Social Emotional Learning

9/5/25: Hello 7th grade parents!  We had a successful kick off to our RULER programming last Friday and look forward to diving into the first lesson this week.  In this unit, students will explore the importance of community, safety, and climate. Particularly, students will analyze the role their emotion education can play in creating and sustaining (as well as potentially diminishing and threatening) emotional safety within a community.   In addition to this programming, this Thursday during T.I., the 7th grade Boys will meet as the Lions’ Pride group.  The purpose of this group is to create a safe space where young men can work together and discuss issues that pertain specifically to boys. Over the school year, this group will meet every other week and learn skills such as tying a tie, ways to be a strong leader, cooking Ramen noodles, basic auto maintenance and other life skills.  During this same time, the girls will be meeting as the ROX group.  We are so excited to get these groups going and for a fun and educational time in these classes.  Please reach out to Rachel Maust at rmaust@lawrenceschool.org with any questions about the ROX group.  If you have any questions about SEL in the 7th grade, please reach out to jstarner@lawrenceschool.org  Thanks! 

9/5/25: Hello 8th grade parents!  Last Friday we held our first RULER class meetings and things got off to a great start as students learned what the RULER program is about.  This week students will begin lesson 1 in which they will learn about how both our emotions and the groups to which we belong influence our decision making. Then, they will analyze why we may make different decisions depending on our social company and what we feel when we are with them. Through team-building exercises and story analysis, students will analyze how groups with diverse emotional needs can work together to build a safe community.  We are excited to begin these lessons with the students.  In addition, this Thursday the students will take part in a lesson from the Kevin Love Fund curriculum.  Students will have KLF lessons every other Thursday during T.I. time.  The Kevin Love Fund works to inspire people to live their healthiest lives by creating equity between mental and physical health.  As an evidence-based organization, they focus on research, education and narrative change to break the stigma around mental health.  Some of the topics students will explore during this class time are:

• Understanding everyone is going through things we can’t see

• Emotions can bring about much needed change in the world

• Gratitude practice

• Understanding the narrative about yourself

• Building your support system

Thank you and if you have any questions about SEL in 8th grade, please reach out to jstarner@lawrenceschool.org  Thanks!