The sun is shining and it certainly feels like summer outside. In previous years we would be slowing down, holding gatherings with friends and family, and enjoying the change of pace summer brings after a long academic year. In spite of the extraordinary past 4 months of upheaval, it is more important than ever to embrace the opportunity this summer provides to reflect and recharge. Our country has changed and so has education. To manage a successful return to school, whatever it may look like, and to have the hard conversations we need to have (please see the
SCCI Statement of Unity
) will take energy, empathy and considered intention. Everyone will need to draw on their social and emotional skills to create an environment that is safe, respectful, connected and thoughtful. So please be kind to yourself! Enjoy your family and friends (while social distancing of course!), laugh, connect, breathe deeply and know we are all so thankful and grateful to all of you.
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We are launching Coffee Chats this summer! We look forward to connecting and hearing from you in an informal setting during our Coffee Chats via Zoom. All Coffee Chats will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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With the unveiling this month of The Arts Education & Social and Emotional Learning Framework, New Jersey is now the first state in the nation to provide a formal roadmap illustrating how the arts foster, and often amplify SEL components, and more importantly, how educators can effectively embed SEL into their arts curriculum.
Read the full story.
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School Support Network Meetings will likely continue in a virtual format from now through December. Times may vary based on what happens at the start of the school year but here are our plans for the upcoming months...
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VIRTUAL SSN MEETING FOR DISTRICT AND SCHOOL LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS
June 24 - 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
As new guidance is made available from the NJ DOE for the upcoming school year, we expect that district and school administrators will be busy during the months of June and July creating their plans for the launch of the next academic year. We realize that this is no easy task considering all of the complexities of ongoing health considerations, access to technology and the myriad of equity issues that have arisen during the pandemic. Please come prepared to share your ideas, learn from others and perhaps brainstorm some new ideas for making the most of a challenging situation.
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KICKOFF FOR THE 2020-21 SCHO
OL YEAR!
August 26 -
9:00-10:30 a.m.
The format and structure for the upcoming school year are still unknown but will likely require some adaptations to ensure student and staff safety and wellness. Join us as we explore ideas for how we ensure that we start the year off on a positive note and build the necessary connections with students and families. The majority of the SSN meeting will be a time of sharing and idea exchange. We will also offer a short professional development segment on how we maximize connection and engagement – even if our classrooms are virtual for the start of the year.
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Save the Dates
(Times/Topics TBD)
September 16, 2020
October 21, 2020
November 18, 2020
December 16, 2020
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Our
June Vol. 1 newsletter included professional development offerings available through SCCI as well as various resources related to
anti-racism,
cultural competence and
social justice.
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The purpose of the panel discussion was to provide the school community with a research-based framework on racism, to engage in meaningful conversations about addressing racial trauma to support our commitment to an inclusive environment that is safe and welcoming for all.
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Summer Series Offered by the School Culture and Climate Initiative
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The following series of virtual sessions are interactive professional development workshops that take place in real time. There will be a modest fee for each of these.
More information will be available soon!
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A Trauma-Informed Approach to Maximize School Re-Entry – PART 1
July 23, 2020
Childhood trauma can have a direct and immediate impact on the social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development of children. Many of our students are exposed to trauma early in life and they struggle to accurately perceive safety and self-worth, to self-regulate and to succeed socially or academically. In fact, the groundbreaking ACE study illuminated the surprising universality of trauma. This reality, coupled with the fact that many students and their families have experienced high levels of stress and anxiety due to the current environment, requires us to thoughtfully consider school re-entry for the fall and what changes need to be made in order to establish classrooms that promote safety, trust and collaboration. This
interactive
virtual workshop, part one in a two-part series, is specifically designed for administrators who are in the midst of planning for re-entry and acknowledge that now, more than ever, we must examine and focus on transforming our schools in order to create the right conditions for learning. Part one will focus on understanding trauma, its impact, particularly when exacerbated by additional stress, and what role the school plays in establishing an infrastructure for social and emotional well-being and academic success.
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A Trauma-Informed Approach to Maximize School Re-Entry – PART 2
July 30, 2020
This session will build on the preliminary concepts established in part one. Although participation in both sessions is not required, it is highly recommended. Understanding trauma, and its impact on childhood development, is crucial in order for appropriate interventions to be implemented. Administrators who attend this session will explore how trauma manifests in the classroom and how adults are inclined to respond. As we begin to understand more about traumatized children, and how the last few months may have impacted them, we can begin to make shifts in our thinking followed by shifts in our policies and practices. The components of a trauma-sensitive school will be examined through a systems lens. This session will delve into discipline policies and practices and effective referral response plans. A variety of useful interventions will be shared that support all student behavior but especially our students who have experienced trauma. The format for this workshop will be
interactive
and virtual and the concepts and strategies offered in this two-part series will assist administrators in developing a school re-entry plan that prioritizes the safety and well-being of students and sets the stage for academic and lifelong success.
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Getting Ready for the Fall
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Social-emotional skills, a positive school climate, and data informed decision making are more important now than ever as schools begin to plan for the upcoming fall. The School Culture and Climate Initiative (SCCI) offers a wide range of supports and resources that can be customized to help schools become places where the learning environment is positive and engaging for all - whether teaching is in-person, virtual or a hybrid model. SCCI, housed at the Center for Human and Social Development at the College of Saint Elizabeth, has a wide range of resources centered around SEL and school climate including: long-term improvement planning, surveys and assessment tools, SEL teacher coaching, Professional Development and of course Professional Learning Communities such as the School Support Network, the SCAIP PLC and the Learning Network for professionals in the field.
Check out our website
for more details or contact
Liz Warner
.
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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. Contact
Liz Warner
for more information.
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For questions about SSN meetings, contact Liz Warner
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For questions about or difficulty with registration, contact Leighann Garland
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