SEL IN ACTION

Brené Brown shared that, “Trust is earned in the smallest of moments. It is earned not through heroic deeds, or even highly visible actions, but through paying attention, listening, and gestures of genuine care and connection.” As we move into colder months and COVID-19 is still part of our daily lives, it’s valuable to remind ourselves that positive relationships are built little by little over time, especially through small acts of care and connection.

When we really take the time to stop and listen to our students, bring coffee for a teammate, and reach out to loved ones simply to check on them and say “I love you”, we build strong foundations for navigating uncertainty and create a deeper understanding that each of us is an important part of the fabric of our communities, families, and workplace teams. Not only is it important to continue nurturing existing relationships, but also to practice these efforts to cultivate new relationships, and strengthen those that need a boost.

Prioritizing healthy relationship building practices as part of the culture of a school or department fosters a sense of belonging for everyone. In this way, the campus or office then becomes a second home where people want to engage. For additional suggestions around intentional relationship building, reach out to your SEL coordinator for training and resources, or visit the SEL Department's website at Dallasisd.org/SEL. Let’s remember to be kind to ourselves and each other while staying focused on the positive relationship “investments” that we can make every day.

- Shannon Trejo,

Chief Academic Officer, Teaching & Learning

Practices that build healthy relationships are foundational to creating a positive, safe, and welcoming environment. At a campus that prioritizes SEL, evidence of healthy relationships is apparent at the front steps to the school as students are warmly greeted by name. In the classroom, students learn specific skills centered around the 5 CASEL Competencies (Dallas ISD SEL Competencies) and practice these skills during Morning Meeting and throughout the day as these skills are integrated into the learning. Students learn and practice how to communicate clearly with others, are socially engaged while working in teams and collaborating during classwork, whether the learning occurs virtually or in a face-to-face environment.

The RAND Corporation and The Wallace Foundation recently published findings from the first two years of the Partnerships for Social and Emotional Learning Initiative, a multiyear Wallace-supported effort exploring whether and how children can benefit from partnerships between schools and out-of-school-time (OST) programs focused on building social and emotional skills.

Dallas is one of the PSELI grant community sites, and we're excited to share this report widely while continuing to refine our SEL practices in Dallas! Review the full report,

Early Lessons from Schools and Out-of-School Time Programs Implementing Social and Emotional Learning, on their website!

Our SEL team will offer multiple online training sessions (via Zoom) throughout November for Dallas ISD staff members to learn more about key SEL practices.

Check out our Fall 2020 online training flyer with session options and remember to register in Cornerstone!

TEA has launched Project Restore and this trauma-informed training video series, which is designed to address these extraordinary and unprecedented needs and connect you to relevant science and strategies that can help you address your own emotional needs as well the needs of your students and colleagues. This series will help educators create an environment that jump starts teaching and learning and drives student achievement.

The SEL Team encourages all staff to practice self-care in preparation for the new school year and as a way of dealing with stress. All Dallas ISD staff members are invited to participate in free weekly 60-minute virtual mindfulness and emotional intelligence sessions provided by Mastermind. Join us every Wednesday at 7:00 pm, beginning August 26th - December 16th.

• Register here to join the class. We are excited to share this transformative practice with you!

Feel free to share any SEL family resources below through campus communication like newsletters, classroom reminders / websites, and other announcements or information for parents and caregivers!

As part of the SEL Dallas partnership, join Dallas ISD’s SEL Department for a series of 1-hour family-focused virtual sessions to learn about social and emotional learning (SEL) and important SEL skills. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join any session or the entire series, and a Spanish translator will be available!

Our first session, Introduction to SEL, will happen via Zoom next Wednesday, Nov. 18th from 4:30-5:30PM. Remember to register with our English registration form or our Spanish registration form.

All parents want positive, healthy, long-lasting relationships for their children. How we talk to our children changes over time but, there are conversations that are important no matter the age of the child. To help build the foundation and the development of this skillset at home, have conversations with your child, at an early age, and equip them as they become teens and young adults to form their own relationships. Visit the following link for some expert advice and key points to help guide your journey every step of the way, from pre-kindergarten to college.

"Inequities based on race, ethnicity, class, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other factors are deeply ingrained ...and impact young people and adult social, emotional, and academic learning." SEL will not solve longstanding inequities, however, it serves as a platform to examine policies and practices to create a more inclusive environment for all people. Below are resources that will assist in discussing sometimes difficult topics with your children as you encourage them to develop self-respect and respect and empathy for others; while acknowledging and celebrating the strengths of people from all cultures, religions, gender, age, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds.

Words can either heal or hurt, change minds or harden hearts, move people to action or move to tears. We all develop beliefs about ourselves based on our environment, the people closest to us, and the messages we receive. Our brain interprets and internalizes positive and negative words more profoundly and longer. Starting when children are young, the way we interact with them helps shape how they respond to us and to other people in their lives. Much more so than positive words and experiences. With the day-to-day pressures families face, it can be easy to lose sight of what children are doing well, and consequently, children may hear more criticism rather than praise. Visit the following articles and videos to learn more about building a more positive inner voice in your child.

Video - 1 min. - Kim DeMarchi, MEd, CPE

Morning meetings usually take place at school and set the stage for connection, collaboration with an emphasis on social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. However, having a morning meeting is not exclusively a strategy for schools. Participating in a Morning Meeting or "check-in" at home is a great way to start the day off on the right foot. Work nontraditional hours? Do an evening check-in. It doesn't matter when you visit with your child, just taking the time lets your child know they are loved. This activity will also help them learn to trust the adults in their lives, as well as help them manage emotions and challenges. Like most any other skill, the more you practice having healthy conversations the better you'll get at it. Use the following resources to guide the conversation in your family

Article - Very Well Family

If you are a parent or caregiver looking to support your child's social and emotional learning (SEL) skills, we are here to help! Our upcoming family-focused SEL newsletter will be packed with tips, ideas, and curated SEL resources that engage, inform, and inspire.

Parents and caregivers can submit their contact information via our sign-up form. We also have a Spanish version of the sign-up form as well!

Please share both language versions widely with any parents who may be interested in signing up for our family-focused newsletter!

SEL Dallas is a partnership among Dallas ISD, Big Thought, Dallas Afterschool, and the Dallas Park & Recreation Department to align in- and out of school time SEL practices at seven Dallas ISD elementary schools. This initiative is made possible by the Partnerships for Social and Emotional Learning Initiative (PSELI) grant, funded by The Wallace Foundation.

View our recent SEL Dallas October newsletter to learn more!

Email: SEL@dallasisd.org
Website: Dallasisd.org/sel
Location: 9400 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-925-8951
Twitter: @DallasisdSEL