Spring has sprung and as preparations are underway for the end of the school year (and what a year it has been!), many of you find yourselves in the thick of planning for the return to school next fall. In this newsletter, you'll find more information about how the School Culture and Climate Initiative can support your efforts.
We are also excited to be launching a 5-week course this spring and summer (a course for principals and building leadership and another for teachers) that will help restore, rebuild and reinvigorate resiliency after this challenging year. More details will be coming soon!
Enjoy the warmer weather and remember just how much you have accomplished the past 14 months. It is truly remarkable!
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The School Culture and Climate Initiative is here to support you! |
We know school climate, SEL, and equity are intertwined and to be most effective any school improvement approach needs to address all three areas in a coordinated manner. We are pleased to be able to offer schools and districts a comprehensive, customized, three-year, data-driven approach that will build capacity within staff and ensure time and resources are used most effectively. True change is hard and takes time - this integrated approach supports your school throughout the process.
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Bernardsville Middle School |
Bernardsville Middle School (BMS) has not let the pandemic slow down their culture and climate initiatives. The dedicated and creative staff team coupled with the inspired student team roll out events and activities each month to keep the whole school involved and connected. At BMS, the school is divided into four houses. Students and staff earn points by participating and a house winner is declared each month.
The Student Culture and Climate Committee is a mighty and devoted group of students who meet several times a month to brainstorm ideas to pull the school community together. The student team helps originate and plan events, promotes enthusiasm by creating videos and flyers, and encourages their classmates to participate. Since the beginning of January, the group has promoted activities such as a basketball shot contest, candy bracketing competition (think March Madness with chocolate) and the Battle of the Books 2.0. Over 180 students at BMS participated in the Battle and the winners will compete in a water balloon fight against educators. Whether they attend school virtually or hybrid, the student team’s heroic efforts positively impact BMS’s bulldog spirit.
The staff team initiates academic and social events for students and staff. The virtual scavenger hunt generated excitement and a little competition for the newest Bulldogs in fifth grade. In March, all students were encouraged to participate in Pi Day Events such as, cooperating to post the numbers of pi throughout the building or competing in a virtual pie eating contest. Staff and students collected food and over 2,000 hygiene items for nourish.NJ. For our teachers, the staff team hosted a virtual sharing club, as well as a weekly walking club - all socially distanced, of course!
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School Support Network (SSN) meetings are free and everyone is welcome to attend. Share with your colleagues! |
JOIN US FOR THE LAST SSN MEETING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!
It's All About Emotions: The Foundation for Relationships, Connection, Successful Teams and Successful Schools
May 19 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Presented by: Patrick Fennell, Founder/President, Empowerment Solutions, LLC
Conversations about creating equitable environments that appreciate diversity evoke varied responses, feelings and for some, a level of fear, confusion and/or anxiety. Equity and diversity are more than buzzwords…they are foundational to establishing, maintaining and building a positive culture and climate for all stakeholders within a school community. Meaningful conversations that lead to action require safe spaces for reflection and awareness. Successful school communities create environments that are conducive to all and empower everyone to contribute and thrive.
Our interactive, thought-provoking conversation will focus on recognizing and identifying barriers to creating equitable and inclusive environments, implementing best practices to overcome common barriers along with tips and tools for emotionally intelligent, open dialogue for what have been deemed “difficult” conversations.
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SAVE THE DATE
Kickoff the 2021-22 School Year
September 15 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
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Coffee chats are virtual gatherings that allow schools to connect with one another. Participants have shared successes, challenges, and ideas with their colleagues during our past coffee chats. Coffee chats are open for all to attend.
May 26 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
August 18 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
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These coffee chats where we bring together educators in similar roles. While collaborating with colleagues in diverse roles has its advantages, gathering with those in the same professional role allows you to explore more in-depth job-specific concerns, issues and potential strategies.
Administrator Network
July 21 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
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Lessons from the Field: Connection, Engagement, and the Importance of Relationships Both Now and for the Upcoming Year
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The School Culture and Climate Initiative offers one-on-one or small group coaching for educators who are interested in honing their skills in incorporating social-emotional learning and creating positive climates in their schools and classrooms. Educators and our coaches form strong coaching partnerships and collaboratively identify personal development goals. Coaches provide modeling, observation and feedback, and spend quality time with educators, ideally, across a full academic year.
