Spring has sprung and as preparations are underway for the end of the school year, many of you find yourselves in the thick of planning for the return to school next fall which will hopefully be a time of renewal and fresh starts.
In this newsletter, you will find more information about how the School Culture and Climate Initiative can support your efforts to harness what has been learned over the last few years and build a foundation that creates schools of kindness, compassion, and support. Remember to take deep breaths and enjoy the sounds and smells of spring!
And thank you for making SELday 2023 a huge success...be sure to check out the section below noting our many accomplishments this year!
|
You've gotten your survey results...now what? Let the School Culture and Climate Initiative (SCCI) help you interpret your results and decide the best next steps for your school/district!
SCCI is committed to using data from multiple sources to guide all school climate improvement efforts. A data-driven approach ensures that decisions are grounded in evidence, that resources are used wisely, and that progress can be measured, identified, and celebrated.
We offer access to a variety of reliable and useful tools, data analysis and reporting, and assistance with interpreting the data to determine helpful next steps. Custom evaluation services to meet the individualized needs of schools or organizations are also available.
-
Assessment Interpretation and Support – including post-survey support for the new NJ SCI Survey
- Custom Evaluation Services
-
Specific Assessment tools available and supported by the Lab: School Culture and Climate Assessment Survey; Equity and Inclusion Survey (middle school and high school); Panorama Social-Emotional Learning Survey; Panorama Well-Being Survey; School Health Assessment Survey; Spectrum Diversity School Climate and Bullying Prevention Survey
Why Choose Us?
- We have extensive knowledge in social-emotional learning and school climate, as well as expertise in evaluation design, implementation, and analysis.
- Our 10-year track record along with numerous awards and recognitions make us the provider that so many schools trust.
- We not only design evaluation options but also manage the entire process including administration and action planning post-assessment.
The School Culture and Climate Initiative is here to support you! Contact us for more information on any of our services!
|
"Cultivating a Supportive Environment for Students with Anxiety"
May 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ET
Location: Sage Alliance at Rochelle Park, 295 Rochelle Ave Rochelle Park, NJ
Just as plants thrive when the environmental conditions are right, we believe students can grow and learn when we nurture specific environmental factors in our schools. Together, we will look at how culture, connection, and curiosity can be companions to anxiety that allow students to work with their anxiety rather than against it. This workshop will help participants:
- Understand anxiety and embrace its value
- Recognize attributes of school culture that impact anxiety
- Identify opportunities to promote joy, connection, and wellness for students and staff
- Learn practical strategies that support students’ feeling of safety and confidence
Presented by: Audrey Stone, Clinical Director; Leah Sackmary-Dodd, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant; and Corie Stone, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Sage Alliance Schools
|
|
School Support Network (SSN) meetings are free and everyone is welcome to attend. Share with your colleagues! |
May 4 - 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ET
In-Person SSN Meeting (Bergen County)
"Cultivating a Supportive Environment for Students with Anxiety"
Location: Sage Alliance at Rochelle Park, 295 Rochelle Ave Rochelle Park, NJ
|
May 17 - 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
"Maximizing Educator Well-Being: Enhancing Your Ability to Connect, Communicate, and Build Relationships"
Presented by: Tre Gammage, Social Emotional Learning Specialist and Speaker
Studies show that adults who are active participants in SEL are less stressed, and improve students' social-emotional and academic outcomes. Explore three relationship and communication strategies, to help you have better conversations with people you don’t usually connect with (less stress!); understand where the tension comes from in personal and professional relationships; and how to create win-win outcomes in your classroom and school community (more well-being).
|
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 held from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. ET and are open for all to attend.
|
These are 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. These coffee chats are held from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. ET.
School Counselor Coffee Chat
Administrator Coffee Chat
|
|
Celebrating #SELday Success! |
|
Uplifting Hearts, Connecting Minds
On Friday, March 10th, thousands of educators, students, community organizers, and individuals celebrated the fourth annual International SEL Day—Uplifting Hearts, Connecting Minds—by showcasing, promoting, advocating, and supporting SEL around the globe. YOUR efforts helped #SELday reach several important milestones in New Jersey:
-
22.5% Increase in the number of NJ schools participating in SEL Day (we suspect the number is even larger) compared to last year
-
23% of the global total - the 577 NJ schools represented 23% of the global total of schools participating in SEL day!
-
#1 and 3 in the top 15 - NJ had three schools in the top 15 of badge winners including the #1 spot - congratulations Colts Neck (#1), Butler, and Cranford!
-
Top 5 - NJ was in the top five of the most influential twitter profiles alongside CASEL, SEL4US and the Urban Assembly - the highest of all the SEL4 state affiliates!
-
The first ever SEL4NJ SEL Day Summit! View PowerPoints and recordings here.
