SLL Monthly Newsletter

This month we kick off our fifth unit, "Resolving Conflicts & Repairing Relationships":

• March 2 - 6: Resisting Negative Peer Pressure (Relationship Skills) - When our peers try to influence us it is called peer pressure. There are two types of peer pressure: positive and negative. Negative peer pressure is when someone tries to talk us into doing something that is not safe or respectful. We have the ability to be assertive and resist negative peer pressure.

• March 9 - 13: Understanding Problems & Conflicts (Responsible Decision-Making) - Problems and conflicts will come up when working with others. The first thing we need to do is stop and name the problem. It is important we think about various viewpoints and how others might feel about the problem.

• March 23 - 27: Review Week - We may want to use this Review Week to reteach any themes that are relevant to our students. It may also be a good time to review strategies for working through emotions. For example, breathing strategies, positive self-talk, maintaining routines and healthy behaviors, etc.

SDPBC educators can find lessons and resources to support these SLL Themes on our SLL Resource Center under the "Elementary", "Middle School", and "High School" tab. To access the SLL Resource Center, log in to your District portal and search "SLL". Click on the SLL Heart Tile.

Unit 5 SLL Extension Ideas

Here is a menu of options of possible ways to extend SLL themes that are being explicitly taught from Unit 5 throughout the school day so students have the opportunity to apply and/or reflect on these skills. Please keep in mind that this list is not grade level specific so it is important that you select ideas (or adapt ideas) that are developmentally appropriate and align to your grade level standards and expectations.

Unit 5 Family & Caregiver Letters for Elementary

The letters below were designed to support schools with communicating about our SLL themes from Unit 5 with families and caregivers. The letter provides families and caregivers with information about the themes that are being addressed in this unit. Then, for each theme, it provides possible ideas for discussion questions and family activities to reinforce these life skills at home.

• English Letter

• Spanish Letter

• Haitian Creole Letter

• Portuguese Letter

Unit 5 High School SLL Ideas

• How Peer Pressure Affects All Ages

• 5 Conflict Resolution Strategies Every Leader Should Know

• Emotion Regulation is the Linchpin for Mental Health

SLL Signature Practice Ideas for Middle School

These prompts and activities can be used as Welcoming Rituals, Engaging Practices, and/or Optimistic Closures. The SLL explicit instruction lesson for every theme will be linked each week. Please note that YouTube links may have ads on them so you should have the video cued up to go so students don’t view the ads.

Elementary Book of the Quarter: When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left

Our fourth book of the quarter is When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left by Marc Cologiovanni and Peter H. Reynolds. This picture book illustrates how readers can build their confidence by showing them they have the power to direct their own path without letting their worries, doubts, fears, and frustrations get the best of them. Click here for read aloud ideas, classroom extension activities, school-wide announcement ideas and activities, and more.

Resilience Through Connection: Empowering Schools with Empathy, Unity and Wellness. Registration is open for the 12th Annual Student Mental Health and Wellness Conference. Scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2026 from 8 AM to 3:30 PM at Park Vista Community High School, this in-person, full-day conference will feature:

• Keynote Featuring the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee: Future-Ready and Student-Led: SSAC Perspectives on Connection, Wellness, and Resilient School Culture

• Break-out Sessions, and

• District and Community Resource Fair.

Registration is required via eLearning Management, keyword Student Mental Health. Registered attendees will learn information and strategies supporting student and staff resiliency, well-being, and mental health. Lite refreshments will be provided in the morning and food trucks will be available for lunch purchases.

For information and updates, access the conference website.

For questions, contact Dr. Michael Kane, Manager in the Department of Behavioral and Mental Health.