School Counselors & Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
ACSD is working to develop a district-wide understanding of and approach to social and emotional learning. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
A section of the CASEL website has multiple resources for families and communities. This information can be found at: https://casel.org/homes-and-communities/
Responsive Classrooms K-8th Grade
Our K-8 teachers and staff from across the district have come together for professional development to expand their understanding of Responsive Classrooms; a framework to help spark and develop new ways to design engaging academics, create positive communities, build a calm environment that promotes learning, and build teaching strategies that respond to students' individual needs and strengths. Over the next year we will be strengthening this practice district-wide.
Watch the video at right or visit this link to learn more about Responsive Classrooms.
Restorative Practices for grades 9-12
Our 9-12 teachers and staff are beginning a school-wide focus on the practice of Restorative Practices to strengthen the learning and relationships among students and for our high school school community.
Resources for Families
Below you will find some resources they have suggested by age level to support students. Please reach out to your school counselor at any time for strategies and resources to help your child succeed. The resources in the tabs below include:
- Mindfulness Practices which help to build spirits of calm self-awareness with indoor and outdoor activities
- Educational Strategies which offer ways to grow in Social and emotional Learning at home or in the classroom and
- Media Resources which offer songs, podcasts or videos to use with children and adults
OK. You've Got This
Addison County Resiliency Campaign - Addison County School Districts, along with the Addison County Parent Child Center, Building Bright Futures, the Counseling Service of Addison County, the Vermont Department of Health, the Vermont Department of Children and Families, and many other groups and individuals have joined together to launch a public awareness and education campaign for youth resiliency.
Using Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg’s model for raising resilient children and teens—there are 7 Crucial C’s (7Cs), or characteristics that we can foster in our children—and in ourselves as role models. Ideas and tips to foster each of these 7C's:
Competence Confidence Connection Contribution Character Coping Control
Please visit this website to learn more about raising resilient children: http://okyouvegotthis.org/.