Fellowship Spotlight – Collaborating on a Vision

SEL Fellow and district SEL leader in New York David Blahowicz describes building a team of SEL champions of teachers and leaders through foundational learning activities and community building. Visit https://casel.org/series/sel-fellows-briefs/ for more briefs from SEL Fellows.

Enacting Social-Emotional Learning: Lessons from “Outlier Schools” in California’s CORE Districts

This research brief looks at the commonalities among California middle schools that reported stronger-than-typical social emotional learning outcomes. These 6 characteristics are elaborated into recommendations for school districts supporting SEL at scale.

TAGS model SEL schools implementation plan restorative practices advisory/homeroom community relations instructional practices culture and climate building community out of school student discipline

Snapshot of SEL in Washoe County

Washoe's 2 page snapshot flyer defines SEL, summarizes the impact SEL has had in Washoe schools, and describes key SEL implementation priorities.

TAGS fundraising SEL overview implementation plan communications community relations conducting local SEL research building buy-in for SEL family and community engagement

Social and Emotional Learning Benefits All Students and Adults (Brochure)

This 4 page booklet from Oakland describes the SEL vision and accomplishments in the district, and includes classroom discussion indicators for the 5 SEL competencies.

TAGS SEL overview communications community relations classroom level building buy-in for SEL family and community engagement

In Oakland, Reinventing School Policing

Article and video about Oakland schools' partnership with police and special SEL training for school-based officers.

TAGS community partnerships alternatives to suspension anti-bias SEL partnerships relationship skills restorative practices building community student discipline

Teaching Restorative Practices with Classroom Circles

San Francisco's guide focused on the use of Circles as a proactive measure to build trust and community in a classroom. Includes sample activities and lesson plans for introducing students to restorative practices.

TAGS teacher tool toolkit reading lists - staff culturally responsive teacher training restorative practices advisory/homeroom instructional practices classroom level culture and climate building community professional learning youth voice

Self-Assessment Checklist – Cultural Competence

This checklist provides examples of the kinds of values and practices that foster an environment that is aware and respectful of cultural diversity, from Georgetown University's National Center for Cultural Competence.

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias equity culturally responsive community relations building community

Chicago Public Schools Districtwide Vision – Safe and Supportive Schools

Chicago's vision and plan integrates SEL throughout its priorities, highlighted best in the section on Safety and Support.

TAGS communications community relations college and career readiness culture and climate building community integrate with district priorities

Portrait of a Graduate – Framing a Vision for your School System

Battelle for Kids has built out a 4 phase design process with examples and supporting materials for bringing together stakeholders to co-create a Portrait of a Graduate, i.e. the community's goals for its students. Free tools include a Getting Started Guide for superintendents and system leaders and a My Sketch tool, which helps the community prioritize competencies and create a visual representation.

TAGS building buy-in for SEL family and community engagement

Relationships First: Creating Connections that Help Young People Thrive

Young people deeply benefit from developmental relationships with a variety of people including program leaders from community organizations, mentors, parents, teachers, and friends. This resource lays out a framework for building strong relationships with young people, and concludes with 55 concrete ideas.

TAGS family partnerships community partnerships relationship skills advisory/homeroom