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 in Elementary Schools
As we start the 2022-2023 school year we will continue our commitment to social-emotional learning (SEL) in order to make all of our elementary schools great places to grow. All of our work is grounded in Simsbury School’s Vision of a Graduate and focuses on developing CASEL’s 5 social competencies: self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, self-management and responsible decision-making. We will teach and positively reinforce all 5 competencies over the course of the school year with a particular emphasis on a specific competency each month. These competencies are taught through a combination of explicit teaching during the school day and integrated into the school day as the curriculum provides. These competencies support our existing character education programs; we are confident that as students develop these core competencies they will truly begin to succeed.
Social-Emotional Learning at Henry James
All students at HJ attend a wellness class. Through a variety of different units, students receive instruction that focuses on the core concepts of accessing health information, self-management of healthy behaviors, analyzing internal and external influences, communication skills, decision-making, goal setting, and advocacy. Students receive essential information and skills to make decisions that pertain to their physical, social, emotional, and mental health. In addition, students participate in lifetime fitness and team-related activities that encourage the HJ Way, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Students are given opportunities to build and expand their skill set to create the foundation for becoming lifelong healthy and active individuals.
Social-Emotional Learning at Simsbury High School
All students at SHS attend Connect periods. Through a variety of experiences during Connect, students exemplify the Trojan Code; We will be respectful, honorable, and responsible. Activities center around the CASEL competencies aligned to our Vision of a Graduate tenets. Students have opportunities to practice and demonstrate the skills during Connect periods and in all content areas. The focus for each month is as follows;
- August and September- Trojan Code
• Relationships and Expectations
- October and November- Self Awareness
- December- Self Management
- January and February- Self Awareness
- March and May- Relationships
- Connect 10.27.22 - Self-Awareness (video)