Social Emotional Learning - Instruction, Intervention & Prevention

NEW ACTIVITIES FOR PREVENTION & PROMOTION

Parents Are Part of the Solution: Bulllying Prevention (Click here for the flyer)

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 6:30 PM North Smithfield Middle School 1850 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI 02896

Bullying can have a devastating impact on youth resulting in poor academic performance, depression, anxiety and absenteeism, to name just a few. For some, the impact is so devastating it can affect them well into adulthood. In North Smithfield, we’ve taken this issue very seriously by forming an Anti-Bullying Workgroup to study the problem and to recommend changes in policy and programs. There has been a particular emphasis on prevention. Join us for an informative evening. We’ll start by dispelling some myths about bullying. Then we’ll watch a video about the topic, followed by a discussion of how parents can be a part of the solution. We’ll end with an update on the efforts of the Anti-Bullying Workgroup and will include a summary of what is currently being done in the district to prevent, identify and respond to allegations and any instances of bullying. This event is co-sponsored by the Anti-Bullying Workgroup, N. Smithfield Prevention Coalition and SELAC.

Teen Substance Abuse & Suicide Prevention Presentation (click here for the flyer)

The entire North Smithfield community is encouraged to join us Tuesday, February 12th, at 6:30 PM at the Kendal-Dean Administrative offices at 83 Greene Street Slatersville, Rhode Island, to welcome License Clinical Social Worker Leigh Raposa, Program Manager for the Youth Suicide Prevention Project, as she shares awareness and prevention principles our entire community needs to know about Teen Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention.

RSVP by Feb. 9th to Michelle Taylor at michelleptaylor [at] verizon [dot] net or 401-225-4766.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING - What is it?

What Is SEL?

Image used with permission from CASEL (2012)

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SYSTEMS APPROACH)

Direct & explicit whole class instruction -PK
- Teaching Strategies GOLD - PK
- Open Circle - K-5
- ELA & Health Curricula (Communication, Problems Solving, Speaking, Listening...)
Targeted intervention - PK-12
- MENU: Social Thinking, 2^nd Step, Steps to Respect, etc
Prevention & Promotion - PK-12
- Teaching...
  - Tolerance
  - Awareness
    - Kids Care (K-5) – Disabity Awareness Program
      - Kids Care Overview/Volunteer Information 2012-2013
      - Kids Care Schedule 2012-2013
  - Acceptance
    - UNIFIED TEAM (NSHS & NSMS)
    - Rachels Challenge (Secondary & Halliwell)

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING PROGRAMS REVIEWED

Social Skills Instructional Programs

Open Circle (whole class social skills instruction)
Second Step (whole class social skills instruction)
Social Skills Intervention System (SSIS) - Classroom Intervention Program
Steps To Respect (whole class social skills instruction)

Social Emotional Intervention approaches

Open Circle (targeted social skills instruction and K-5 positive school climate/culture)
Responsive Classroom (K-5 positive school climate/culture)
Second Step (targeted social skills instruction)
Social Skills Intervention System (SSIS) - Intervention Guide
Social Thinking (Michelle Garcia Winners)
Steps To Respect (targeted social sklls instruction)

At Risk Preventions Reviewed

Kids Care (Disability awareness program - district parent developed)
Kelso's Choice (Conflict Management System)
Open Circle (Classroom Community)

Promoting Good Citizenship Programs Reviewed

Unified Team (RISL & RI Special Olympics program)

Best Buddies (Disability awareness/Peer advocacy)

Life of an Athlete (Substance Abuse prevention)

Rachel’s Challenge (Kindness campaign)

Responsive Classroom (Classroom Community)

Service Learning

Character Education

Project Map

Project Map focus includes:

surveying students, parents, and staff to determine the extent and degree of concern and the level of support or needs our community faces about these issues
evaluating the district's existing bullying policy with the intent of revising
collecting and reviewing policies from other districts across Rhode Island and Massachusetts
meeting with building administrators to identify resources, issues, and bullying complaints protocol within each building in order to standardize the district's protocols and procedures
conducting a "Walk Through" to simulate how building administrators handle a report of bullying
establishing a process to collect "data" relevant to this issue within the district
researching potential resources, programs, or school/district-wide bullying programs or approaches by reviewing the research, a programs effectiveness, and determining what program is the appropriate "fit" for our district's needs based on our core educational program and district values
awaiting guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Education for needed action as a results of new legislation , the "safe Schools Act", passed by the General Assembly during the Spring 2011 Session.
all work group meeting agendas and meeting minutes may be found below.

WORK GROUP MEETING AGENDAS & NOTES

2012-2013
2011-2012
- 10/19/11, 11/2/11, 11/30/11, 12/14/11, 1/25/12, 2/8/12, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2
2010-2011
- 1/5/11, 1/19/11, 4/27/11, 5/18/11, 5/25/11, 6/15/11

WORK GROUP PARTICIPANTS

Michelle Taylor (Parent & SELAC President) - Co-chair
John Lahar (NSMS Principal) - Co-chair
Pam Shayer - North Smithfield/Lincoln Prevention Task Force
Melinda Howard - Parent
Michelle Halloran, LMSW - NSHS & NSMS
Leia Reynolds, School Psychologist - NSES
Cheryl Sachs, LMSW - NSES & Halliwell School Social Worker
Mark Salisbury, School Psychologist - Halliwell
Mary Ellen Tillotson, Ph.D. - School Psychologist - NSHS & NSMS
Rusty Brown - Director of Pupil Personnel Services
For questions or concerns, you may contact Michelle Taylor at michelleptaylor [at] verizon [dot] net (m)ichelleptaylor [at] verizon [dot] net or 225-4766 or John Lahar at jlahar [at] nsps [dot] us or 598-6100.