Dear RedHawk Families
Each week we will send a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) family activity and a resource for you to use together. As we’ve worked on this in school, we hope you can continue this work at home as a family. This week, our SEL focus is on Social Awareness.
Social Awareness: Perspective-taking; Having empathy for others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ability to understand social and ethical norms for behavior.
Family Activity - Check-In: Create predictability! Have a family meeting, creating the opportunity to be connected. Set a daily check-in time with each other. Share how you are doing. For some families, this might look like a family meeting or direct conversation. For other families, it might feel more natural to connect through activities e.g. walking, cooking, sports, etc...There is no one way.
Guiding Questions: How has all this change felt to your family? What have been the biggest challenges? What's going well? How have family members supported each other during this time? Give kids an opportunity to express their feelings and contribute in creating new family rituals and activities.
Learning Link: 6 Tips in Supporting Your Kids
Student Survey on Remote Learning and SEL:
D303 is partnering with Northern Illinois University to gain insights from students (grade 4 and up) related to remote learning. This jointly created survey will be sent to students on Tuesday, April 21. All aspects of student information will remain confidential. If you would like additional information on the survey, please contact David Chiszar, Executive Director Assessment & Accountability (david.chiszar@d303.org), or Patti Palagi, Director of Instructional Interventions (patti.palagi@d303.org). The survey will capture student insights connected to remote learning, social-emotional well being, and coping strategies/supports accessed during this unique time. NIU has established a partnership with D303 through their federal Project Prevent and Address Bullying grant. We are excited to gain additional insights into students' perceptions of remote learning in order to assist us in directing our academic and social-emotional programming.
SEL LESSONS FROM D303
SEL Lessons: We hope parents/guardians and students engaged in last week's SEL lesson focused on the use of positive self-talk. As we continue to adjust to remote learning and community health expectations, we realize adults and children alike are experiencing a sense of loss. Our efforts to support student growth and development include both academics and social emotional learning (SEL) standards. Both are critical to a child’s success and during times of stress, recognizing feelings and having strategies to deal with those feelings are essential. Each week, parents/guardians and students will be provided SEL information and lessons aligned with the five core competencies. This information will come to you through your principal's weekly newsletter. This weeks competency is:
Self-management: The ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. This includes managing stress, controlling impulses, motivating oneself, and setting and working toward achieving personal and academic goals.
We are asking students to identify and use strategies to manage emotions. Video clips and text is embedded to foster conversation. The challenges and uncertainty facing families and children are impactful on overall mental health and well being. We are hopeful the resources shared will be a support to parents/guardians and children. If you have any questions on the information provided or are seeking additional support for yourself or child, please contact Patti Palagi, Director Instructional Interventions (patti.palagi@d303.org or 331-228-6457).
Wredling Middle School - Home of the RedHawks
#WredlingLearns
