STRONG Foundations
During the 2021 – 2022 school year , Crofton House continued the focus on social and emotional learning ( SEL ) as an essential part of the School ’ s approach to educating the whole girl . SEL is a set of practical skills that help students develop positive relationships , feel and show empathy for others , make responsible decisions and stay open to learning throughout their lives — this is central to student well-being and a key contributor to academic achievement . SEL helps normalize having a wide range of emotions , and it provides tools and strategies to identify and share how we ’ re feeling .
To build that SEL foundation across campus , Crofton House engaged two coordinators of student wellbeing & social and emotional learning : Chantal Eady in the Junior School and Jo Kimmel in the Senior School . Ms Eady and Ms Kimmel developed an SEL curriculum for the
Junior and Senior Schools , and they provide ongoing support to students along with dedicated SEL support for teachers as a starting point in the SEL journey at CHS . “ We ’ re going to start with the adults because we need them to model what we ’ re looking for . But we ’ re really determined that this doesn ’ t feel like an ‘ add on ’, or one more thing for teachers to put on their plate ,” said Ms Kimmel . “ It is the plate .”
Their unique roles have supported the growth and the understanding of SEL in each School . “ We need to show students real-life situations so they can apply these skills ,” said Ms Eady . “ It ’ s giving them the power to advocate for themselves and be comfortable in their skin .”
SEL IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL
In the Junior School , Ms Eady and a committee created eight lessons on SEL for each class from Grade 1 though 7 . Those eight lessons are reinforced in various ways , from dedicated class activities to organic discussions throughout the day . She intends to build onto the strong foundation of SEL concepts in the Early Childhood Education Centre by adding to their curriculum , with a focus on self-awareness and selfmanagement strategies .
“ We need to show students real-life situations so they can apply these skills . It ’ s giving them the power to advocate for themselves and be comfortable in their skin .”
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