Teachers benefit by:
• Receiving specific feedback that allows for skill development and growth
• Setting personal goals that allow each teacher to maximize their full potential
• Cultivating classrooms where the learning environment is positive and engaging
• Developing and managing nurturing relationships with their students
Administrators benefit by:
• Receiving tools to help staff better collaborate, manage stress, and maintain their overall well-being
• Collaborating with the coach regularly to ensure positive outcomes in the larger school community.
Contact SCCI for more information!
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Funding for School Climate Actions |
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New Sustainable Jersey for Schools Funding Opportunity!
The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), a Sustainable Jersey for Schools program Underwriter, is contributing $100,000 to support a Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grants Program cycle. The cycle offers four $10,000 project grants and thirty $2,000 project or green team support grants. The funding supports efforts to implement projects that help participating schools make progress toward a sustainable future and gain points needed for Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. To see if you are eligible for this grant, click here.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, May 14th at 11:59 p.m.
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Resources, Webinars, and PD
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Newark Trust for Education is proud to present the third annual Safe and Supportive Learning Environments (SSLE) Summit: Covid-19 & Beyond
May 10-13, 2021
The focus is on working together with students and families to create safe and supportive learning environments post pandemic. Participants will hear keynote remarks delivered by experts including Karen L. Mapp, Ed.D., Harvard Graduate School of Education; Dena Simmons, Ed.D., Educator. Activist. Lifelong Learner and founder of LiberatED; David Adams, Board of Directors of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and CEO of The Urban Assembly; and national expert on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Dave Ellis, Executive Director for the Office of Resilience within New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). On each of the four days, sessions will cover topics that span the Early Childhood and P - 12 education spaces. Click here for more information and to register.
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Pure Edge Webinar: "Exploring Movement for All Bodies"
MAY 14 & 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Movement and mental health are inextricably connected. For Mental Health Awareness Month, join certified personal trainer and trauma-informed fitness professional Aleksei Weaver for a series of 45-minute sessions that invite participants to move in support of body awareness, connection, and their unique needs. This movement-based series incorporates breathing strategies and is divided into seated (5/14) and floor-based (5/21) sessions for accessibility. Please wear clothing suitable for light exercise. Register here
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Second Step Webinar: "Making Educator Wellness a Priority "
May 19 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Teaching is one of the most stressful professions. That stress can affect your health, your job satisfaction, and even the quality of your teaching. However, decades of research show that when teachers feel better, they perform better. In this webinar, you’ll learn some simple strategies you can use immediately to reduce stress and improve your wellness. Register here
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CASEL Cares Webinar "American Rescue Plan Act: Funding Social and Emotional Learning"
May 21 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
With historic levels of funding in education available, how is your community making connections to SEL in your budget priorities? The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) offers an unparalleled opportunity for state and district leaders to make long-term investments in SEL to support students’ learning and development, promote educator SEL and well-being, deepen partnerships with families and communities, and create more inclusive and equitable learning environments. Join our webinar to learn more about how you can leverage ARP to bolster evidence-based implementation of SEL and fully support students, families and educators. Recommended for district and state leaders. Register here
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Archived Webinar: “NJ’s Children’s System of Care: How to Connect Your Patients to Mental Health Services”
This archived webinar for connecting youth and families to mental health and intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities services in New Jersey was held on March 16th. Learn about how these services are accessed and delivered. The second half of the session is a Q&A which is also highly informative as well as the FAQ.
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Article: "4 Ways Schools Can Support Students and Educators as We Return to In-Person Learning"
By Sara Potler LaHayne, Founder & CEO of Move This World
While academic learning and lesson plans are important, our priority when it comes to getting back to school needs to be clear. There is a childhood mental health crisis sitting just under the surface for an entire generation of children who are not getting what they need developmentally, emotionally, and otherwise. Once we return to the classroom at full capacity, students will have a new set of challenges to overcome. Beyond decreased in-person interaction, the racial and economic disparities that the virus presents are also exacerbating the mental health crisis. Read more
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Article: "4 Relationship-Building Strategies to Help Finish the School Year Strong"
Students still have time to make connections with their classmates, and projects that require teamwork are a great place to start. Read more
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"Youth Mental Health First Aid"
The Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) can provide Youth Mental Health First Aid to your school or organization at no cost. "Youth Mental Health First Aid" is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders."
If you are interested in receiving training, please email us.
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