September
Cooperation & Collaboration
Cooperation & Collaboration
But aren't cooperation and collaboration the same thing? Actually...
Collaboration is a coordinated, synchronous activity that is the result of a continued attempt to construct and maintain a shared conception of a problem.
Cooperation is accomplished by the division of labor among participants as an activity where each person is responsible for solving a portion of the problem.
"You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things."
-Mother Theresa
Thank you to all of the staff that participated in the Sanford Harmony Professional Development on August 2nd. We had representatives from all of our elementary and K8 sites and we enjoyed getting to Meet Up and Buddy Up with all of you! We are excited to see this curriculum in action with our students throughout the district.
School-Wide Cooperation & Collaboration Activity Ideas
Elementary Cooperation & Collaboration Classroom Resources
Secondary Cooperation & Collaboration Classroom Resources
Important Dates This Month
September 8th: International Literacy Day
September 9th: Grandparent's Day
September 24th: CASA Family Day
September 26th: Dads Take Your Child to School Day
September 28th: Cooperation & Collaboration Day WEAR RAINBOW
Parent Connection
Social and emotional learning (SEL) involves acquiring and effectively applying the knowledge, attitudes and skills to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Fortunately, we don’t have to make the choice between teaching social and emotional skills and academic performance. In fact, one relies upon the other, just as the head needs the heart. Essential life skills serve as a foundation for academic achievement whether we define it as grade point averages, results from high stakes tests or other measures of performance. In St. Lucie Public Schools we are on our way to not only making that connection but also implementing evidenced-based curricula that teach social and emotional learning alongside academic content.
But what about grade point averages and classroom performance? Numerous studies confirm that the foundation of relational trust between and a student and a teacher and among peers allows for deep learning to occur. Learning requires risk, often giant leaps of faith on the part of a student confronting failure over and again before mastery becomes possible. The student must trust that though they may temporarily feel blinded by new concepts, the classroom is a safe place to take those risks and the teacher is leading them on a path to clarity and understanding.
The close attachment that we know is fundamental to parent-child relationships also forms in teacher-student relationships. These connections occur throughout childhood and adolescence, not solely during the early childhood years though it may appear more pronounced as children express their attachment through hugs and adoration in those early years. Because that safety, trust and caring is a fundamental precursor to learning, trusting connections with all caregivers – parents and teachers is also a necessary ingredient for student success.
Begin at home by focusing on developing an ongoing trusting connection with your children. One of the best ways to do that is to turn off devices for some time each day and give your undivided attention. Let them share with you whatever comes to mind about their school day, be a support for homework or simply hang out together. Use a timer to help with your own self-discipline. Creating a safe, open space for children each day allows for a time that they can raise any issues – big or small – with you when needed. They can be assured you will be there to listen and care.
Excerpt from Jennifer Miller’s article "The Power of Parenting with Social & Emotional Learning"
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
Follow us for more information on UNITY DAY, MIX IT UP AT LUNCH DAY, & Stomp Out Bullying
Newsletter will be published on September 17th
Department of Social & Emotional Learning
Email: sel@stlucieschools.org
Website: www.stlucieschools.org
Phone: 7724685804
Facebook: facebook.com/stluciesel