Social Emotional Learning
October 5, 2023
Click the image below to see the video, or follow this link: Supportive Discipline | CASEL Indicators of Schoolwide SEL
This month's blog comes from Briana Kelly, Assistant Director of Restorative Practices and Student Discipline at OSPI.
When many hear Restorative Practices (RP) they think of conflict management techniques, but that is only one branch of a wholistic systemic approach towards creating safe and welcoming school communities through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). The RP continuum includes key elements such as affective statements, relational and restorative circles, and conferences that are all part of a school's positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) system. Restorative justice is deeply rooted in indigenous cultural peacemaking circles and aligns with schoolwide SEL practices that are trauma-informed and culturally responsive.
Responding to conflict, especially when physical or emotional harm has been caused, can be a heavy burden for everyone involved. Authentic relationships are the preventative, tier 1 scaffold within a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) plan that’s dependent on a proactive, SEL foundation to address and repair harm caused within each community.
When RP and SEL are systemically built into behavior-response systems, students are required to reflect on their behavior, consider how it impacted others, and take accountability for their actions. This not only shifts the purpose of discipline to focus on changing behavior instead of simply correctly it, but it ensures a more equitable discipline process and, ultimately, a more equitable learning environment for all students.
To learn more on this topic, review these resources: Fostering Belonging, Transforming Schools: The Impact of Restorative Practices (Learning Policy Institute)
and Want to Implement Both SEL and Restorative Practices? (Committee for Children).
The next SEL Advisory Committee meeting is Tuesday, October 24, 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.
Want 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:
- 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.
|
SEL Network Exchange Highlights Video
 In June 2023, the SEL Network Exchange brought together educators from across Washington state to share valuable insights, exchange resources, and discuss future directions and sustainability of SEL implementation. Click the image above or follow this link to watch the video: SEL Network Exchange | OSPI.
Requesting Input: PLN Future Topics and Point of Contact Update
The OSPI SEL Team is seeking input to inform the topics for the upcoming school year's professional learning opportunities provided through the SEL Professional Learning Network. Please take this survey to help us determine topic areas that are of interest to you and will provide support throughout the SEL Implementation journey in your district. You will be added to our points of contact distribution list by providing your name and email address. Please contact Debra Parker or (360) 972-4074 with questions.
|
 Restorative practices offer opportunities for transformational positive school climate and alternatives to traditional disciplinary action. Individuals within a community are most capable of sustaining change when they feel engaged and can develop a sense of belonging. Restorative practices which focus on resolving conflict, repairing harm, and healing relationships through a foundation of integrated and preventative social emotional strategies, have been shown to prevent bullying and reduce disciplinary incidents in school.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
10:00–11:30am
Presenters include:
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 page.
This self-paced, interactive course and supporting resources will help educators build their knowledge and skills to use SEL practices in their classroom instruction. This course will prepare educators to use SEL practices that focus on equity and supportive classroom environments to improve their students' classroom experiences. Register through pdEnroller, then complete all three sections and the final quiz to receive three clock hours. For more information, visit the Academic Learning is Social and Emotional webpage. Please contact Diane Stead with any questions.
OSPI and UW Forefront Suicide Prevention (Forefront) are collaborating to learn more about mental health supports for elementary-age students. Recognizing diverse needs across the state, they are seeking valuable input from elementary school staff. Participating in the survey will help provide insight into existing supports and barriers to accessing mental health services. If you’re interested in providing information about your experiences, please take the survey by October 20th, 2023. If you have questions, please contact Kerry Bloomquist or Christian Stark.
The Outdoor Learning Grant is now open for schools, tribal schools, districts, and ESDs to apply! Projects specifically serving migrant, emergent multilingual learners, special education, rural, and tribal, students as well as students in alternative learning environments are prioritized for this funding!
Look for FP 357 in iGrants or use this link to learn more. This grant is dispersed on a rolling basis with initial awards occurring at the end of September. In the inaugural year, these funds served more than 37,000 students! In Ellensburg, Mount Adams, and Neah Bay, students grew native plants, created medicine, and harvested food to share with their communities in partnership with local tribes. In Chehalis, Nisqually, Pullman, Spokane and Yakima, students worked with natural resource professionals to research and restore local habitats. What can you do to bring your students outdoors to learn? Come with your ideas and questions to virtual Zoom office hours on Mondays, 3:30–5pm, or email Sheila Wilson or call (360) 561-0203 for more information.
From June to November 2023, American Institutes for Research is inviting students, educators, parents, and community members to share their stories about K–12 education in their communities since the onset of the COVID–19 pandemic. For more information, visit the COVID-19 and Equity in Education (CEE) Initiative website.
Blaire Penry, Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Electives Teacher at Auburn Online School, has been named 2024 Washington State Teacher of the Year, and Hilda Lail, Bilingual Family and Community Engagement Partnership Coordinator for Vancouver Public Schools, has been named 2023 Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year. For more information, read the OSPI news release.
|
Effective September 1, 2023, OSPI is changing the current website address from k12.wa.us to ospi.k12.wa.us. This change is required for improved security.
Please make sure to update your bookmarks, links, and saved pages to reflect this change, as redirects will only be in place for a period of 6 months. Rest assured, all the content and functionality you've come to rely on will remain intact at the new URL.
All OSPI email addresses will remain unchanged. If you encounter any issues or have any questions about this URL change, please reach out to OSPI’s support team at webteam@k12.wa.us. We're here to assist you and ensure a seamless transition.
|
|
