Equity & Access - Simsbury Public Schools

In the Simsbury Public Schools (SPS) an equitable system ensures that all members of our community can reach their full potential.

Encouraging words pledge

The Encouraging Words pledge, written by students spanning across grades K-12, embodies our Vision of a Graduate and articulates our shared vision for the school community.

Tarriffville Encouraging Words poster

The Gertrude Banks Gospel Choir uplifted attendees with their performance at the MLK Day in Simsbury event, held at First Church on MLK Day. The event's theme was "Encouraging Words."

Tarriffville Encouraging Words poster

Middle school students strengthened their connections and built community through a recent activity focused on recognizing the impact of jokes and choosing encouraging words to uplift one another.

Dr. Ku in front of Women of Innovation banner

Congratulations to Dr. Wendy Ku, who received the Academic Innovation & Leadership Award at the 2024 19th Annual Women of Innovation leadership event

UConn’s Summer Teachers Institute

From June 23–25, the trio joined K–12 educators from across the state at UConn’s Summer Teachers Institute, where they explored Connecticut’s new Social Studies standards, interdisciplinary frameworks, and strategies for designing inclusive, inquiry-based lesson plans that center underrepresented experiences and foster empathy and belonging for all learners.

From left to right: Tariffville and Squadron Line Art teacher Daniel Rosenthal-Baxter, Simsbury High School English teacher Michelle Henry, and Central School Art teacher Tara Harrison.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

What is SEL (CASEL)

SEL is the process through which we acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

Adapted from CASEL Social and Emotional Framework

Simsbury Public Schools uses the CASEL Social & Emotional Learning Framework. The framework is used to develop units for each of the CASEL 5 competencies (Self-Awareness, Self Management, Responsible Decision Making, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness). This framework takes a systemic approach that emphasizes the importance of establishing equitable learning environments that provide access to guaranteed experiences that embody our Vision of a Graduate.

Social-Emotional Learning

As we commence the 2024-2025 school year, we reaffirm our commitment to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Our goal is to cultivate a school environment in which every student feels a sense of belonging.

Our SEL initiatives are closely aligned with Simsbury Schools’ Vision of a Graduate. We will focus on developing the five core social competencies outlined by CASEL: self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, self-management, and responsible decision-making. These competencies will be taught and reinforced throughout the school year, specifically emphasizing one competency each month. To support this effort, we will utilize the Everyday Speech Social-Emotional Learning curriculum.

We value your partnership. To keep you informed, we will share the social-emotional competencies we are focusing on each month. You can find links to the overview for each grade level in the Everyday Speech tab.

We believe that student input is vital to our SEL efforts. We will continue to engage with our students, listening to their perspectives and providing guaranteed experiences that support their growth and success.

Updates and Information

Resources

February is Black History Month

Let's join our Black communities in celebration of their rich heritage and contributions to numerous fields like science, art, literature, history, music, and civil rights.

Illuminating Black History and Culture Through Art PD Playlist

The CSDE Illuminating Black History and Culture Through Art PD Playlist is a collection of existing and new resources for educators and their students to view, use and share to illuminate Black History, culture and arts to support understanding, teaching, and learning through the month and beyond. The PD Playlist is located in the Educator Learning Hub and provides alignment to the CSDE African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Course of Studies. Take time to understand how to intentionally honor Black History and Heritage in the classroom and throughout the school.

Resources for Teaching Black History Month (ct.gov)
Black History Month 2024
Black History Month Lessons & Resources | NEA
An Act Concerning the Inclusion of Black and Latino Studies in the Public School Curriculum | Connecticut Public Act No. 19-12 (serc.co)
CASEL Fundamentals
Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Town of Simsbury Social Services
Town of Simsbury DEI
RE-Center
Cultural Competence Continuum (link currently unavailable)
CT Parent Advocacy Center
Links to Literature

Professional Learning

Simsbury Public Schools provides a range of professional development opportunities for staff. Each session builds upon our commitment to ensure that all students have experiences that embody our Vision of a Graduate tenets. Professional learning is informed by standards, current research, and educational experiences.

Professional Learning Sessions

CASELs Five Competencies of Social Emotional Learning
Win-Win Scenarios
Increasing Engagement through Professional Learning Communities
Strategies to engage all learners

Glossary

Glossary of Terms

The following is an alphabetical list of terms that may appear in the Equity and Access section on our website.

Affinity Groups- groups connected by how they identify themselves such as the Minority Group, Gender Neutral Alliance, etc.
CASEL- The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning is a research-based national organization focusing on advancing the development of academic, social and emotional competence for all students.
Connect Period- high school period that takes place once a month where students engage in activities that connect them to the school and the Vision of a Graduate
Culturally Responsive Curriculum and Instruction- using pedagogy and materials that provide balance, representation, and an asset-based mindset to teaching and learning
Curriculum Work- referring to lesson planning, unit planning, aligning standards into instruction, selecting materials, providing recommendations for curriculum writing, scope and sequence
CREC- Capital Region Education Council, the partner for choice students participating in the open choice lottery program
Data Dives- using data analysis to identify root causes, questions to address, and strategies to use in order to improve student learning outcomes for all students
DEI- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, there is a group of DEI leaders across the state who collaborate, hold monthly meetings, attend conferences, and share resources
Equity- having a standard of quality or ideal for all, being just, impartial and fair
Equity Indicators- measures to track the experiences of equality and inclusion to proactively address barriers to access
Implicit Bias- attitudes toward people or associating stereotypes with them without our conscious knowledge
Listening Tours- meetings with students, staff, and parents to ask questions, hear concerns, identify barriers, and build rapport
MTSS- multi-tiered system of supports
Professional Learning Communities (PLC)- a team of educators who share ideas to enhance their teaching practice and create a learning environment where all students can reach their fullest potential.
Restorative Practices- an alternative to traditional disciplinary actions that center on punishment for misbehavior and breaking rules
Social-Emotional Learning- the process of developing self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills
Vertical Teams- a team of teachers and staff working together collaboratively across grade levels to improve student achievement

Equity in our Schools

Girls for Technology Gala

On December 8th, six high school students and four staff members attended the Girls For Technology Gala featuring Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American Woman to travel in space. Dr. Jemison shared her experiences as a trailblazer in a traditionally male-dominated field, offering real-world insights into the importance of inclusivity. The gala emphasized the vital role of diversity and inclusion in all industries.

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Everyday Speech

Below you will find links to Everyday Speech for each grade

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