Social Emotional Learning

Jeffco Public Schools creates and maintains a positive climate and culture in schools that is inclusive and safe for students, families and staff. With a commitment to empowering successful and productive citizens,  the district supports the growth of students through leveled, evidence-based implementation of social emotional learning programming.

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which students and adults gain and apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to deal effectively with daily tasks and challenges.

Jeffco has adopted the five core competencies of SEL outlined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL). 

• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills
• Responsible Decision-Making (CASEL, 2020)

SEL happens in safe and supportive school, family and community environments that support development and provide opportunities and recognition for successfully applying skills.

At Hackberry, we use the following programs and practices schoolwide to support SEL:

• PBIS
• Restorative Practices
• Second Step

PBIS

Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) is a process to create a safe, positive, and productive learning environment for all children. 

At our school, we use HAWKS – Honor Everyone, Academic Achievement, Work Together, Kindness to Everyone & Safety First. Rewards and celebrations occur in classrooms and throughout the building to let students know that we see how amazing they are and how hard they are working every day to model these behavior expectations! All students receive "Hawk High Fives" for positive behavior, and then once/month they get to cash them in for prizes from the Hawk High Five Cart. 

How can you support your student at home?

• A core principle of PBIS that you can use at home is the 5:1 rule. For every corrective statement made, provide five positive statements or praises of your child's behavior. 
• Use the HAWKS expectations to reinforce student behavior at home
• Talk to your student about what these behavior expectations look like at home and in the community

Restorative Practices

Hackberry Hill will be using Restorative Practices and Proactive Circles throughout the school year.

Quick overview of restorative practice

• What is Restorative Practice?

Restorative Practices is a term used to describe a relationship-oriented approach (rather than a punishment-oriented one) to resolving issues that arise in school. The five Rs of Restorative Practice are relationship, respect, responsibility, repair, and reintegration.

• Proactive Circles – happen weekly in the classroom for the purpose of connection and belonging (usually a question with a brief answer where everyone participates)
• Responsive Circles – happen as needed in classrooms to address incidents that may cause harm (bullying, playground conflict, or unsafe behavior) or denote a change in the community (new student or a student’s last day)
• Informal Conferences – used to talk to an individual or small group about an issue (student/teacher conflict, habitual tardies, etc.) using 4 questions to reflect on effects of the behavior:
  • What happened?
  • Who did it affect?
  • What might you have done differently?
  • What is a solution so it doesn’t happen again?
• Preconferences – fact-finding review of the 4 questions with each individual in conflict prior to determine whether to put them together in a formal RP Conference
• RP Conferences – conference with two people in conflict or a reintegration of a student who has been suspended that results in a signed, mutually agreeable and student-generated solution

How can you support your student at home?

• Use the 4 questions when helping your student to problem solve through a conflict they have at home.
• Take turns answering relationship building questions around the dinner table.

Restorative practice questions

• What happened?
• What are the effects?
• What responsibility can you take?
• What are the solutions?

Second Step

Second Step is taught weekly in every classroom. The lessons provide instruction in social and emotional learning with units on skills for learning, empathy, emotion management, friendship skills, and problem solving. 

Second Step uses four key strategies to reinforce skill development: brain builder games, weekly theme activities, reinforcing activities, and home links. These links offer you an overview of the lessons being covered in your child's class as well as tips and practice opportunities for you to use at home. 

Additional supports

At Hackberry, Social Emotional Learning is a thread that weaves through all we do as we focus on the "Whole Child." All students have access to weekly lessons and enrichment within their classrooms. Some children participate in Tier 2 practices such as our Check-In/Check-Out (HUG Club) program to help support their social emotional development. We also have programs such as the "Peace Police" – peer mentors that help support positive conflict resolution with other students. If you would ever like to know more about how and what we do, please don't hesitate to reach out!