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San Diego County �SEL Community of Practice� �Supporting SEL

with Diverse Families �and �Communities�May 21, 2021��Mara Madrigal-Weiss �Heather Nemour & Paige Metz

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Today’s Objectives

Model an SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Community of Practice

Provide information and set expectations for the SEL CoPs

Share turnkey activities that can be used in a county SEL Community of Practice

Model CASEL’s Three Signature Practices

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AGENDA

Overview
Welcoming Ritual
Connecting Activity
Exploring Family and Community Engagement with an SEL Lens
Building Partnerships and Honoring the Contributions of Diverse Families
Listening Well and Communicating Effectively with Families
Aligning around SEL Through Community Partnerships
Brain Break
Expanded Learning and SEL
SEL Strategies for Families
Optimistic Closure

AGENDA

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Meeting Norms

Come as you are

Take space and make space

Use the chat to ask questions

and engage

1

2

3

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Review SEL CoP Expectations

Full district/school team attends each of the 6 meetings

Site administrator must be in attendance

Each CoP should be meeting monthly to plan

SDCOE will hold office hours for any team members that would like to join

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Welcoming Ritual

What SEL strategies have you used within your family or community setting?

(Put in the chat)

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Exploring Family �& Community Engagement with an SEL Lens

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"Research suggests that evidence-based SEL programs are more effective when they extend into the home "

(Albright & Weissberg, 2010)

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Benefits of Family Engagement� in SEL

STUDENTS

Increased academic achievement

Improved attitude and behavior-

Increased attendance

Improved mental health

TEACHERS

Improved morale

Stronger school culture and climate

Improved relationships and communication

PARENTS

Increased parental confidence

Stronger interest in personal development and education

Improved relationships and communication

Adapted from materials provided in the “MOVE this World” Parent Engagement and SEL Toolkit

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Building Partnerships and Honoring the Contributions of Diverse Families

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SEL for Diverse Families:

The What, When

&

How

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"Families are far more likely to form partnerships with schools when the school’s norms, values, and cultural representations reflect their own experiences"

(Atunez, 2000)

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What?

What is SEL
What does the science and research tell us about SEL
How does the school plan to implement and integrate SEL
What programs will be used

Adapted from materials provided in the “MOVE this World” Parent Engagement and SEL Toolkit

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When?

Provide foundational knowledge at the beginning of the school year

Share updated information on programming & continue to share resources throughout the school year

Adapted from materials provided in the “MOVE this World” Parent Engagement and SEL Toolkit

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How?

Share information at open house or back to school night
Send written communication home to families via students
Communicate virtually including text messages as appropriate
Discuss student progress at parent teacher conferences and other 1:1 meetings

Adapted from materials provided in the “MOVE this World”

Parent Engagement and SEL Toolkit

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SEL Family Night

Agenda Items	Minutes	Description of Each Agenda Item
Opening Exercise	10	Centering exercise that helps them experience with what their students will do in the school day (breathing or setting an intention)
What is SEL?	20	Overview of what SEL is and research on why beneficial for students
SEL at __________ School	15	How your school will be addressing SEL during school year
Breakout Room	50	Parents rotate through 5 stations that focus on each SEL competency and one activity they can do at home
Q & A	10	Bring parents back together to ask questions about what they have learned and experienced
Get Involved	5	Share future opportunities for how parents can stay involved
Closing Exercise	10	Another centering exercise to help families reflect on what they learned

Move the World: SEL Toolkit: Family Engagement

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Include Families in SEL Efforts

Planning, selection, implementation, and evaluation of SEL programming

Positive notes home to families about their student’s academic or SEL growth

SEL learning opportunities, family events, back-to-school night, etc.

Family newsletters include ways to practice SEL skills at home

Learn strategies that families are already using to support SEL

Family Partnership CASEL

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Continuous Improvement for Family Partnerships

Does the school have multiple avenues for ongoing two-way communication with families to support students' SEL development?

Do families participate on the SEL team?

Does the school provide meaningful opportunities for all families to learn more about and contribute to SEL in the school?

Family Partnership CASEL

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Listening Well and Communicating Effectively with Families

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Communicating Effectively with Families

Refrain form using acronyms without explanation
Listen to understand
Use open ended questions that encourage description
Promote empathetic understanding
Learn about students' and families' cultural norms that might affect communication

A Guide for Educators: Helping Families Engage in Their Children’s Learning 2019 Academic Development Institute

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Using Two-Way Communication� with Families

Be flexible and creative in communication about SEL.
Listen to families' stories and ideas about ways they are promoting SEL at home
Host informational question-and-answer sessions for families so they can better understand school wide SEL and any other school activities

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Schools can Support Families by Sharing and Modeling These Strategies

Supportive Families

Be a Good Listener

Encourage Questions

Alleviate Blame

Model Self-Care

Set Routines

Encourage Healthy Habits

Adapted from materials of the National Council for Behavioral Health

Then, Share these descriptions of each strategy in the slide:

“Families can model self-care – children look to the adults in their lives to set an example. Take care of yourself to show them how to take care of themselves.
Families can encourage healthy habits -provide healthy meals and opportunities for healthy sleep and exercise. Being physically healthy can help a child get through a psychological challenge
Families can set Routines – Trauma can make everything seem uncertain. Maintaining a routine can help your child know what to expect next.
Families can Encourage Questions – children are going to have questions after a traumatic event. Let them know it’s okay to ask
Families can Alleviate blame – kids are likely to blame themselves for whatever happened to or around them. Make sure they know that whatever happened was not their fault.
Be a Good Listener– practice good listening skills, let the child express themselves at their own speed and affirm that it’s good to talk about it.”

