SD 38 (Richmond) has been working with interested schools on implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into all aspects of the school day. Listen to Connie Easton, Coordinator for Mental Health, Social Emotional Learning and Counselling for the Richmond school district, talk about what Schoolwide SEL is, why it is important, how their district started, and what the impact has been.

Other Key Ideas: 

Here are some other tips from Connie on implementing Schoolwide SEL:

• It’s important to work with a Schoolwide SEL committee at the school and to get the Principal/Administrator on board. 

• The SEL committee, which usually meets once a month after school, can be comprised of any interested staff, but often includes teachers, counsellors, or other staff passionate about SEL.

• While the SEL team helps guide and implement the Schoolwide SEL process, all staff at the school take part in two to three professional learning days during the first year of implementing Schoolwide SEL designed to build staff’s ability to foster the social and emotional skills and competencies of their students. 

• Finding times to meet with staff can be challenging, some strategies Connie has found helpful are having schools commit to using pro-d days for this work, having teachers or administrators help cover classes, doing dinner meetings where dinner is provided, and coming into the class to work alongside the teacher and address any questions that come up in the moment. 

More great resources: 

For more on Schoolwide SEL, check out our Spotlight on Schoolwide Assessment and Growth Plan Toolkit for Well-being and SEL 

The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) also has a number of great resources on Schoolwide SEL:

• 10 Indicators of Schoolwide SEL

• CASEL’s guide to Schoolwide SEL

• CASEL’s 10-part webinar series on systemic SEL