, and policymakers, the final report seeks to accelerate and strengthen efforts to support the whole learner in local communities through recommendations for researchers, educators, and policymakers.

SPOTLIGHT SCHOOL If you are interested in having your school featured as a “Spotlight School” to share best practices at a future SSN Meeting, please email Liz Warner . CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO REGISTER NOW Bergen County Bergen County Community College Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. February 6, 2020 Leading a School of Social-Emotional Competence and Character: Everyone's Job 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 Click here for details and registration Morris County College of Saint Elizabeth Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. December 11, 2019 The Importance of Adult Social-Emotional Skills: The Foundation for a Thriving School Community Presented By: Patricia Heindel, Ph.D. Dean, Professional Studies; Director, Center for Human and Social Development & the Center's School Culture and Climate Assessment Lab; Co-Founder and Co-Director, School Culture and Climate Initiative; Co-Director, Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools Click here for details and registration Somerset County  Hillsborough Library Time: 9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. December 4, 2019 The Importance of Adult Social-Emotional Skills: The Foundation for a Thriving School Community Presented By: Patricia Heindel, Ph.D. Dean, Professional Studies; Director, Center for Human and Social Development & the Center's School Culture and Climate Assessment Lab; Co-Founder and Co-Director, School Culture and Climate Initiative; Co-Director, Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools Click here for details and registration Sussex County Sussex County Technical Time: 8:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. January 7, 2020 Secure Attachment and the Impact of Trauma in Schools: Challenges, Solutions and How We Get There Presented By: Teresa LaSala Positive Discipline Author and Trainer, School Culture and Climate Specialist Click here for details and registration  Warren County Warren Hills Regional School District Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. December 3, 2019 The Importance of Adult Social-Emotional Skills: The Foundation for a Thriving School Community Presented By: Patricia Heindel, Ph.D. Dean, Professional Studies; Director, Center for Human and Social Development & the Center's School Culture and Climate Assessment Lab; Co-Founder and Co-Director, School Culture and Climate Initiative; Co-Director, Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools Click here for details and registration

SPOTLIGHT SCHOOL

Photo of Newton High School's new Green Room. Newton High School With a “tremendous increase” in the number of students struggling with their mental well-being in recent years Newton High School was able to create a “wellness room” for the students. This room serves as a place where students can access counselors and therapy groups to help them deal with a variety of emotional problems. With several couches and bean bag chairs spread throughout the room, it can also be used as a place to simply decompress from the stresses of school life or as a more convenient setting for a classroom lesson. Newton High School was able to have their vision come to life through a grant from ThorLabs located in Newton, NJ.

If you are interested in having your school featured as a “Spotlight School” to share best practices at a future SSN Meeting, please email Liz Warner .

STATE UPDATES

New Jersey Department of Education SEL – The NJ DoE has recently published the first SEL module for educators. Be sure to read the extensive notes section at the bottom of every slide. This is a wonderful resource for all educators in the state. Following is an excerpt from the website: Module 1: Competencies for School, Work, and Life: Introduction to Social and Emotional Learning Module Facilitation Guide Professional Learning Tip Sheet Associated Handouts (zip file) Modules 2-6: Coming Soon! Check out their website for other free resources, articles and lesson plans.

FUNDING/GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Sustainability Jersey for Schools – S ustainable Jersey for Schools has funding available for school climate work made possible through the support of the PSEG foundation.   Click here for more information. This grant cycle of the 2020 Schools Grants Program will award: Four (4) $10,000 project grants to school districts or schools Thirty (30) $2,000 grants to support school green teams Online Application Deadline:  March 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

Now is the time to start planning for next year... Be sure to set aside Title 1 funds and professional development funds to support your SEL and school climate work next year!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Bergen County Location for all meetings: Bergen County Community College , Room C-313 Time for all meetings: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Save the Dates February 6, 2020 Register Now April 23, 2020 Essex County Coming in 2020!

Morris County Location for all meetings: College of Saint Elizabeth , Annunciation Center, Flex Rooms Time for all meetings: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Save the Dates December 11, 2019 Register Now January 15, 2020 February 12, 2020 March 18, 2020 April 22, 2020 May 20, 2020 Somerset County Location for all meetings: Hillsborough Library , Program Room AB Time for all meetings: 9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Save the Dates December 4, 2019 Register Now February 5, 2020 April 1, 2020

Sussex County Location for all meetings: Sussex County Technical School , McNeice Auditorium - Atrium Time for all meetings: 8:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Save the Dates January 7, 2020 Register Now March 3, 2020 May 5, 2020 Warren County Location for all meetings: Warren Hills Regional School District Time for all meetings: 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Save the Dates  December 3, 2019 Register Now February 4, 2020 April 7, 2020

The School Culture and Climate Initiative is based at the Center for Human and Social Development at the College of Saint Elizabeth

For questions about SSN meetings, contact Liz Warner [email protected]

For questions about or difficulty with registration, contact Leighann Garland [email protected]