SEL Newsletter
September 2024
Embedded Files
This SEL Newsletter is compiled by the Social Emotional Learning and Restorative Practices Department of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
A Word of Welcome
A Word of Welcome
September is upon us and the school year is in full swing. An early start has created a different feel for the 2024-2025 school year, but everyone is in motion and ready to learn, grow, and connect. As educators, this season can feel incredibly busy as we try to keep beginning-of-the-year energy rolling us forward. It can be a time to enjoy new people, new ideas, and new goals, but it can also be a time of stress and hustle. Wherever you find yourself in this season, professionally or personally, we hope you can find moments of connection and self-reflection. Please know that our Social Emotional Learning and Restorative Practices Department is here to support you!
In our newsletters, we will feature an SEL resource, idea, or practice that you can integrate into your work or classroom settings. We are excited to continue to learn and grow with you. Thank you for being partners in growing SEL in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
These EC Coaches (Autism, Transition, and Instruction), led by Meredith Holmes, engaged in a Self-Awareness activity together as they explored their Core Values. We love seeing Central Office leaders and educators practicing Adult SEL!
The SEL Team partnered with the Student Services Team at Old Town Elementary School to lead an SEL Fair for all K-5 students. There were 5 stations to reflect the 5 SEL competencies. Students and staff alike had a great time! Read more in our "SEL In Action" section below.
Table of Contents
Newsletter Feature:
Newsletter Feature:
SEL 3 Signature Practices
SEL 3 Signature Practices
September kicks off our SEL 3 Signature Practices Campaign in WS/FCS! We encourage you to learn more about these important practices and use them regularly in your adult and classroom settings. The 3 Signature Practices are a great way to bring SEL to life in our work and school communities. Tag us on X (@wsfcssel) to share a Signature Practice in action!
What does SEL look like? How can we start doing SEL right now?
The SEL 3 Signature Practices -- Inclusive Welcome, Engaging Strategies, and Intentional Close -- help foster connection, purpose, and deeper learning. These practices are beneficial for adults and students.
Why use the SEL 3 Signature Practices? Because they are research-based strategies for building SEL and a positive culture and climate.
What are the SEL 3 Signature Practices Signature Practices? Use this graphic as a reference.
Here are some of our team's favorite 3 Signature Practices activities.
We will share new ideas each month!
3 Signature Practices Resources
3 Signature Practices Resources
Bookmark these links and refer to the 3 Signature Practices often. Make these practices a foundational and consistent part of your meetings, presentations, and lessons. Together, we can grow SEL in WS/FCS.
Join the movement!
SEL Curriculum Corner
SEL Curriculum Corner
As a district, we are in our third year of SEL Curriculum implementation and our schools are rocking and rolling! Elementary students utilize Second Step, and secondary students utilize Wayfinder. All students have access to weekly SEL lessons, to build and practice their SEL skills and to foster positive relationships with their teacher and peers. Refer to this graphic for district requirements and best practices. Click here for more information on why SEL Curriculum supports student well-being as well as academic achievement.
SEL Curriculum Kick Off was the 3rd week of school (last week of August). Weekly lessons should be in motion on your campus.
If your school still needs support getting started, please reach out to your SEL Coach ASAP!
Use Second Step to build skills and positive relationships at the start of the year! The goal-setting and growth mindset unit is a great way to instill future-ready skills, as individuals and as a class.
Elementary:
Elementary:
Second Step Kick Off
Second Step Kick Off
Second Step includes 20 lessons (4 units of 5 lessons each). The lessons include Brain Builders, scenarios, videos, reflection questions, and performance tasks. The 20 lessons should be evenly paced throughout the school year. Check out a sample Second Step calendar here.
Here are the 4 units of Second Step:
Unit 1: Goal-setting and Growth Mindset
Unit 2: Emotion Regulation
Unit 3: Empathy and Kindness
Unit 4: Problem-Solving
Teachers can reinforce these lessons through extension activities and booklists (K-2 & 3-5) to keep SEL front and center throughout the week. Reach out to your SEL Coach for support with lesson schedules and lesson delivery!
Wayfinder kicks off the year with meaningful "get to know you" activities, as well as setting classroom agreements so everyone feels safe and supported.
Secondary: Wayfinder Kick Off
Secondary: Wayfinder Kick Off
Wayfinder is an SEL Curriculum built for secondary students. The 6th-9th grade curriculum is centered on "Belonging" and the 10th-12th grade curriculum is centered on "Purpose." There are 26 lessons per grade level and they should be evenly paced throughout the year. Each lesson utilizes the 3 Signature Practices, and allows students opportunities to reflect and connect.
