Social-Emotional 

This section explores promising strategies aimed at supporting the social-emotional well-being of SLIFE. It underscores the importance of creating a sense of belonging and inclusivity by considering the diverse cultural, linguistic, and experiential backgrounds of students and acknowledging the challenges they encounter during their transition into Massachusetts schools. SLIFE have often experienced difficult circumstances and trauma. Some of these experiences may lead to a need for individualized clinical care from therapists and other professionals beyond the school, while others may be addressed through regular social-emotional learning (SEL) activities integrated into the curriculum and services that may be provided by the school. 

MA DESE Tools

• Wraparound Support

  • Source: MA DESE, 2024 Massachusetts Guidance for SLIFE Identification, Services, and Support

  • Description: This tool provides a way for schools and districts to plan and coordinate a variety of wraparound supports for students identified as SLIFE.

• Student Orientation Plan

  • Source: MA DESE, 2024 Massachusetts Guidance for SLIFE Identification, Services, and Support

  • Description: This form provides a guide for planning an orientation process that introduces, welcomes, and supports students identified as SLIFE and families/caregivers entering the school.

Other Tools & Resources

• 8 Principles to Build Community with SIFE

  • Source: NYC Public Schools Division of Multilingual Learners Instructional Resources & Professional Learning

  • Description: This is a resource provides an overview of eight principles educators, schools, and districts can use to create supportive learning communities for SLIFE.

• Exploring Perceptions About Identity Through Self-Portraits

  • Source: Edutopia (cited by SupportEd in SLIFE Module #1)

  • Description: Video about a classroom activity "Identity Portraits" that teachers can use to help students learn about each other's identities, help them understand their own biases and prejudices, and build a strong classroom community. 

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network

  • Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network

  • Description: This website has resources related to psychological first aid and supporting displaced children and families as well as many resources on refugee trauma.

• Newcomer Toolkit Chapter 3: Supporting Newcomers' Social, Emotional, & Mental Health Needs

  • Source: NCELA, U.S. Department of Education

  • Description: This chapter of the Newcomer Toolkit focuses on social, emotional, and mental health for newcomer students and their families. 

• Refugee & Immigrant Core Stressors Toolkit 

  • Source: Boston Children's Hospital Trauma and Community Resilience Center

  • Description: This toolkit will provide you with information about four core stressors that refugees and immigrants may face and sample questions to guide your assessment. These sample questions are not intended as a substitute for clinical judgment. The Boston Children’s Hospital Trauma and Community Resilience Center (TCRC) is dedicated to understanding and promoting the healthy adjustment of youth and families who have experienced trauma and adversity.  Their website provides a variety of resources for supporting immigrant and refugee youth.

• STRONG for Schools school-based intervention curriculum 

  • Source: Supporting Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG)

  • Description: Supporting Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG) is an evidence-informed, school-based intervention for immigrant and refugee youth (K-12th grades).  STRONG aims to build resilience and address psychological distress associated with the newcomer experience from a culturally contextualized lens. STRONG is delivered by school mental health clinicians and is comprised of 10 group sessions, one individual student session, and teacher and parent education sessions. Elementary and Secondary versions are available. STRONG is currently being implemented in schools throughout Canada and the United States. All materials are available free of cost via the website in multiple languages. 

• Social Emotional Learning Framework: Essential Actions to Achieve Equity for Multilingual Learners

  • Source: SupportEd

  • Description: This framework is a resource for schools and educators to apply a multilingual learner lens to CASEL's five core social and emotional competencies. This tool is useful for educators who serve all multilingual learners, including SLIFE.

• Social Emotional Learning Look-fors and Planning Tool for MLs

  • Source: SupportEd

  • Description: This is a resource for teachers to think about how they are planning to incorporate culturally and linguistically responsive social-emotional learning into their classrooms for multilingual learners, including SLIFE.

• What I Want My Teacher to Know About Me

  • Source: SupportEd

  • Description: Free template for students, to share what they would like their teachers to know about them, how they feel about English in different language domains, and goals that they have for themselves.