Session 1:  Introduction to SEL

This breakout will include an introduction to social and emotional learning (SEL) It will include:

• key components of SEL as defined by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the legislative Workgroup; 
• the six core social and emotional skills and three guiding principles; 
• the research underpinning SEL; 
• and comprehensive benefits and positive outcomes of SEL for staff, students, families, and other adults working with students. 

This session will reinforce the developmental nature of SEL in which social and emotional skill development is individual and context dependent—and that SEL is not meant as a tool to identify or marginalize students but rather to build student assets and provide supports. 

In addition, this segment will explain the relationship between SEL and academic learning and provide a high-level overview of strategies to implement SEL. Implementation of these strategies suggest that schools focus on a holistic and comprehensive approach in the strategies that they take.

Session 2:  Building Foundations and Strategies

This session focuses on creating a social and emotional learning (SEL) culture within a school. Specifically, in Creating a Professional Culture Based on SEL, educators will engage in activities that focus on educator social and emotional competencies, exploring ways in which adults can engage in self-care to reduce stress and professional burnout, and ways in which implicit bias influences interactions with students and colleagues. In addition, the segment provides strategies to create a professional culture in which culturally responsive SEL is a key ingredient (e.g., implementing an SEL practice at staff meetings, professional learning communities on SEL, and coaching and feedback on SEL). Finally, educators will review strategies to communicate and engage with families and community members in culturally responsive ways to directly support SEL efforts and students’ social and emotional skill development.

Sources of Strength is a universal suicide prevention program designed to build socioecological protective influences around youth and to reduce the likelihood that vulnerable youth/young adults will become suicidal.

Their mission of Sources of Strength is to provide the highest quality evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength.

Sources of Strength believes that many strengths are more powerful than one, and our united goal is to activate and mobilize these strengths in ways that positively change individuals and communities.

• Establish self-efficacy in parents/providers by teaching the “Attachment Rule” for regulating childhood behavior to lower frustration levels in families and the potential of abuse.  Resiliency Resources for Change.
• Teach Social Emotional Literacy (SEL) competence by informing families/providers about parenting & child development for accurate expectations.
• Provide specific techniques for changing familial patterns to establish prevention protocols and provide concrete support to families/providers that is easy to apply.

Schools across the country are implementing mindfulness into their school day, resulting in improved feelings of community, increased self-regulation, decreased behavioral referrals and an improvement in attendance. 

In this highly interactive workshop, you will learn how to integrate breathing techniques, short mindfulness activities and simple "train the brain" games into your K-12 setting. After a general overview of the latest research in neuroscience, trauma and mindfulness, participants will engage in thoughtful discussion, experience hands-on, ready to implement activities and learn how schools across the country are building strong hearts, minds and bodies with these practices.