Here are two sample Scope and Sequence for Wayfinder:
Wayfinder is an incredibly rich resource. Use the filters in the Wayfinder Activity Library to help build SEL skills in your academic content. The Collections also allow you to search for activities based on a certain theme. We hope educators can enhance weekly lessons by weaving SEL into their daily classroom practice!
SEL In Action:
SEL In Action:
SEL Fair at Old Town Elementary
SEL Fair at Old Town Elementary
The District Learning Supports Team partnered with the Student Services Team at Old Town Elementary to host an SEL Fair for all K-5 students. There were 5 stations, one for each competency. All activities were selected from the SEL 3 Signature Practices Playbook for the Classroom. Students were at stations for 6 minutes at a time. Teachers accompanied students to the stations and also participated in the activities. They received copies of the Playbook activities so they can try them in their own classrooms. The day was full of engagement, excitement, and fun! Students and staff alike had a great day and learned a lot.
SEL Fairs are a great way to engage the students and staff at your school! We encourage schools to create their own SEL Fair for their school. Reach out to your SEL Coach if you want to find out more about making an SEL Fair happen on your campus!
SEL Champion Shoutout!
SEL Champion Shoutout!
A huge shoutout to Ali Esparza, school counselor and SEL Lead at Old Town Elementary, who helped bring the SEL Fair to life for her school! Ali collaborated with her SEL Coach, Logan Macon, to schedule, plan, and carry out this meaningful day for staff and students alike. We also loved her idea to keep teachers involved so that they could gain new ideas and activities to bring back to the classroom. Thank you, Ali, for being an SEL rockstar!
Integrating SEL for Academic Success
Integrating SEL for Academic Success
Professional Learning with the SEL Team
The SEL team led a professional learning session on August 6th during PD day at four different locations. The focus was on integrating SEL into academic content, with the essential question:
How can we foster SEL and Durable Skills in the content that we already teach?
Teachers explored the 3 Signature Practices and selected SEL activities that aligned with and enhanced their academic standards. Feedback from teachers on our PD survey was overwhelmingly positive; they found the session meaningful and filled with content they can actually apply and use. It was a fun and engaging day!
Please reach out to the SEL team if you are interested in recreating this professional learning opportunity for your staff (30-60 minutes).
SEL Lead Kick-Off Meeting
SEL Lead Kick-Off Meeting
September 9, 2024
We held our first in-person SEL Lead Meeting on September 9 at the Education Building. 50 SEL Leads from across the county joined us for this afternoon of connecting, learning, and advocacy! We also had two of our SEL Leads facilitate the Inclusive Welcome and Intentional Close. Our SEL Leads serve a vital role in the establishment and growth of systemic SEL.
They are true SEL Champions and we are so thankful to collaborate with these school-based leaders! This year, we will do a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. The next SEL Lead meetings are:
Monday, November 18th: 9:30-11 AM (Virtual)
Monday, January 13: 2-4 PM (In-Person)
Monday, March 3: 9:30-11 (Virtual)
Monday, April 28: 2-4 PM (Virtual)
Fall Survey: October 14-November 4
Fall Survey: October 14-November 4
The Fall Panorama Survey is around the corner. Make sure to establish a plan for how you will engage students, staff, and families with this valuable climate and well-being survey.
The SEL Team will be sharing more information with SEL Leads later this month!
SELebrations!
SELebrations!
Check out these highlights of awesome SEL work going on in WS/FCS!
North Area
Middle school students at Paisley Magnet Academy are building connections with their peers and teacher through their weekly Wayfinder lessons. Explicit SEL instruction is crucial for secondary students as well!
South Area
Eva Bishop, school counselor at Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy, led a Wayfinder activity as an inclusive welcome for the staff. This not only helped staff members connect with one another but also demonstrated how Wayfinder serves as a valuable resource for meaningful SEL activities.
East Area
Open House delays did little to affect the strong turnout and support from families bringing their children and supplies to Union Cross Elementary School. Authentic family partnerships are a key schoolwide indicator of SEL!
West Area
This 3rd-grade class at Bolton Elementary is off to a great start with their weekly Second Step lessons. This week, they're focusing on the brain science behind habit formation and the importance of practice. Thank you, Bolton, for prioritizing SEL instruction!
Closing Thoughts
Closing Thoughts
The beginning of the year is an opportunity to set goals, plant seeds, and take steps forward. Growth is not a destination; it is a journey. We hope you have gained ideas, resources, and practices for how you can foster SEL as an individual, with your colleagues, with your family, and with those you serve.
Adult SEL matters! Thank you for learning with us today and every day. It is an honor to serve and support you. We appreciate all that you do for your staff, students, and communities.
Thank you from the SEL Team!
Thank you from the SEL Team!
We look forward to kicking off the 2024-2025 school year strong with you! Thank you for all you do!
Questions?
Questions?
Visit the SEL and Restorative Practices Department website for more information and resources.
Page updated
Report abuse