The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), defines SEL as the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. 

The foundations of SEL is targeted to raise awareness of the role that SEL core competencies (self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, social awareness and responsible decision-making) play in creating safe, engaging, culturally responsive, and personalized learning experiences for student and adults. 

Research shows that students who participate in SEL programming show improvement in multiple areas including pro-social behavior, attitudes about themselves and others, standardized achievement scores and social emotional skills. These same students also showed a reduction in problem behaviors and emotional distress. (Child Development, 82 (1), 405-432)

SEL Skills and Core Competencies

Self-Awareness

Accurately recognize emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Self-Management

Successfully regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Social Awareness

Take the perspective of others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Relationship Skills

Establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse people and groups. 

Responsible Decision-Making

Make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions.  

During the 2018-2019 school year, all middle schools incorporated SEL into their academic day, as well as into their school culture. Several elementary schools (Fairview, Tussahaw, Hickory Flat, New Hope and Unity Grove) also implemented the Second Step curriculum in all homerooms.  

For the 2019-2020 school year, we welcomed several new elementary schools and high schools.  The elementary schools include Dutchtown, Flippen, Hampton, Locust Grove, Oakland, Ola, Pleasant Grove, Rock Spring, Rocky Creek, Red Oak, Timber Ridge, and Wesley Lakes, as well as Woodland and Hampton High Schools. 

This year, we are happy to welcome Stockbridge, Smith-Barnes, Pate's Creek, and Luella Elementary Schools.  Our new middle and high schools are EXCEL, McDonough and Ola.  We are super excited about our new schools!

At each school, the SEL Specialist collaborates to ensure social-emotional learning is embedded throughout the day.  The SEL Specialist provides guidance and support in the area of Social Emotional Learning initiatives.  The Specialist directly supports campuses and the district to ensure that all current and anticipated social and emotional learning initiatives are implemented with fidelity. 

School-Connect Overview
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum for High Schools
Luella High School, Woodland High School, Hampton High School, Stockbridge High School, Eagles Landing High School, McDonough High School and EXCEL.  

School-Connect provides a high school social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. The multimedia curriculum is designed to improve high school students’ social, emotional, and academic skills and strengthen relationships among students and between students and teachers.