Social-Emotional Learning @ CMS
December 2017
Panorama SEL Survey
Elyssa's Mission
Caruso Middle School provided depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program as presented by Elyssa’s Mission in Septmber. The program aims to increase help seeking by students concerned about themselves or a friend. Listed on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices, the SOS Program showed a reduction in self-reported suicide attempts by 40-64% in randomized control studies (Aseltine et al., 2007 & Schilling et al., 2016).
As a result of the programming, students received an overall average on the post-test of 95% (this is an excellent gain of 22%, well above average)! In addition, 97% of students correctly identified the ACT message (Acknowledge, Care, Tell)!
Monthly Themes
Every month, the SEL Team at Caruso promotes a new theme to highlight different ways to better our school, students, and community!
We are Digital Citizens:
In August/September, we tweeted out the Do's and Don'ts of online responsibility and tips to prevent and handle cyber bullying. Teachers also incorporated Digital Citizenship into their curriculum instruction to help students understand the significance of their online footprint and helping to establish a positive digital reputation.
We Are A Community:
In October, students participated in a lunchroom activity where they identified one specific way they were going to help make their school and community a better place. Students wrote their goal on paper and each task was posted on the halls of the school so that students and staff could visibly see how students were trying to make their improvements! Teachers incorporated leadership characteristics into their classroom curriculum to encourage students to emerge as a leader and to make positive change!
We Can Work Together for Good:
In November, students and staff worked together to donate to a local food pantry in preparation for Thanksgiving. Students learned that if each individual donated one simple item, that together we can make a significant impact for those in need!
We Are Caring:
In December, each student will be receiving a personalized post-it note on their lockers written by a staff member! These notes are a reminder of how much they are cared for and will brighten spirits! Team members will also be going into classrooms to promote a minute of mindfulness! Lastly, don't forget about our FUNdraiser aligning with Social Works!
6th Grade Highlights
The transition to middle school can be challenging for students to navigate. To help smooth the way, the 6th grade teams have incorporated lessons and strategies to help students be successful in 6th grade. Throughout this school year, students have participated in activities and learned about topics such as digital citizenship, team building, peer relationships/bullying, Habits of Success, and the Bluejay Way. Students also had an opportunity to learn more about how to identify feelings of stress and coping strategies in a presentation from stress management speaker, Joanne Burgess. The 6th grade teams will continue to incorporate these topics into their daily lessons and activities!
7th Grade Highlights
To celebrate a successful 1st quarter, 7th grade teams put on their annual Rewards Day to honor the hard work students have put forth. Rewards Day is an afternoon of team-based challenges and games that encourage students to work together as they engage in some friendly competition with their peers. Kids competed in various challenges from "identify that song" to "pictionary" and a "cup stacking" race. At the conclusion of the day, an assembly was held to recognize teams that most capably leveraged the teamwork, communication, and grit necessary to successfully navigate each of the challenges they faced. The event was enthusiastically received by students, and there will no doubt be more to celebrate as they continue to exhibit the essential skills needed to achieve success in school and beyond!
8th Grade Highlights
The 8th grade teachers have been incorporating social emotional learning into their curriculum and classrooms in a variety of ways throughout the school year. In their core classes, the 8th grade students completed bullying and digital citizenship lessons using Nearpod. These lessons taught students how to respond to bullying situations in various environments and how to appropriately use the internet while leaving a positive digital footprint. In addition to using Nearpod, social-emotional learning is also embedded into the social studies and language arts curriculum for our 8th grade students. For example, students learned about poverty, economic depression, and individuals with mental disabilities in their core classes. Learning about these different life events or disabilities has allowed our students to use empathy to contribute to thoughtful conversations and have a better understanding of those who have different life experiences.
Looking Ahead.....
On January 10 we are excited to welcome cyberbullying expert, Dr. Justin Patchin, to District 109. He will present to our students and also participate in an evening presentation for parents. More information coming soon!
As previously communicated, our district Social Emotional Learning Committee is off and running. The committee will be seeking input from stakeholders and is holding focus group sessions on Tuesday, December 5. Sign-ups are closed for this session, but look for additional information and opportunities in the future.
SEL National Awareness Upcoming Dates:
December:
- 12/3 National Handwashing Awareness
- 12/10 Human Rights Day
January 2018:
- Get Organized Month
- National Thank-You Month
- 1/15-1/19 No Name-Calling Week
Bluejay Way Reminder - Digital Citizenship
Here is a highlight from our Bluejay Way student expectations regarding digital citizenship:
Respect yourself. I will show respect for myself though my actions. I will select online names that are appropriate. I will use caution with the information, images, and other media that I post and view online. I will carefully consider what personal information I post.
Respect others. I will show respect for others. I will not use electronic mediums to antagonize or bully others.
Protect yourself. I will ensure that the information, images, and materials I post online will not put me at risk. I will not publish my personal details, contact details, or a schedule of my activities. I will report any attacks or inappropriate behavior directed at me while online. I will protect my passwords, accounts and resources.
Protect others. I will protect others by reporting abuse (i.e. not respecting or protecting self or others) and not forwarding inappropriate materials or communications.
Additional Resources
CMS Social-Emotional Learning Handbook
Table of Contents
- Illinois Social-Emotional Learning Standards
- Grade Level SEL/Advisement Activities
- Botvin Life Skills
- Elyssa’s Mission Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program
- Bullying Prevention Curriculum
- Panorama SEL Survey
- CMS Health Curriculum
- CMS SEL Response to Intervention
- Nearpod Digital Citizenship and Safety Lessons
- CMS Bluejay Way Behavioral Expectations
- CMS Positive Behavior Expectations Matrix
- CMS Content Area/Grade Level SEL Scope and Sequence
- Additional Areas of Focus
You may click the button above to report bullying, share other concerns, or give a shout out to someone who has done something positive for the Caruso community.
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Looking For More?
Clinical Team
Brittany Zajac - Guidance Counselor (bzajac@dps109.org)
Amanda Middleton - School Psychologist (amiddleton@dps109.org)
Website: http://caruso.dps109.org/
Location: 1801 Montgomery Road, Deerfield, IL, United States
Phone: (847)945-8430