Social-emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for safe and positive learning and enhances students' ability to succeed in school, careers, and life. All of us, including students, are facing the layered impact of the pandemic, school closure, and social unrest. BSD has prioritized supporting the social-emotional development of our students with daily opportunities for SEL for all students. 

Research shows that SEL not only improves academic achievement but also increases behaviors such as kindness, sharing, and empathy, improves student attitudes toward school, and reduces depression and stress among students (Durlak et al., 2011). Effective social-emotional learning programming involves coordinated classroom, schoolwide, family, and community practices that help students develop the following five key skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. To read a more detailed article on SEL in the classroom, please click here.

BSD school counselors and nurses will support social-emotional learning. At the elementary level particularly, they will provide lessons that complement what students are learning.