EWRSD SEL Day 2023
On March 10, 2023, East Windsor Regional School District came together to showcase social-emotional learning in our schools.
SEL Day was celebrated at WCB by providing teachers with SEL related books and activities, in Spanish and English, based on the CASEL competencies - self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Students enjoyed spending time completing these activities throughout the day. Our librarian, Mrs. Crispino, selected books to put on display that highlighted the SEL competencies. Ms. Carosella spent time in the classrooms providing SEL lessons on growth mindset.
SEL Day was celebrated at EMK by providing teachers with SEL related books and activities, in Spanish and English, based on the CASEL competencies. Students enjoyed spending time completing these activities throughout the day.
Our librarian, Ms. Halat, selected books to put on display that highlighted the SEL competencies. Mrs. Snyder and Ms.Carosella spent time in the classrooms providing SEL lessons on growth mindset. They also spent time creating calm down kits to provide to all the classrooms at EMK and encourage the students to regulate their emotions.
Students at Grace N. Rogers Elementary School participated in five days of Kindness leading up to SEL day. Students discussed and participated in a daily task and watched a video related to kindness.
Leading up to SEL day, third-grade students were reminded how important they are with Christian Robinson’s book, You Matter.
Fourth and fifth-grade students have lessons on the power of their words. At GNR, we strive to be kind to one another!
The week ended with a visit from two therapy dogs from the Tri State Canine Response Team. The dogs will return throughout the year to help provide a positive learning environment for our students.
Our most highly anticipated event was Mario Day! Mr. Swist raced students in Mario Cart and everyone got to celebrate by wearing their best Mario gear!
Third-graders getting ready to compete!
On Wednesday, March 15, Perry L. Drew Elementary School students and families participated in SEL Night. The evening began with a family style dinner in the “Calm Cafe” where families were encouraged to hang up and hang out with each other and conservation was encouraged through the use of communication prompters.
Families were then treated to the debut of the new PLD School Song under the direction of Mrs. Behrens and her eager students. Their performance was inspirational and there was not a dry eye in the house.
Next, students and their parents then moved through four short sessions that focused on social emotional learning activities. These activities were interactive and included some favorites like zumba and yoga and also challenged families to try new mindfulness activities such as guided meditation and picture communication.
A favorite activity for many of the students was meeting three therapy dogs and of course our PLD resident, Oliver. This was an amazing turn out and fun was had by all! We hope to see this amazing night continue next year.
Melvin H. Kreps Middle School celebrated SEL Day through a week of spirit and fun activities.
The student council hosted a March Madness Spirit Week.
- Monday- Pajama Pants Day
- Tuesday- Sports Team Day
- Wednesday- Decades Day
- Thursday- Students wear white and staff wear black
- Friday- Wear Kreps Wear.
On March 9, the student council held a Staff vs. Student basketball game. The varsity student basketball players from both the girls and boys basketball teams had a great time playing against staff members from all grade levels and content areas. Mr. Morris shot the game winning basket and the teachers won the game. Over 150 students attended the game and a great time was had by all. Proceeds from the event are being donated to the New Jersey Association of Student Council’s State Charity: Imagine.
To kick off SEL day, Hightstown High School teachers and students participated in a daily challenge for the week. The focus of the challenges were related to social emotional learning by engaging in activities to build upon empathy, managing emotions, healthy relationships and responsibility.
Each day students and staff were provided a brief snippet of tools to engage in the following challenges:
- Monday - Active Listening
- Tuesday - Problem Solving Techniques
- Wednesday - Learning to manage stress
- Thursday - Creating a vision Board of their future
- Friday - Engaging in positive self-talk.
Additionally, throughout the week students had the opportunity to write 1-2 things they are grateful for on our gratitude wall which expressed: “Gratitude turns what we already have into Enough”. Gratitude has been proven to help individuals focus on the positive in their lives, deal with adversity, build strong relationships and increase overall positive emotions.