Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
SEL Information for Students & Parents ~ Week of 3-30-20 ~
What is SEL?
According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, also known as CASEL, the hub and the first Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) organization, SEL is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. At P-H-M, we have several SEL initiatives going on, and SEL lessons is one of the initiatives. Just as we teach reading, math, writing, science, social studies, etc., if we want our students to learn vital SEL skills for success both now and in the future, we make a point to explicitly teach SEL skills to our students in a proactive manner. This helps our students reach their potential. Below, please find SEL lessons on stress management by age level. Future SEL Lessons will come from your child's school.
SEL Information for Students: SEL Lessons on Stress Management
Penn High School: "SEL Shorts"
This information has also been shared with high school students via email.
Middle School SEL Lesson
Elementary SEL Lessons
Today, Ms. Dani Mazick, YSB at Horizon, has put together two lessons for all of our elementary-aged students to help think of ways to manage stress while we are in a shelter in place. Elementary-aged students will be engaged with Ms. Mazick's energy as she demonstrates movement to help manage stress. Movement is one way to regulate the brain and can really help students deal with stress in a natural, fun way!
Please click here for the K-2 Video (this can also be used for preschoolers).
Please click here for the 3rd-5th Grades Video. Please click here to see Ms. Mazick's slide deck with information on stress as well.
SEL Information for Parents/Guardians: Talking with Your Child(ren) About COVID-19 & Stress Management
Parent/Guardian Resources
Parents/Guardians,
This section is just for you!
Please check out SEL webpage on P-H-M's website (please click here) for resources you may find helpful.
Below, please find some information specifically regarding talking with your child about COVID-19 and practical ways to manage stress/anxieties:
Due to COVID-19, Coronavirus, many people may have concerns and anxieties looming about their own health and the spread of the disease. As parents, we may have questions about how to talk to our children about the disease. With that in mind, we wanted to offer ways to support you from the social-emotional side. Please play the video below to hear the quick version of talking with your child about the Coronavirus, and click here for a SEL resource that is more in-depth, and also has strategies to manage stress or relieve anxieties. At the link, you will also find suggestions to consider when talking with your child, which include being available and present as they may need you more than ever, remaining calm and reassuring, and being mindful of signs of stress and anxiety in your child(ren). If your child(ren) is experiencing signs of stress, help your child implement one of the coping strategies offered in the SEL lessons above. It is also helpful for parents/guardians to model positive self-care, emulate a sense of calm, and bring a sense of normalcy during times of uncertainty (e.g., staying on a routine, showing a visual schedule to help your child know what to expect, eating meals together, making special time for you child(ren), relieving anxieties the best way possible, practicing and modeling flexible thinking, and supervising media consumption). Please check out the resources on the SEL webpage linked above, as well as other SEL resources on mental wellness (please click here for one SEL resource).
During this time, we hope you and your family stay safe, well and happy and find the Social-Emotional resources of benefit.
Mental Health Supports for All
Resources for Mental Health and Wellness
The Coronavirus pandemic can cause uncertainty so I want to make you aware of supports to help bring about a sense of calm during these storms. Infectious Disease outbreaks like the Coronavirus cause many feelings of distress and anxiety, as well as cause feelings of confusion, being overwhelmed, powerless and scared. These are normal feelings in all of us, even if we are not at high risk. There are many actions we can take to support one another during this time.
Counselors at the middle and high school, as well as Youth Service Bureau Specialists, are available during normal school hours if you need additional information or resources. Please reach out to the counselor specifically, or contact your principal for non-emergencies. If you do have mental health crisis related to suicide ideation, please call 911 for immediate risks.
DMHA also recommends that Hoosiers feeling distress or anxiety due to the pandemic call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990.
Live crisis counseling
Toll-free
Multi-lingual
Confidential.
Text option is also available: Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline-The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals
Call 1-800-273-TALK.
Safe School Helpline-is a 24/7 communication service that empowers school administrators to make proactive decisions as well as creating reporting responsibilities for students, parents and community members to share in the maintenance of a safe learning environment-Call 1-800-4-1-VOICE x359-