Autumn is always an interesting time - lots of different experiences for our senses and emotions. Whether it is the warm days followed by cool nights, the leaves changing from green to the vibrant yellow, red, and oranges of autumn, to the anticipation of what the new school year may bring, all combine to send a message of change and opportunity. The changes we are experiencing offers the opportunity to celebrate and focus on the strengths of students and educators.
Our first School Support Network meeting was a wonderful start to the year - Christa Tinari shared insights and tips on how to take a strengths-based approach to teaching and to our interactions with others. It was wonderful! If you missed the meeting please check out the meeting notes and PPT on our website.
We are looking forward to connecting with you this academic year! In this newsletter are details for coffee chats and other ways we are able to support you, your colleagues, and schools.
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Responses from participants at the September SSN Meeting |
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.
What We Offer:
Whether you are interested in supporting new teachers, fostering teacher leaders as mentors, or training your whole staff in a set of SEL skills, our coaching supports include:
- Co-planning
- Goal-setting
- Co-teaching
- Modeling (can be for an individual teacher or group of teachers)
- Observation and feedback
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.
To learn more about SEL coaching, contact Liz Warner, Co-Director of the School Culture and Climate Initiative.
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School Support Network (SSN) meetings are free and everyone is welcome to attend. Share with your colleagues! All meetings are held virtually from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET. |
"Title TBD"
October 19 - 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Presented TBD
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SAVE THE DATES
November 16
January 18
February 15
March 22 (tentatively in-person from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.)
April 19
May 17
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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 held from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. ET and are open for all to attend.
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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 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Administrator Coffee Chat
School Counselor Coffee Chat
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"Starting Strong: Fostering a Positive School Climate Through a Strengths-Based Approach"
Presented by: Christa Tinari, former NJ Student Assistance Counselor and Author
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SCCI Professional Development
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Research shows that educators who cultivate their own SEL practices enjoy more positive relationships with their students and see improved academic performance in their classrooms.
Designed specifically to help educators develop their SEL skills, the Building Within workshop series features guided personal reflections and offers tools for implementing SEL practices on a daily basis. Led by social emotional learning coaches Erica Brentan and Kathleen McClay, the workshops will provide educators with a set of activities they can take back to their schools and easily share with students and colleagues.
Series topics include
- Understanding, accepting, and positively responding to emotions
- Cultivating the perseverance, patience and courage needed to manage change
- Strengthening compassion and gratitude for the self and others
- Building strong, healthy classroom communities
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Feedback from participants
"I love this course. Each session, I walked away rejuvenated and refocused."
"The workshop really helped me realize my purpose and what my goals are related to teaching. I loved the presenters - they were kind and very engaging! Definitely will use these activities with my students."
"I learned something new at every session and was able to share my new learning with my students the next day, literally."
Series details
Held December 14, January 11, February 15, March 15, and April 19 from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) via Zoom for a total of five 1-hour sessions.
Registration details
Cost: $149 per person
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Bring this series to your school/district
This series is flexible and we would love to discuss how it can be brought to your school to meet your needs. Contact us to customize the series for your school/district.
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This workshop series provides a unique opportunity for school and district leadership to apply basic tools and processes around climate improvement to their own school community while also providing an onboarding ramp for deeper reflection and practice for positive school climate implementation.
What it is
A workshop series for school and district leadership that addresses the urgent need to improve the mental health and resilience of school communities. The series involves:
- online and synchronous instruction
- a networking community of peers and national experts
What you will do
- Explore a framework for an integrated, systemic, and sustainable approach to positive school climate.
- Discuss examples of what this approach looks like in practice.
- Explore common challenges and solutions involved in implementing the approach.
- Craft a communication plan to apply this model locally.
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Series benefits
- Learn strategies you can start applying during the 2022-2023 school year.
- Network with peers.
- Gain know-how from national experts to further support your school improvement efforts.
