SEL at BHS

Teachers sport their SEL gear each Day 6. There are many different styles for different seasons and years. All gear has the Choose Love Bucs logo.

SEL Takes on Burrell High School

Social Emotional Learning, also known as SEL, has proven itself to be a sufficient guide to all in Burrell High School. The students have been practicing many useful life skills SEL has taught such as gratitude, managing anger, and a positive mindset. For the last several years, each fourth period class on every Day 6 rotation takes class time to practice SEL. The school works on a reduced schedule to accommodate the time on this day. In these sessions, teachers instruct students on the weekly lesson, where they practice putting that into a positive mindset. Inspired by the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, Burrell has moved beyond just what the program teaches to include surveys and special activities which are targeted to best serve all the students at Burrell School District and speak to their individual needs. Not only the high school, but the entire district feels that the program is a very important part of the school environment. 

Mrs. Marissa Ameris was originally hired as a temporary employee, but because of the value it adds to the district, she has been hired this year to lead the SEL program, as well as serve as Burrell's Behavioral Specialist. She has been working with the school since the beginning of SEL, a long enough time to see the influence of SEL around the school, “I believe the changes that we see most often are related to the way people respond to issues that arise.” She further commented, “Again, this goes for both the adults as well as students. Previously responses to something that upset someone may have been immediate and impulsive, but we are seeing that shift.” Mrs. Ameris also explained that she loves the way SEL has taken students on a path for not just social emotional learning, but also academically. Mr. Rossi agreed that SEL is valuable on many levels of our students' educational lives, "Schools have done a reasonable job at educating the mind and body.  It is high time that we also educate the heart and soul. Indeed, if we wish to really and truly prepare the whole student for their future, to be a healthy, happy, contributing member of society, SEL needs to be part of each and every day here at BHS."  Many students also agree that it can be valuable for many students, "I think if you really open up to what is being taught and approach it with an open mind to what may seem irrelevant, you can find something valuable, especially for those in need," said Junior Andi Househoulder. Mrs. Ameris hopes to see SEL furthering in the future, and even spreading its positivity outside of the district. 

Gratitude in Burrell School District

As a district, we have been working on Gratitude: being grateful and recognizing gratitude in others. Mrs. Krista Pisano (Middle School), recently  "asked staff, students, and community members to share what they were grateful for at Burrell School District and we received numerous amazing responses." Below is the presentation she shared with the faculty and staff sharing the responses of gratitude from the Burrell staff and Lower Burrell community. This is just one example of how SEL can reach beyond the walls of Burrell School District.

Writing Contributor: Ally Rigatti

Video Contributor: Krista Pisano