Social Emotional Learning
July 13, 2023
Click or tap the image below to see the video, or follow this link: 2023 SEL Symposium Highlights
 Every year the Urban Assembly brings together SEL practitioners from around the world to learn about the latest developments in social emotional teaching practices. Our own Debra Parker, Social Emotional Project Supervisor, was able to attend the sixth annual SEL Symposium last month, with our colleagues in Student Engagement and Support and Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP). This video shows some highlights of the symposium, including student panelists and keynote speaker Zaretta Hammond!
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6926629/SEL-Advisory-Committee-Member-ApplicationWant to make a difference in Social Emotional Learning in Washington? The SEL Advisory Committee is accepting applications for new members to fill vacant seats.
We would love for you to apply if you have the following:
- A passion for helping our students and for social emotional learning
- You have the time and capacity to fill the position for a year (The Advisory Committee’s 2023–2024 schedule is in the application.)
If you apply for a seat that is currently filled, we are happy to hold applications to fill future vacancies.
Our current vacancies are:
- One representative from a nonprofit organization with expertise in developing social-emotional curricula
- A member to work in consultation with the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs (requires approval from the Executive Director)
- One representative from a coalition of youth-serving organizations working together to improve outcomes for young people
- Two Tribal representative members who have experience working in and with schools—one member from east of the crest of the Cascade mountains; and one member from west of the crest of the Cascade mountains (Tribal approval required)
- One representative from a foundation that supports social emotional learning
For more information on the SEL Advisory Committee, please visit our web page. If you have any questions, please contact diane.stead@k12.wa.us.
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Welcome to our new SEL Advisory Committee Co-Chair Xyzlora Brownell!
Xyzlora Brownell is the Early Childhood Intervention Prevention Services (ECLIPSE) Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Manager at the Department of Children, Youth and Families – Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). Xyzlora has over two decades of experience working in combination with children and families in child care, Head Start, therapeutic preschool environments and child welfare.
Xyzlora is a dual language learner, born in South Korea. Her experiences of being an ECEAP parent, Head Start therapeutic teacher, foster parent and a Child Protection Services Social Work brings unique perspective to her work with children and families. Xyzlora has provided trainings and mentoring for early learning staff, foster parents and biological parents in the reunification process; specializing her work with children with special needs and challenging behaviors.
Xyzlora graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor in Arts focusing on Human Development/Psychology and received her Master in Social Work at the University of Washington. She lives with her husband in Tacoma, Washington and enjoys spending time with her adult children, golfing and crafting.
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The next SEL Advisory Committee meeting is August 22, 2023, 9:00AM–12:00PM. The meeting will be held via Zoom (link attached).
We encourage the public to attend and provide time for public comment. You may also share public comment to the SEL Advisory Committee at any time by using the comment link on the SEL website.
More information is available on the SEL Advisory Committee webpage. If you have questions, please email tammy.bolen@k12.wa.us.
The Washington SEL Network Exchange 2023 was a great success! Many thanks to everyone who contributed and especially to those in attendance! The collective efforts it took to make this event a success was apparent in the excitement throughout the day and is so incredibly rewarding. Thank you!
It was an inspiring day of thoughtful conversation and meaningful connection as we worked together to further SEL in our school communities. Please check the SEL Professional Learning Network (PLN) webpage for the presentation materials and summary report later this month. This is the link to the resources page that was shared at the event.
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During the opening session of the Washington SEL Network Exchange, participants were invited to reflect on the past year and write down one SEL success. Here are some things that were shared:
- "Highly attended SEL Family Night"
- "Integration of mental health clinicians in rural districts"
- "Having a student say they asked for a break and not yell at their teacher"
- "Students being able to independently resolve a conflict using SEL language (i.e. “I feel…”)"
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Closing out a school year brings joy for most, however, keep in mind many families struggle with summer childcare and food insecurities. More information on hunger relief resources is available through the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
As we celebrate successes and take that much-needed break from daily tasks, it is never too early to plan for the upcoming year. Please take a minute to update the SEL Professional Learning Network Point of Contact form if you are new to a district, stepping away, or would simply like to get involved with the network.
If you have questions about the PLN, please email debra.parker@k12.wa.us.
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The SEL modules currently hosted on Moodle are being transferred to a new platform, Canvas. If you are currently working through the modules in Moodle, or have not yet submitted your Clock Hours, we encourage you to do that soon. The online modules will become inaccessible on August 30, 2023. We will link to the new platform on our website when it is available. If you have questions, please reach out to diane.stead@k12.wa.us. |
As we shared in our previous newsletters, OSPI will not be able to continue the evidence based SEL curriculum grants. The recently released state operating budget removed funding for the SEL Curriculum and Ben Everett has moved to a new position in a different division. If you have any questions about SEL Curriculum, please contact tammy.bolen@k12.wa.us.
 August 2023: Setting Up Your School & Classroom for Belonging
The first day of school takes a lot of preparation. When a student walks into your school or class how do you want them to feel? What can you do to set yourself up for yearlong success? We’ll be looking at these questions with research, notable teachers, and resources to help you get started. We’ll learn from Nick Yoder from the American Institute of Research (AIR) about a framework for positive school climate and the practices that will help you start the year as a community builder. We’ll also have master teacher, Sally Anvari, an Evergreen State College Field Supervisor, with us to share her moves on setting up her classroom and the practices that she uses in the first weeks of schools to create a classroom culture of kindness and belonging. Click the image above to register or visit the Zoom Registration page to sign up for the webinar series. To review previous sessions, visit the Graduation Equity Webinar webpage.
The work of our Professional Learning Network was highlighted in CASEL's State Bright Spots: SEL and the American Rescue Plan Act brief, along with SEL work in California, Hawai'i, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Vermont. Click the image (left) to read the brief or access it here: CASEL State Bright Spots.
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