SEL IN ACTION
May 2021
Message from District Leadership
We are close to wrapping up the school year, and what a year it has been! I want to encourage everyone to take a moment to celebrate personal and professional “wins” this year- both big and small. There’s no doubt that this year has brought both challenges and new learnings. Taking the time to celebrate the positive does not change the difficult nature of this school year, but it does give us a chance to practice our social and emotional learning skills. Celebrating small “wins” and appreciating ongoing progress is part of what helps us build resilience and recognize the progress we have made. The act of celebrating helps us in both setting and achieving goals, building our gratitude habits, and reflecting on our improvements over time.
We have more to look forward to now as more of our community receives vaccines and COVID cases are declining. When I got my vaccine, I felt such a sense of relief- I didn’t even realize how much it would mean to me. You may have done a happy dance, celebrated with music, or even took a vaccine selfie! You may have started visiting with friends and family members that you weren’t able to visit in-person before or safely returning to activities that you weren’t able to participate in previously. I hope that everyone has one activity (or many) that you are looking forward to, including taking some time to rest and relax after the school year is done.
Finally, we want to celebrate and recognize our teachers during the month of May: you all have worked so hard to navigate uncertainty while still striving to build positive relationships with your students, teammates, and communities. We are deeply grateful for your leadership, determination, and adaptability: our students and our District are stronger and better because of each of you.
Susana Cordova
Dallas ISD Deputy Superintendent
This Month's Focus: Celebration
The act of celebrating helps us in both setting and achieving goals, building our gratitude habits, and reflecting on progress over time. When we celebrate the achievements of others or our team, we also build stronger connections with those around us.
These skills align closely with SEL competencies like self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, and responsible decision-making skills. Visit CASEL's website for a detailed description of SEL and each of the five competencies.
Enriching the Brain: How to Maximize Every Learner's Potential by Eric Jensen (Excerpt)
CASEL Resources for Creating Supportive Environments
As young people continue to experience and hear news of ongoing racism and violence against Black, Brown, Asian American, and Indigenous communities, supportive learning environments that center on SEL and equity can help young people and adults to process, heal, and work together to promote collective well-being.
As educators, family members and caregivers, and community partners, we can support young people in working through big questions, processing their emotions, understanding their viewpoints and their relation to broader sociocultural and historical contexts, and taking collective action. CASEL offers guidance and curated resources to help cultivate a supportive environment by: 1) preparing the space for SEL, 2) opening space for sharing and listening, and 3) expanding the space to promote collective well-being.
To Increase Persistence Write About Success
Optimistic Closing Ideas
Adult Weekly Commitment Calendar
As we focus on the positivity that we want to bring to the world,
neuroplasticity allows us to rewire our brains to become more positive, helpful, and loving. Visit this link to create your own Weekly Commitment Calendar and celebrate your accomplishments. (Conscious Discipline)
NPR's Life Kit
A Daily Ritual That Builds Trust and Community Among Students
Confronting Inequity / A United Front on Equity
Positive Affirmations Trail at Felix G. Botello Personalized Learning Elementary School
Zumwalt Middle School Spotlight
At Zumwalt Middle School, the Counselors take every opportunity to celebrate student's individuality, especially when they come to visiting them in their offices. On the counseling office door, students see the acronym for C-O-U-N-S-E-L-O-R and are asked to look at the door upon entry and explain which service they need. After meeting with the counselor, students are then escorted into the hallway to reflect and celebrate their accomplishments, using the hallway mirror visual.
Finally, as another noteworthy celebration, the Zumwalt family celebrated one of their own staff members, Mrs. Contreras, when she officially became a U.S. citizen on April 19, 2021.
Book Study Success at Cowart Elementary School
The amazing staff at Leila P. Cowart Elementary School completed a book study of Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success by Marc Brackett.
Together, they created a final presentation slide deck to creatively showcase their shared learning experience. What a great way to celebrate collaborative learning while also strengthening their SEL knowledge to work with the emotional needs of their students! Way to go, Cowart Professionals!
Training & Learning Opportunities
SEL In Action: Teacher Discussion Series
Our next session, Reigniting Our Sense of Purpose, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26th from 4:45-5:30PM (and based on the discussion article, The Resilient Educator / The Lowdown on Burnout by Elena Aguilar).
Remember to register here if you'd like to join an upcoming session!
Working with LGBTQ Youth Virtual Professional Development
The first part of the session was offered back in February and March; however, any Dallas ISD staff member is welcome to register for upcoming part two sessions (on April 20th from 4-5PM or May 18th from 4:45-5:45PM). You're welcome to attend the part two session even if you didn't complete part one!
Remember to register in Cornerstone and if you have any questions, please contact Mahoganie Gaston at mgaston@dallasisd.org or 972-925-3516.
SEL Student Leadership Summit (June 9th)
The SEL Department will host a virtual SEL Student Leadership Summit on June 9th, 2021 from 9:00am-12:00pm. Event registration is now closed but we're excited to see our participants virtually in June!
Summit sessions will focus on student empowerment to promote student advocacy on campus in support of SEL, and participants will leave with an understanding of themselves and how to use their voice to positively impact school culture and climate through Social and Emotional Learning strategies.
SEL Self-Paced Training Modules
The SEL Department has created self-paced training modules in Nearpod to support Dallas ISD staff in learning more about SEL practices. Currently available courses include:
- Advisory with Explicit Skills Instruction
- Morning Meeting with Explicit Skills Instruction
- Educator Self-Care (K-12)
- Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Building Positive Classroom System
Links for each Nearpod module are included in our training flyer- happy learning!
Live Free Yoga for Dallas ISD Staff Members
Remember to register in advance!
SEL Dallas Book Club
Click on the following links for additional information and registration.
On the same website, CASEL also shares recordings of past webinars including:
- Learning from student perspectives
- Building partnerships inside and outside the classroom
And many other topics!
Resources for SEL Explicit Skills Instruction
Harmony SEL (Elementary School)
Random Acts of Kindness (Middle School)
Facing History and Ourselves (High School)
Family & Caregiver Resources
Visit our SEL for Parents/Caregivers website for resources and information! www.dallasisd.org/selfamilies
¡Visite nuestro sitio de web Aprendizaje Social y Emocional (ASE) para padres/cuidadores para obtener recursos e información! www.dallasisd.org/asefamilias
Celebrations Are Still Important—Even in a Pandemic
Celebrate Teens' Growth and Protect Them From Undermining Messages
Books That Celebrate Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Kids & Teens
Mindful Mondays for Parents and Caregivers
Click here and let us know when you could use this stress-reducing tool the most! We also have the same feedback survey available in Spanish!
SEL Family Discussion Series
As part of the SEL Dallas partnership, join Dallas ISD’s SEL Department for a series of 1-hour family-focused virtual sessions to learn about social and emotional learning (SEL) and important SEL skills. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join any session or the entire series, and a Spanish translator will be available!
Our next session (Fighting Fair) is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19th, 4:30-5:30 (English)/6:00-&7:00 (Spanish). Remember to register with our English registration form or our Spanish registration form.
Sign Up for Our Upcoming Family Newsletter!
Parents and caregivers can submit their contact information via our sign-up form. We also have a Spanish version of the sign-up form as well!
Please share both language versions widely with any parents who may be interested in signing up for our family-focused newsletter!
SEL Dallas
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING DEPARTMENT
Email: SEL@dallasisd.org
Website: Dallasisd.org/sel
Location: 9400 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-925-8951
Twitter: @DallasisdSEL