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District to Celebrate International SEL Day on March 26
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Aldine ISD is not only focused on strong academics but also strong mindsets.
Aldine ISD invites school and district administrators, school board Trustees, community partners, and families to celebrate International Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day on March 26, 2021. This year marks the district’s first time to participate in #SELday.
In August 2020, Aldine ISD shared how it is focused on social-emotional learning (SEL) for the 2020-2021 school year. The emphasis is on students and the nets or systems that impact or affect the student, such as building relationships to shift schools’ culture, which is the centerpiece of SEL.
A large part of the work entails training staff and campus leaders, creating approaches, and analyzing their effectiveness. It also means building resources to cultivate vibrant school cultures.
“Every school leader wants to provide learning environments that live up to the district’s mission and vision,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “The focus on SEL ensures that staff members are truly living Aldine ISD’s mission and vision. School is more than teaching the three R’s (reading, writing and arithmetic). It’s a place that serves to support the whole student’s growth. The mind, body, and heart are just as important if not critical to helping students’ academic growth and better handling of life’s challenges and stresses. These skills are essential to succeed in school, college, and work.”
Dr. Lorenzo Moore, executive director of the SEL Department, stated that “every positive word and action matters.” SEL is a process that many students and adults learn to use in their everyday lives. He added that studies show that schools that embrace SEL see increases in students’ academic achievement and positive social behavior. They also see a reduction in conduct problems, emotional distress, and substance abuse.
Be the Energy You Want to Attract
“Positivity attracts positivity,” added Moore. “School culture includes educators’ attitudes toward students. Positivity affects attitudes toward spending time to improve instruction. Positive school culture should be felt and seen as soon as anyone enters the building. It’s evident on the walls, in the students and staff, and every classroom. School culture increases school pride and community engagement.”
Families are a big part of the effort. Students learn through modeling behavior. Communication between the school and families is beneficial in giving students the guidance they need.
Why Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
“No matter how good the curriculum, the professional development, the technology, none of it matters unless a kid shows up ready, willing, and able to absorb great inputs that we in the educational community have.”
— Karen Niemi, President and CEO, CASEL
What are a few skills students learn?
Respect: Students learn how to have healthy, respectful relationships. Students — and their families — receive guidance on respectful conflict resolution. They also learn to respect differences as well as building their self-esteem.
Other skills include:
- Courage
- Gratitude
- Compassion
- Empathy
- Honesty
- Trust
- Perseverance
- Citizenship
- Responsibility (Being accountable for your actions and decisions.)
- Self-Discipline
- And much more!
“Schools and families must work together on shared behavioral expectations and language for social and emotional skills. When schools have a shared language and common understanding of expectations, the entire school community thrives,” Chief of Schools Katy Roede said.
How can you celebrate #SEL Day?
- Recognize school staff successes.
- Recognize your children’s/students’ awesomeness (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports or PBIS)
- Share your commitment to SEL and raise awareness of the positive impacts associated with quality SEL programming.
Be sure to share on social media using #SELday and #AldineAnywhere so we can follow.
Join the movement to support social-emotional learning!
Why Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
“SEL makes kids feel safer, more willing to take risks, more willing to form meaningful relationships, all of which are shown to have a huge difference in people’s growth.”
— Steve Arnold, Board Vice-Chair, CASEL
About the Author: Leticia Fehling
