Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning at Maple Grove Elementary
At Maple Grove, we use the following programs and practices school-wide to support SEL:
- Energy Bus Schools Leadership Program
- You're the Driver
- Create a Positive Vision
- Drive with Purpose
- Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy
- Transform Negativity
- Love Your Passengers
- Enjoy the Ride!
- Second Step curriculum school wide
- Growth Mindset
- Emotion Management
- Empathy
- Problem Solving
- Restorative Practices
Energy Bus
At Maple Grove our school community is grounded in common language to create a safe, positive, and productive learning environment for all children. The following Energy Bus Principles anchor our behavioral expectations:
Second Step
Second Step is taught in every classroom biweekly. The lessons provide instruction in social and emotional learning with units on:
- Growth Mindset
- Emotions Management
- Empathy and Kindness
- Problem Solving
The resources below provide information about each unit to help reinforce the child's learning at home. Visit Second Step for more information.
We also utilize and infuse a variety of mindfulness practices and strategies to help students develop their toolbox in order to practice emotions management.
Restorative Practices
Maple Grove has been working towards using Restorative Practices and Proactive Circles throughout the school year.
- What is a Restorative Practice (RP)?
- Restorative practices is a term used to describe a relationship-oriented approach (rather than a punishment-oriented one) to resolving issues that arise in school.
- The five Rs of RPs are relationship, respect, responsibility, repair, and reintegration.
- Proactive Circles happen weekly in the classroom for the purpose of connection and belonging (usually a question with a brief answer where everyone participates).
- Responsive Circles happen as needed in classrooms to address incidents that may cause harm (bullying, playground conflict or unsafe behavior) or denote a change in the community (new student or a student’s last day).
- Informal Conferences are used to talk to an individual or small group about an issue (student-teacher conflict, habitual tardies, etc.) using four questions to reflect on effects of the behavior:
- What happened?
- Who did it affect?
- What might you have done differently?
- What is a solution so it doesn’t happen again?
- Preconferences are fact-finding reviews of the four questions with each individual in conflict prior to determining whether to put them together in a formal RP Conference
- RP conferences are used for two people in conflict or a reintegration of a student who has been suspended that results in a signed, mutually-agreeable and student-generated solution.
How can you support your student at home?
- Use the four questions when helping your student to problem solve through a conflict they have at home.
Additional Supports
For students who need extended social emotional instruction and skills, we use a variety of resources including:
Resources
- Jefferson Center: a nonprofit, community-focused mental health care and substance use services provider.
- Colorado Crisis Services: provides free, confidential and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists 24/7/365 by calling 844-493-TALK (8255) or texting TALK to 38255. Colorado residents can also seek services in-person at our walk-in centers, regardless of ability to pay.
- Safe2Tell: takes reports any time, any day of the year from students or other community members who are concerned about their safety or the safety of others.
- Call 211: the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country. Speak with a live, highly-trained service professional in your area. All calls are confidential.
Jefferson County Family Resources
- Child Care Assistance: 303-271-4484
- The Action Center (food and housing): 303-237-7704
- Family Tree (emergency shelter for women and children in crisis): 303-467-2604
- Jefferson County Juvenile Assessment Center: 720-497-7799
- Jeffco Suicide Prevention
- Wheat Ridge Resources
Social Emotional Learning in Jeffco
Jeffco Public Schools creates and maintains a positive climate and culture in schools that is inclusive and safe for students, families and staff. With a commitment to empowering successful and productive citizens, the district supports the growth of students through leveled, evidence-based implementation of social emotional learning programming.
What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which students and adults gain and apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to deal effectively with daily tasks and challenges.
Jeffco has adopted the five core competencies of SEL outlined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL).
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making (CASEL, 2020)
SEL happens in safe and supportive school, family and community environments that support development and provide opportunities and recognition for successfully applying skills.