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Connecting Activity

IN BREAK OUT ROOMS please..

Share one way your district/school has or could engage families to inform and support the SEL development of students

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Aligning Around SEL Through Community Partnerships

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Types of Community Partnerships

Out of School Time Partnerships

Before School Programs
After School Programs

Service- Learning Partnerships

Museums
Libraries
Nonprofits
Cultural Organizations

Student Support Partnerships

Tutoring
Mentoring
Counseling Services
Mental/Behavioral Health Supports
Health Care

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Partnering with Community Organizations to Support SEL

Create community-based experiences for students

Link families with community resources and supports

Engage community organizations and supports

CASEL-Guide to School-wide SEL

Engage: Identify and reach out to organizations and advocacy groups that specialize in services and supports aligned with SEL, positive youth development, and/or students’ academic achievement and school success. Engage community partners to support the school’s understanding and delivery of supports for students.

Link: Identify community organizations, programs, or activities that support health, recreation, social support, and cultural sensitivity. Such as youth development, college preparation, mentoring, tutoring, mental health and counseling, food banks, and clothing providers. Keep an inventory (asset mapping) of assistance agencies available in the community and help families access them when needed.

Create: Connect with local organizations to identify service-learning activities for students. Reach out to organizations or businesses to schedule opportunities for student apprenticeships, jobs, and summer internships.

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How Community Partnerships Can Deepen SEL Skills

Participate in cross-age peer tutoring and self-directed activities

Interact with people of varying backgrounds, ages, concerns, and priorities

Contribute to the larger community

Gain mentorship from a caring adult

Adapted from “Community Partnerships” casel.org

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Coordinating SEL with Community Partners

Develop an Inventory of all Partnerships

Find Opportunities to Deepen SEL Alignment and Practice

Planning for Follow-Through

Adapted from “Community Partnerships” casel.org

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Continuous Improvement for Community Partnerships

Has the school developed strategic and aligned community partnerships to support school wide SEL?

Are the school and community partners familiar with one another’s approach to SEL?

Have the school and SEL-related community partners worked to align and integrate supports where possible?

Adapted from “Community Partnerships” casel.org

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Five Minute Brain Break

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Expanded Learning and SEL: Collaborating Across In-School and OST Contexts

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Things to Consider Regarding SEL within Expanded Learning

Most staff do not have degrees or credentials...but want to!
Do not have extensive training regrading SEL principles
Consider staff SEL needs

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Critical Elements of SEL in Expanded Learning

Classroom/Program Climate &

Practices

Supportive Climate
Explicit SEL Instruction
Integrating SEL with Instruction
Seeking and Utilizing Student Voice

Indicators of Schoolwide SEL Walkthrough Protocol

School Community

Youth Voice and Engagement
Supportive Climate
Sense of Community & Safety
Relationships

Staff & Youth
Staff
Youth

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Promote Extended Learning Partnerships with Intentionality

Include the training of extended learning staff in your SEL professional learning plans

Provide staff a combination of both SEL reasoning and strategies

Provide consistent messaging, programming and expectations

Share resources that they can guide their work

Indicators of Schoolwide SEL Walkthrough Protocol

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Critical Elements of SEL in Expanded Learning (Cont’d)

Focus on Adult SEL
Supportive Discipline
A Continuum of Supports
Authentic Family Partnerships
Aligned Community Partnerships
Systems for Continuous Improvement

Indicators of Schoolwide SEL Walkthrough Protocol

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Aligning In and Out of School Programming

Common Language

Procedures and Expectations

Reinforcing Lessons

CASEL-Guide to Schoolwide SEL

Alignment between school and OST partners around SEL may include using a shared language, aligning procedures and expectations, and reinforcing lessons. For example, if OST providers are using project-based learning, classroom teachers can use the same language and structures. Similarly, if peace areas are used during the school day, they can also be used during out-of-school time by employing the same routines and procedures that youth already know to follow. Tools and practices from evidence-based SEL programs can also be shared across settings. School day and OST partners can also align practices by leveraging the Three Signature Practices for SEL, which promote community building and deeper engagement. Consistency in how meetings, classroom lessons and programming are structured – beginning with a welcoming inclusion activity, facilitating engaging practices, and wrapping up the time with an optimistic closure – can be a powerful example of alignment

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Breakout Room Activity

Please discuss

How might your district or school site leverage family, community or expanded learning partnerships to build your students SEL competencies?

