About SEL

Social and Emotional Learning is the process of developing self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills necessary for life. SEL builds relationship skills, self-awareness, social awareness, self-management and responsible decision making. In practice, SEL grows important soft skills like:

  • understanding and managing emotions

  • setting and achieving positive goals

  • feeling and showing empathy for others

  • establishing and maintaining positive relationships

  • making responsible decisions

    Our mission is to help create an environment of equity and excellence in our schools. We do this using SEL by:

    • empowering learners by developing SEL skills
    • fostering open and equal environments
    • cultivating partnerships that help our community develop and thrive

    We use the basics to guide our use of SEL in our district:

    • relationship building
    • developing student grit
    • creating engaging learning spaces
    • Whole Child Development

    All campuses have selected activities that highlight these practices.  We target these building blocks in our instruction and through the three signature practices:

    • Welcoming activities
    • Engaging practices
    • Optimistic closures

    SEL at home

    We encourage families to use the “Three Signature Practices” at home similar to the school environment. When students see a respectful partnership between home and school that helps them, they are likely to have positive attitudes about school and be successful. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) has a direct impact on creating connectedness among staff, students and parents.

    Welcoming activities

    1. Say a good morning greeting to everyone in the house.
    2. Discuss what everyone in the family is grateful for before leaving the house.
    3. Have a morning affirmative phrase to say as a family for starting the day.

    Engaging practices

    1. Cook a family meal together and eat together.
    2. Enjoy a weekly family game night.
    3. Allow your child to have a voice in expressing their emotions.
    4. Practice problem-solving skills and conflict resolution scenarios.

    Optimistic closure

    1. Engage in a "Mindful Minute" before going to bed (see ideas in the Family Coping Kit resources below).
    2. Tell a family member what you appreciate about them before going to bed at night.
    3. Encourage each family member set a goal for the next day.

    SEL Resources for families

    Expand All

    Contact us

    Have questions? We're here to help.

    Stay up to date with GISD SEL by following us @gisdsel on Twitter and Instagram.