In a recent Getting Smart blog post, Increase Social Awareness and Build Culture: Action Steps from Four Schools, Mary Ryerse profiles schools that have embraced social awareness as an integral component of social emotional learning – including Deer Park Community City Schools, a Thriving Learning Communities school.
1. Shaw Middle School: Social Intelligence: Students set social goals based on the growth traits they recognize are needed not only for personal growth, but specifically to help them accomplish their academic goals.
2. Grandview High School: Culture of Kindness: A proactive approach to social awareness with initiatives like Respect for All (integrating students with special needs into the school’s mainstream) and Service Projects (like an Adopt-A-Family effort and a March Madness to Give effort aimed at reducing hunger.)
3. Burlington Edison School District: Diversity as Solution: Recognizes that, in order for groups to capitalize on the full benefits of their diversity, they must know how to work together.
4. Deer Park Community City Schools: Thriving Learning Communities: Uses Thriving Learning Communities curriculum—which addresses themes like self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and more—as the heart of Deer Park’s SEL efforts.
Read the Getting Smart blog post here.
Visit our News Room and Blog to learn more about the Deer Park Community Schools implementation.
Visit Education Week to learn more about the strengths based character development program (tiered subscription available).
Visit the 5 to Thrive Challenge to access a free toolkit – join other schools across the country in improving school culture through social emotional learning.