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SEL Strategies and Tips for Families

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Ways to Support Your Child’s Social Emotional Development

Specific steps you can take to nurture an emotionally intelligent child:

Be a good listener

Be interested and attentive
Listen patiently
Hear the child out
Listen to nonverbal messages

Model the behavior you seek

Treat others with respect and kindness
Apologize when you are in the wrong
Share how you are feeling (emotional literacy)
Show gratitude

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Ways to Support Your Child’s Social Emotional Development (continued)

Nurture your child’s self-esteem

Giving your child responsibilities, allowing them to make age appropriate choices, and showing your appreciation for a job well done.
Children should be supported through trial and error opportunities.

Respect differences

Resist the urge to compare your child to friends or siblings.
Honor your child's accomplishments and provide support and encouragement for the inevitable challenges they faces.

Take advantage of support services

Seek the advice and support of school counselors or other social services during times of family crisis, such as a divorce or the death of a close friend or family member.

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Self-Awareness

The ability to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts

The Feelings Wheel helps students identify their emotions and feelings to that they can cope with them so they can "name it to tame it".

Adapted from materials of casel.org

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Self-Management

The ability to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations

Generally, negative self-talk makes us feel worse, but positive self-talk can make us feel better because it triggers problem-solving and helps remind ourselves that making mistakes is part of life.

Panorama: A Guide to the Core SEL Competencies

Adapted from materials of casel.org

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Relationship Skills

The ability to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups

Communication, cooperation and conflict resolution are essential to healthy relationships in and out of home.

Reading and Relating

Discussion questions for your child/teen

How did the characters communicate with one another? How could the characters have communicated their needs?

What did the main character do when they needed help?

When did the characters work with each other well? When did they not?

What would you say to the main character if you could speak to them right now?

What strategies did the characters use to resolve conflicts?

Adapted from materials of casel.org

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Responsible Decision-Making

The ability to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations.

�

Look for opportunities to offer choices

Provide space and model reflection to think through concerns

Make problem-solving a family affair

Provide opportunities to understand and learn consequences

Adapted from materials of casel.org

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Social Awareness

The ability to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts

Empathy in Action is an activity that can be used when reading or watching television with your child to build empathy and perspective-taking skills through

Empathy in Action

Spend some time watching a show or movie. At any given time, pause and discuss how the characters are feeling. You might ask :

How are they feeling?
How would you feel if that happened to you?

Use this conversation to build on considering how others feel, discussing social cues, and caring about their emotions.

Adapted from materials of casel.org

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Practice Performing Random Acts of Kindness

www.randomactsofkindness.org

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Areas of SEL	Activities/Questions
Self Awareness The ability to accurately recognize one’s own emotions, thoughts, values, and how they influence behavior.	Read a shared book, magazine, or blog Keep a diary that you write together Create an “I can” box, with notes for each success Set goals and keep chart on child’s wall
Self Management The ability to successfully regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations.	How do you calm yourself? Brain breaks How can I say this differently? (mean words, fresh words, angry words) When you feel angry, what can you do so that you don’t explode?

Everyday Strategies

Adapted from materials of casel.org

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Everyday Strategies

Areas of SEL	Activities/Questions
Responsible Decision Making The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions.	How would you solve this problem? Why isn’t this a good plan? What would you do if..? Would this hurt anyone? Why did you.. Why didn’t you..?
Relationship Skills The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups.	How do people get along on the team? Why do you think that happened? Playing board games, taking turns, losing/winning & talking about it
Social Awareness The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.	Random acts of kindness at home, in the neighborhood, with friends How do you think he/she feels when..? How might you make friends with…?

Adapted from materials of casel.org

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Developmental Milestones by Age Group

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Early Childhood (3-8 years old)�

Display of a greater sense of empathy and morality
Establish and maintain positive relationships
Control of impulsive behaviors
Identify and manage emotions
Adopt resiliency
Function independently
Understand different viewpoints and opinions
Develop a sense of identity

Move the World: SEL Toolkit: Family Engagement

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Middle Childhood�(9-11 years old)

A refined sense of self
Strengthening cooperative skills
A deeper sense of independence and individuality
Development of communication skills
Appropriate behavior in social situations
Better handling of interpersonal conflicts
Responsibility of actions
Appropriate cyber behavior

Move the World: SEL Toolkit: Family Engagement

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Adolescence�(12-18 years old)

Established independence
Comfort with making own decisions
Increased self-assurance
Appropriate handling of issues within dating and relationships
Appropriate responses to conflicting and unexpected feelings and emotions
Self acceptance
Adjustment to a larger social world

Move the World: SEL Toolkit: Family Engagement

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Optimistic Closure

Please respond in the chat:�

How would you describe one key takeaway to a colleague to help you move this work forward?

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Review

Modeling Three

Signature Practices

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Office Hours

May 26 2:30-3:30

June 9 2:30-3:30

July 14 2:30-3:30

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99365181373