SEL IN ACTION
April 2021
Message from our SEL Project Manager
Our SEL team shared resources for calming strategies in our March newsletter but we’d like to take the time to specifically highlight mindfulness this month as an important strategy for focus, calm, and self-awareness.
Our brains are constantly working to protect us and can signal a “fight, flight, or freeze” reaction to stressful or scary circumstances, especially based on our individual experiences in the past. These natural reactions in our brains can sometimes make it difficult for anyone (students and adults) to learn, work, and engage with others. Moreover, as we’re all balancing responsibilities at work and at home, we’re processing lots of information, making many decisions, and moving from one task to the next quickly.
This is where mindfulness can help. Jon Kabat-Zinn shares that, “Mindfulness means paying attention, in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally”. For me, mindfulness is challenging, especially focusing on the present moment. When I do stop to practice mindfulness, my brain is still moving quickly: thinking about that deadline this week, the laundry that needs to get done, that family member that wasn’t so kind last week, and more. However, when I settle my thoughts (and admittedly, they do still wander), I feel calmer and more focused afterwards. That feeling continues to bring me back to practicing mindfulness even though I’m far from mastering it. Although my own practice is still a work in progress, building a mindfulness habit can have a lasting, long-term ripple effect both for our individual well-being as well as the well-being of those around us.
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to take a few moments out of your day today to pause and focus on the present moment. As a community, we can shape a better future for ourselves and our students as we stop to become more mindful and intentional everyday.
- Jane Santa Cruz
SEL Project Manager
Mindfulness means paying attention, in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally. (Jon Kabat-Zinn)
This Month's Focus: Mindfulness
Visit CASEL's website for a detailed description of SEL and each of the five competencies.
Where Science, Mindfulness, and Social Justice Intersect
Creating Calm in Your Middle School Classroom
10 Ways to Feel Better with Music
Culturally Responsive Mindfulness Resources
Pure Edge
You can sign up for their free curriculum resources and consider joining their educator webinars!
Book Suggestions for More Mindfulness Learning
Global Citizenship and "Passage to Freedom" at Travis TAG
As part of a two-day lesson, Ms. Chapel shared the book Passage to Freedom by Ken Mochizuki. This book highlights a Japanese diplomat, located in Lithuania during WWII, who defies his government and saves thousands of Jews attempting to flee Europe by issuing them visas.
- They use the IB learner profile as a framework to highlight positive character traits of the characters.
- The main takeaway of this lesson is that we are principled and do the right thing, regardless of what others think or say.
Although Travis TAG is not officially an IB school, they are using the IB learner profile as an easy and seamless way to embed SEL into ongoing learning. Moreover, Ms. Chapel integrated mindful moments throughout her lesson to support potentially difficult discussions about current social issues. She took frequent breaks to help students process and reflect on new information, feelings, and ongoing dialogue.
Thank you to Ms. Chapel for your leadership!
Learning for Justice Resources
- After Atlanta: Teaching about Asian American Identity and History (Elizabeth Kleinrock)
- Humanizing Asian Americans in the Classroom Through Children's Literature (Dr. Monisha Bajaj)
- Speaking Up Against Racism Around the Coronavirus (Coshandra Dillard)
Training & Learning Opportunities
Save the Date! 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. We invite Dallas ISD secondary campuses to recruit a team of 5 students and one educator to attend.
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. Register Here.
SEL In Action: Teacher Discussion Series
Our next session, Creating Spaces of belonging: Dallas ISD PRIDE + Allies, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28th from 4:45-5:30PM (and based on the discussion article, Being Accepted, Not Just Tolerated, Is Good for Mental Health by Peter DeWitt).
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 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:
- Building Partnerships Inside and Outside the Classroom
Teacher Reflections: Discoveries about Teaching & Learning That Will Last Beyond the Pandemic
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
Mental Health Matters Virtual Symposium - May 1st, 10AM-2PM
The MHS team has collaborated with several departments within Dallas ISD, in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of mental health as a component of overall health and wellbeing, and share resources about the services available to students and families in the district. The SEL department will present two sessions: "10 Ways to Bring Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Home" and "La Conciencia Plena para Los Padres y Cuidadores" (Mindfulness for Parents and Caregivers/Spanish). Click this link to register.
Free Mindful Classes for Kids & Families
Smiling Mind - Free App
Mindful Parenting: How to Respond Instead of React
A Mindfulness Practice for Stressed-Out Parents
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 (Managing Stress with Mindfulness) is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21st, 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