Social Emotional Learning - Secrest Elementary School

Social Emotional Learning at Secrest Elementary School

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children gain and apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to deal effectively with daily tasks and challenges.

Jeffco Public Schools has adopted the five core components of social and emotional learning outlined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).

Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social Awareness
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision Making (CASEL, 2020)

SEL takes place within the context of safe and supportive school, family, and community environments that aid children’s development and provide opportunities and recognition for successfully applying these skills.

Schoolwide SEL Supports

PBIS

Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS) is a process to create a safe, positive, and productive learning environment for all children.

At our school, we use the phrase: "Better Together" to guide our culture and climate. In addition, we have social emotional themes for every month:

August Better Together
September Being Respectful
October Empathy
November Compassion & Gratitude
December Compassion
January Self-Awareness & Emotional Regulation
February Integrity & Making Responsible Decisions
March Peer Relationships
April Solving Problems & Seeking Help
May Citizenship & Leadership

At Secrest, we have clear expectations, teach to those expectations, set goals, and celebrate when we meet those goals. In our daily classroom circles, we talk about what helps us be better together and celebrate students who are making positive contributions to our classroom communities. Student council will also be creating some ways that we will celebrate students who are making contributions to the whole community. Student leadership jobs both in the classrooms and in our school at large help Secrest be "Better Together!"

How can you support your student at home?

A core principle of PBIS that you can use at home is the 5:1 rule. For every corrective statement made, provide five positive statements or praises of your child's behavior.
Use your school's themes and expectations to reinforce student behavior at home
Talk to your student about what these behavior expectations look like at home and in the community

Restorative Practices

Secrest Elementary School will be using Restorative Practices and Proactive Circles throughout the school year.

What is Restorative Practice? Restorative Practice is a term used to describe a relationship-oriented approach (rather than a punishment-oriented one) to resolving issues that arise in school.

The five Rs of Restorative Practice are:

Relationship
Respect
Responsibility
Repair
Reintegration

Proactive Circles

Happen weekly in the classroom for connection and belonging (usually a question with a brief answer where everyone participates)

Responsive Circles

Happen as needed in classrooms to address incidents that may cause harm (bullying, playground conflict, or unsafe behavior) or denote a change in the community (new student or a student’s last day)

Informal Conferences

Used to talk to an individual or small group about an issue (student/teacher conflict, habitual tardies, etc.) using 4 questions (What happened? Who did it affect? What might you have done differently? What is a solution so it doesn’t happen again?) to reflect on effects of the behavior

Preconferences

Fact-finding review of the 4 questions with each individual in conflict before determining whether to put them together in a formal RP Conference

RP Conferences

Conference with two people in conflict or reintegration of a student who has been suspended that results in a signed, mutually agreeable and student-generated solution

How can you support your student at home?

Use the four questions when helping your student to problem solve through a conflict they have at home.

What happened?
Who was impacted/affected?
What part can you take responsibility for?
How will we make things right?

Second Step

Second Step is taught weekly in every classroom. The lessons provide instruction in social and emotional learning with units on skills for learning, empathy, emotion management, friendship skills, and problem-solving. Second Step uses four key strategies to reinforce skill development: brain-builder games, weekly theme activities, reinforcing activities, and home links. These links offer you an overview of the lessons being covered in your child's class as well as tips and practice opportunities for you to use at home.

Home links by grade level: Support learning at home!

Unit 1: Growth Mindset

Unit 2: Emotion Management

Unit 3: Empathy and Kindness

Unit 4: Problem Solving

Second Step Success Stories

Additional Supports

Check-in/Check-out

Some students have an opportunity to check in and out with additional staff members. This helps establish relationships and prepare the student for a successful school day.

Jobs

Being a part of a community involves service and cooperation. To foster the Secrest community, we have many "jobs" that our students can apply for as their service project. Some jobs are for all students and some are special jobs for the fifth graders: Messengers, Recycling Crew, Library Assistants, Front Office assistants, Morning Announcements, and Videographers (Fifth grade only).

Small Groups

Small groups are provided to enhance learning and socialization throughout the day.

Peer Mentoring/Peace Keepers

Our fifth grade students have the option to apply to be peer mentors or peacekeepers for the school. Each student goes through training on how to solve simple problems at school. They are partnered up with staff members to give guidance to other students. This is a great way to help our community members, "Be Respectful" and build community.

Zones of Regulation Program

If students are struggling with self-regulation and impulse control, schools have a social emotional curriculum, Zones of Regulation. It uses simple language, pictures and colors to teach emotional literacy activities.

Resources

Jefferson County Family Resourcessne

Child Care Assistance - 303-271-4484
The Action Center (food & housing) - 303-237-7704
Family Tree (emergency shelter for women & children in crisis) - 303-467-2604
United Way (medical & housing) - 211
Jefferson County Juvenile Assessment Center - 720-497-7799

Arvada Resources:

North Area Therapists

Community Resources

Community Resources Link

Social Emotional Learning in Jeffco

Jeffco Public Schools creates and maintains a positive climate and culture in schools that is inclusive and safe for students, families and staff. With a commitment to empowering successful and productive citizens, the district supports the growth of students through leveled, evidence-based implementation of social emotional learning programming.

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which students and adults gain and apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to deal effectively with daily tasks and challenges.

Jeffco has adopted the five core competencies of SEL outlined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL).

Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social Awareness
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision-Making (CASEL, 2020)

SEL happens in safe and supportive school, family and community environments that support development and provide opportunities and recognition for successfully applying skills.