SEL-ebrate Leadership
Friday, March 8th
SEL-ebration 2024
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Since 2021, the Roselle Park School District has made a marked effort to prioritize Social Emotional Learning. Over the last few years many elementary and middle school staff have been trained in Responsive Classroom, an evidence based social and emotional approach to teaching. All elementary classes start their day with a Morning Meeting offering an opportunity for social interaction, self-regulation and expectation setting and the Middle School has implemented a monthly Advisory session for social skills buidling. Roselle Park High School continues to serve as a model for other schools through their peer led mental health and social support program staffed by trained junior and senior Crisis Center volunteers. Starting in April all 11th grade students will receive Teen Mental Health First Aid training empowering them to serve as a support for friends and a lifeline to crisis intervention for their peers (more information regarding this program will be distributed to the families of 11th graders later this week).
As World SEL Day coincides with the end of Read Across America Week, the Roselle Park School District will focus on Leadership through Literature to support this year's #WorldSELDay theme of "Today's Students, Tomorrow's Leaders." In the newsletter below you will find age appropriate books and activities to promote leadership skills. We hope that you will join us in reinforcing positive social and emotional skills among our district's students.
In gratitude,
Colleen Bodek
Director of Guidance/Testing
Roselle Park School District
Leadership Activities
Reinforcing Leadership Skills at Home
Books to Encourage Leadership
SEL-ebration Over the Years
2023- Relationship Skills. The district held a week-long program that emphasized relationship skills. A social media campaign, lessons, videos and shared recess were highlights of the week. Students learned about listening, teamwork, problem-solving, integrity and friendship.
2022- Social Awareness. The concept of social awareness was introduced through a variety of fun activities including an Artist Trading Card exchange, a parent education session and a family movie night featuring the movie "Wonder."
ATC or Artist Trading Cards are mini masterpieces (3.5 x 2.5) created to be traded with others. The 4th through 12th grade students were asked to transform the theme of "How to show Empathy" into unique motivational pocket-sized images that were collected and traded among the elementary, middle, and high school art students.
2021-- Kindness and Responsible Decision-Making. District-wide students were exposed to lessons and activities centered around making good choices. Former Superintendent Mr. Garrido conducted a district read aloud of "Be Kind."