- Develop insight into how the social and emotional well-being of students and staff helps create a positive learning environment.
- Create the basic framework of a plan to improve your school climate.
Series dates/times
Every other Thursday from January through March from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) via Zoom for a total of six 1.5-hour sessions.
Registration details
Cost: $750 per person
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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 $180,000 to support a Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grants Program cycle. The cycle offers ten $10,000 district and school sustainability project grants and forty $2,000 school green team 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. Specific climate actions that are fundable include:
- Inclusive Environments Where All Can Thrive
- School Culture and Climate Needs Assessment
- Social-Emotional Integrated Unit
Application Deadline: Monday, October 31, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST
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SCAIP Professional Learning Community |
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2021-2022 School Climate Assessment and Improvement Process (SCAIP) Virtual PLCs
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These PLCs are a networking opportunity designed for SCAIP schools that are just beginning; are currently in years 2, 3 or extended 4; or have completed the 3-year School Climate Assessment and Improvement Process. During the SCAIP PLCs, educators have the chance to share, learn and inspire each other.
Individual representatives or the entire Culture and Climate team are welcome to attend! Watch your email for formal invitations to each PLC and share with your colleagues!
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PD, Webinars, and Resources |
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CASEL Webinar "Threading Voices to Advance SEL"
September 29 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EDT
When families, educators, and policymakers work together to advance social-emotional learning (SEL), more pathways open for children to achieve success in school and throughout their lives. Join Committee for Children CEO Andrea Lovanhill and VP of Policy and Advocacy Jordan Posamentier as they discuss the current challenges and opportunities in the field of SEL, present new data that shows overwhelming support from parents and caregivers for school-based SEL, and highlight opportunities to advocate for SEL in your communities. This webinar is sponsored by Committee for Children, Lead sponsor of the 2022 SEL Exchange Virtual Summit, hosted by CASEL. Register here
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Student Wellness Issues for Schools to Watch This Year
"Student mental health and well-being attracted a huge amount of attention during the 2021-22 school year. This school year is likely bring a similar level of attention to those issues.
But there are some big differences going into this school year that have many educators hopeful that the 2022-23 academic year won’t be as grim and difficult as the last one. For one thing, most students have been back to full-time, in-person school for an entire year, and are beginning to get used to the routines again.
Plus, educators now have a better idea this school year of what to expect and how to handle students’ social and emotional needs." Read more
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"Making Students Feel Safe"
A trauma-informed approach ensures that students feel safe, supported, and nurtured—to improve their chances of academic success. Fall-Hamilton Elementary emphasizes social and emotional learning and trauma-informed practices as a path to improving students’ academic outcomes. Watch the video to hear about their approach.
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Join the national campaign, All Kids Safe and Well!
Across the United States, youth are experiencing increased rates of sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. This advocacy campaign is designed to increase awareness and uplift the need to prioritize access to building life skills and primary prevention in a full continuum of support that enables children and youth to learn, be safe, and to thrive. Learn more
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Need Assistance with your School Climate Survey? |
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The School Climate Assessment Lab (Lab), which is part of the School Culture and Climate Initiative, offers a variety of reliable and useful tools along with data analysis and reporting, and assistance with interpreting the data for action planning. If you are seeking a school climate survey to use in the coming year, the Lab can assist you with administration of the School Culture and Climate Assessment Survey for students and staff (online or paper; English or Spanish); data analysis and a customized data report; and an in-person data review to discuss findings, strengths and opportunities for growth. For those schools seeking additional support in addressing those opportunities for growth, consider participating in the School Climate Assessment and Improvement Process (SCAIP), a three-year individualized school improvement process. SCAIP includes all of the Lab services mentioned but also offers additional guidance and support from a school climate expert. To learn more about the Lab or SCAIP, contact Patricia Heindel, Ph.D., Co-Director of the School Culture and Climate Initiative.
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School Culture and Climate Initiative
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