National Milestones:
- Over 10 million views from over 5,000 mentions and 40,000 interactions with #SELday across social media
- #SELday trended on Twitter for several hours
- Nine #SELday state proclamations
- A letter recognizing #SELday from President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden
- A bipartisan resolution for National SEL Week introduced in the U.S. Senate
- Over #SELday 4,100 participants representing 88 countries and all 50 U.S. states
- More than 2,500 schools, districts, and youth-serving organizations represented
- Participants committed to over 11,000 actions to showcase, promote, advocate, and support #SELday
|
|
|
|
New Jersey Board of Education Proclamation |
|
New Jersey Governor's Proclamation |
|
President Biden's Proclamation |
|
Funding Opportunity - Urgent Deadline! |
|
Professional Development, Webinars, and Resources |
|
Morris County Education Partnership Training "Recognize and Reach Out"
Wednesday, April 26 from 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. ET
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24. In the last year, 1 out of 6 students in grades 9-12 reported seriously thinking about suicide. Youth are thinking about suicide but are afraid to ask for help. We are in the scary times of a youth mental health crisis and yet, people are afraid to talk about suicide or are not sure of where to begin. This presentation outlines risk factors among youth and helps recognize the warning signs to better identify who may be struggling. We share guidelines for how to start a conversation about suicide with a young person, how to assist them in recognizing their support systems, and identifying trusted adults in their life. Resources for youth are also shared along with tips for fostering resiliency.
Presenter: Tracy Cappiccille, LPC, DRCC, Mental Health First Aid USA Instructor; Director, Suicide Prevention Services, Mental Health Association
*Followed by a panel discussion
In-Person Training
Morris County Public Safety Training Academy
500 W Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
Sponsored by the Morris County Education Partnership, a subcommittee of the Youth Services Advisory Committee (YSAC)
|
|
|
"The Evidence is Clear: An Update on Research Examining Social and Emotional Learning"
April 27 from 1:00 p.m. — 2:00 p.m. ET
More than a decade ago, a landmark 2011 meta-analysis established a strong
evidence base, finding that classroom instruction that integrated social and emotional learning alongside academic learning not only supported student behavior and well-being; it also translated, on average, into an 11 percentile point gain in academic achievement. Since that time, hundreds of rigorous studies from researchers around the world have documented the benefits of instructional programs that integrate social and emotional learning, teaching students how to recognize and manage their feelings, care for and collaborate with others, and make responsible decisions.
Join us to discuss significant advancements in the evidence base regarding social and emotional learning and what this means for research, practice, and policy. In this webinar co-hosted with the Learning Policy Institute, Dr. Mark Greenberg will overview findings from a newly-released report commissioned by the Learning Policy Institute that reviews 12 separate meta-analyses, covering hundreds of independent studies. He’ll join Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond and Dr. Aaliyah Samuel in a conversation moderated by Dr. Timothy Shriver on how these findings connect to other recent research, the implications, and future directions for the field.
Recommended for: researchers, policy influencers, and district and school leaders. Register here
|
|
|
|
Status Check: The Top Challenges to Social-Emotional Learning and How to Address Them
"Students sorely need [SEL] skills. Seventy percent of educators—teachers, principals and district leaders—surveyed... said that their students have been misbehaving more compared to the fall of 2019." Read more
|
|
|
 |
A Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Schools can develop a thoughtful plan to discuss the topic with students by addressing both risk factors and protective factors of suicide. Read more
If It Matters to Kids, It Matters
When children feel loved, cared for, and valued, they are better able to process information and voice their opinions. Read more
Planting a Garden That Reinforces SEL
Social and emotional herb gardens offer young students a sensory learning experience and a chance to explore their feelings. Read more
|
|
|
|
Did COVID-19 policies cause an increase in school violence?
Recent acts of violence in classrooms are raising questions about safety and whether the pandemic might be contributing to student misconduct. Read the article
|
|
|
"Teens and Mental Health: How Girls Really Feel About Social Media"
Our years of research into the connection between technology and mental health has put social media in the crosshairs of this discussion. This new report gives us a comprehensive, up-to-date road map to teen girls' online lives—with commentary straight from the girls themselves. Where do they spend their time online, and what do they come across while they are there? And do they believe any platforms are worse offenders than others when it comes to their mental health? Read more
|
|
|
|
Rutgers University's official SECD Lab Podcast aims to guide school-based efforts on prevention, social-emotional learning, social decision making, social problem solving, violence prevention, and character development. Chi Kim of Pure Edge Inc. and Sanaa Rangwala of Rutgers University exhibit the expansive world of social and emotional learning. Chi shares her expertise in the world and science of mindfulness as a central component of SEL. She explains how mindfulness in the classroom promotes learning and an atmosphere of ease. She takes us through exercises and explains how mindfulness practice is better described as an invitation. We warmly invite you to listen and benefit from Chi’s multi-faceted world of SEL. Listen to the podcast.
|
|
|
Tre Gammage Podcast "The Dash"
Tre Gammage is an education consultant with the Gammage Consulting Group who helps k-12 school's implement social and emotional learning programs. Tre has been hosting The Dash podcast since 2017 and every week he features educator's who facilitate solutions for school communities.
In this episode, Tre has a conversation with Liz Warner and Trish Heindel from the School Culture & Climate Initiative. Explore their systemic approach to school climate and culture, the differences between competition and collaboration, and what it takes to be an SEL leader. Tune in to learn how to better serve your school's needs and create a more positive learning environment. Listen to the podcast.
|
|
|
School Culture and Climate Initiative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
