Even before COVID-19 dramatically changed the context of teaching and learning across the country, there was a growing consensus in education that schools can and should attend to students’ social-emotional development. The social-emotional learning skills or the five core social-emotional competencies, as identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) are the foundations for young people's well-being: self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Learning does not happen without social connection. We recognize that in light of the social disconnections that have occurred in the wake of COVID-19, learning cannot occur without first addressing the social-emotional needs of our students, teachers and families. Furthermore, we recognize that to attend to these social emotional learning needs, we must provide the necessary support and resources to all district stakeholders to build a community of collective understanding of how we can attend to students as well as each other.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) will be at the forefront as we support students, staff and families throughout the transition back to school. The comprehensive counseling plan advisory council will continue to meet during the 2020 -2021 school year. Meetings will be scheduled for August, October and April to review data and update the existing 2020-2021 plan that was approved at the June 2020 Board of Education Meeting. Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed.

Check-ins will occur regularly for students and support offered as needed.. Existing data will also be reviewed by the counseling plan advisory council. Tier 1, 2 and 3 levels of involvement will be determined from this data and interventions will be developed based on individual student needs. The advisory council will communicate with building core teams to share implementation recommendations.

Knowing that personal connection with an adult is a protective factor for students, our plan connects all students to an advisor for the 2020-20201 school year. Advisors will check and connect with students on a regular basis. Advisors may reach out to mental health staff to connect high risk students with additional services.

It is our goal to make the rooms feel comfortable and welcoming within the confines of Department of Health guidelines while also normalizing behaviors that aren’t normal. Classroom routines for using materials for learning will be adjusted to align with the guidelines as well. Students will learn how to be social while social distancing for example, having conversations at lunch while maintaining a 6 foot distance. In a hybrid or full off campus scenario, students will be encouraged to set up a personal learning environment to optimize learning from home.

Virtual Sessions for Families will be provided to educate parents about the use of check in strategies such as Fist to Five, Circles and other screening tools for mental health. The available resources and process for referrals will be reviewed.

All staff are trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aiders consider their role when responding to individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis and assist with a referral to the appropriate mental health professional when needed.