SEL Connections
Weekly Newsletter
What is SEL?
(https://casel.org/what-is-sel/)
Social and Emotional Learning in Beaumont ISD
The purpose of Social and Emotional Learning in Beaumont ISD is to enable students to develop the following social and emotional skills:
- Self-Awareness and Self-Management
- Social Awareness and Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
Beaumont ISD students will learn and utilize social, emotional, and academic skills to be successful in the classroom, at home, and in the community.
We are excited to work with the students, staff and administration at each campus. Since the beginning of the school year we have experienced a positive culture on several campuses. Principals across the district are working on continuing to build their school community and relationships with their students and families. We look forward to partnering with you and spotlighting your "SEL"ebrations as they occur!
SEL Coordinators:
Kim Bell, Elana Elie, San "Janie Holtz, Laura Richard, Dr. Carlo Walker
Boost SEL's Impact with 10 Brain-Wise Strategies (Article)
What improves achievement by an average 11 percent, increases appropriate social behavior, improves students’ attitudes, and reduces stress? Social Emotional Learning does this and more!
Research on the brain and learning is revealing how we can help students trigger their Social Emotional Learning competencies: self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
And yet. Many times during my work in schools I’ll ask teachers if they teach SEL. I often get one of two answers: (1) “I don’t have time and my students are too old for that stuff.” or (2) “Oh, yes, a person comes in once a week for 30 minutes and teaches them about SEL.”
Both answers concern me. Students are never too old for this stuff. And SEL can be part of your everyday activities. You don’t have to take “special time” for it – you can easily incorporate it into your daily plan.
And you don’t need a canned program. In fact, you are probably teaching some SEL through the good practices you already incorporate in your classroom.
Here are 10 integration strategies with descriptions: why they are useful, how to implement them, some of their brain connections, and the SEL competencies each one addresses.
Strategy One: Greeting students at the door
Why: Gives students a sense of belonging: builds relationships. Students feel recognized and listened to.
How: A full school greeting is very effective on the first day of school and then intermittently thereafter. This is when all adults in the building greet the students as they enter the building. This includes everyone from the custodians to the principal and everyone in-between. Let students know that you are all in this together, and everyone is approachable and cares about them and their learning.
A personal greeting at the door of your classroom has shown to be very effective for making connections with students, increasing engagement and reducing unwanted behaviors. Simply stand by your door and greet (welcome) your students to your class. Say something positive which can range from a compliment to a concern. (“I’m so happy you are here today; I hope you are feeling better!” “I enjoyed reading your essay!”)
Brain Effects: Releases serotonin; soothes the amygdala.
SEL Competency: Relationship skills.
Strategy Two: Checking in
Why:
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SEL Coordinators
- Kim Bell -
- Elana Elie -
- San "Janie" Holtz -
- Laura Richard -
- Dr. Carlo Walker -
Email: sel_primary@bmtisd.com
Website: https://www.bmtisd.com/Page/6026
Location: 4315 Concord Road, Beaumont, TX, USA
Phone: (409)617-5200