Social and Emotional Learning
A successful education demands that a student’s character be developed. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process of helping students develop the skills to manage their emotions, resolve conflict nonviolently, and make responsible decisions. SEL helps children cultivate essential life skills including awareness of one’s own emotions, fostering respect and care for others, establishing strong relationships, making ethical and responsible decisions, and handling adversity constructively.
Waterford School District recognizes that parents play a vital role in teaching SEL. The district's goal is to partner with parents not to replace the critical role they play in their child's development. Just as we partner in the academic success of students, many of the district's SEL initiatives include parent components that encourage school/home communication and collaboration.
The Waterford School District institutes a whole-child approach by including SEL on an ongoing basis. Doing so addresses the social, emotional, and mental health issues, as well as create safe and supportive environments for all children. Specific examples of the strategies we use across the district include: CASEL, Mentoring, LINK, Mindfulness, RULER, Leader in Me, Olweus, connecting students without a connection, PBiS, Zones of Regulation, and Restorative Practices. If these proactive interventions are not successful, we follow the Code of Conduct for discipline up to and including the Waterford Police Department and court system.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
