WTPS School Counseling Department to Present New Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Student Survey
The Washington Township Public Schools’ School Counseling Department is partnering with teachers throughout the District to launch a new Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Student Survey. As part of the District’s larger “Building Better People” initiative, teachers will be spending one class period from December 7-23, 2020, helping or allowing students to complete the survey.
SEL is an integral part of education and human development and is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to:
- Understand and manage emotions;
- Set and achieve positive goals;
- Feel and show empathy for others;
- Establish and maintain positive relationships; and,
- Make responsible decisions
SEL also advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to established learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy and just communities.
“Our goal is to support the whole student with a research-based SEL survey assessment,” District Director of School Counseling Jennifer Grimaldi said. “The survey provides a valid and reliable way to measure and improve social-emotional learning in our District. The survey helps use create a District-wide SEL common language and framework and builds each student’s SEL’s skills and competencies. Ultimately, survey results will help us to enhance students’ connections to school, positive behavior and academic achievement. Data from the survey will allow to address deficiencies and create school and classroom environments that are safe, caring, engaging and that allow students to thrive and excel. We are grateful for the cooperation of our staff and families who have embraced this survey for the well-being of all students.”