Mindful Pathways
College and Career Readiness & Social Emotional Learning
The Wayne Westland College and Career Readiness and Social Emotional Learning Department
The College and Career Readiness (CCR) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Department has started the 2023-24 school year with great enthusiasm to serve, support, and create exciting programs for Wayne Westland students and their families. Our goal is to provide a wide range of initiatives to meet both the academic and non-academic needs of our scholars and to support their development toward becoming successful adults and productive citizens. Our department is dedicated to offering resources and valuable information about College and Career Awareness and Social Emotional Learning. With a focus on CCR, our aim is to help students develop clear plans for their lives and guide them to achieve their goals as follows:
Career Awareness: Grades K-6
Career Exploration: Grades 7-8
Career Preparation: Grades 9-12
Our SEL Department prioritizes five pillars: Self-Management, Self Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making. SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic, school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.
We look forward to working with you and your children to assist them. It is a great day to be in Wayne-Westland.
Sincerely,
Daryl Beebe
Executive Director, CCR and SEL
September is Suicide Prevention Month
During the month of September, our SEL Department and support staff across the district participate in Suicide Prevention Week. Although mental health and suicide prevention are important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.
Did you know that last year, nearly a quarter (22%) of high school students seriously considered suicide? Among those who identify as LGBTQ, almost one in two (45%) seriously considered ending their life. According to the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the CDC, the number of Gen Z-ers reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness has been on a decade-long climb. It now sits at 42%, with a solid majority of young females expressing such concerns.
It is our desire to address concerning behaviors and warning signs by creating awareness and addressing the stigma associated with mental health. Our buildings are filled with professionals who care and who can provide support. Over 1200 WWCSD staff members have been trained in Question Persuade Response (QPR) suicide prevention training. They have knowledge of how to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone who may be suicidal.
The month of September will be filled with a wide variety of activities to address suicide awareness and combat the stigma around mental health. On September 26, 2023, CEO and Founder Kevin Fisher from Stigma vs. Everybody will present on the Stigma around mental health. Please come out and hear Mr. Fisher's powerful story. The entire district will participate in a Wayne-Westland vs. Stigma Spirit Week. Mr. Fisher will also present to students at comprehensive high schools on the stigma surrounding mental health. In Kevin’s words, “The most effective way to ELIMINATE the STIGMA begins with the public display of support and engaging in conversation about the reality of mental illness. We want you to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”
The Power of a Smile
Character Strong explains the Mirror Neurons theory and demonstrates a straightforward approach to supporting our students.
Social Emotional Learning
Amanda Faughnan- Supervisor of Social Emotional Learning and Family Resource Center
Wayne-Westland Community Schools has a Family Resource Center (FRC), which provides services to any student/family enrolled in our District, free of cost. Some of the services they provide are: basic need assistance, access to over 700 local resources, Laundry Assistance Program and material items for those unable to afford them (emergency toiletries, socks/underwear, hats/gloves/scarves, etc.) They are also able to supply school supplies and backpacks year round for any WWCS student. Please contact our Family Resource Center at: 734-419-2709 or FRC@wwcsd.net. Our FRC also has a Digital Request for Services Form, which can be used to request assistance by filling out a simple form. Please contact the Family Resource Center directly with any additional questions regarding their services.
Video Corner
“What’s the difference between sympathy and empathy?” We turn to Dr. Brené Brown for one of the best explanations of empathy vs sympathy, and why empathy is so important.
“Empathy fuels connection. Sympathy drives disconnection.”
– Dr. Brené Brown
Family Resource Center
FRC Locations:
John Glenn High SchoolAdams Middle School
Franklin Middle School
JGHS Clinic Ribbon Cutting
Back To School Event
We launched Work Based Learning!
The CCR Department is celebrating the completion of our first Work-Based Learning (WBL) cohort. This summer the WBL Program placed ten interns throughout the district. Students completed 40 hours of paid training focusing on developing soft skills, work-place communication, financial literacy and budgeting, accessing community resources, resume writing, cover and thank you letters, time management and job retention. Along with 80 hours as an intern. Students worked in the following departments throughout the district: Communications, Food Services, Operations, Athletics, the Print Shop, Finance, and the Stem Center. All 10 of the students successfully completed the program earning their vouchers for drivers education.
JuaQuita Grady- Work Based Learning Coordinator
College Festifall
Touch A Job
Career Exploration Festival designed to introduce young people and their parents to great in-demand careers. Students will have hands-on experiences, opportunities to meet professionals and educators from these fields.
Scholarships
Distinguished Young Women
Contact us at 734-419-2084