FEBRUARY 2023
Inclusion vs. Belonging: What’s the Difference and How can SEL Help?
–Elizabeth Devaney, Director, Whole Child Connection

I was recently scrolling through my LinkedIn feed and an image popped up with a quote from Dr. Muna Abdi - “It is not inclusion if you invite people into a space you are unwilling to change.” It got me thinking about the efforts so many are involved in related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. That last word inclusion always leaves me a little uncomfortable because it suggests otherness and conjures up images of its counterpart, exclusion. I hear former teachers in my head reminding us kids to include everyone in playtime at recess and the perhaps not-so-subtle groan that inevitably followed such directions. Read the Blog
Youth Voice Matters: Helping to Improve Teacher Retention

We have heard from many teachers that they feel disconnected from students, that connections are strained, and that student support needs are growing as we all recover from the pandemic. Thanks to a grant from the Farash Foundation’s Teacher Pipeline Innovation Project grant, Children’s Institute’s Youth Leadership Council will be using their voice, expertise, and leadership to help improve teacher retention in our area. Read the Blog
Nominate an Amazing BIPOC Educator!!

We are looking to highlight educators who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and who embody Social Emotional Learning in their classrooms and with their students. Too often these educators' contributions to the classroom are minimized or fly under the radar. We want to uplift the incredible talent in our own community. Know someone amazing or want to share your own story? We want to hear from you!

Nominate a local BIPOC educator to be featured in our newsletter! Contact Sierra Fisher and tell us in a few lines why this individual would be great to feature.
SEL Day 2023 – Uplifting Hearts, Connecting Minds

Spread the word and start planning a classroom or school activity to Celebrate SEL Day!

Join us in celebrating International SEL Day on March 10, 2023 to showcase, promote, advocate, and support social-emotional learning in your class, school, or district.  

Look for blog posts throughout February and an #SELDay 2023 special email message highlighting what SEL means to Children’s Institute’s community stakeholders as well as favorite books and resources that support children, youth, and adults in building equity-centered SEL skills.  

Use your social media channels to let everyone know how you are recognizing this day. Use the #SELdayCI #SELday #SEL hashtags to tag us and amplify your efforts.
Resources for Educators  
From Whole Child Connection:

Consider where you are already implementing cooperative learning in your classroom and then focus on how you can make these learning times more intentional spaces for SEL skill building.

 
 
Recommended resources:

Although we at Whole Child Connection feel that Black History should be everyone’s history and taught throughout the year, we also welcome the opportunity to celebrate, highlight, and uplift the Black community during the month of February. The following are two great local and national resources that we highly recommend.
 
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
SEL and ELA

Location: ESC- Educational Services Center, 3599 Big Ridge Road, Spencerport, NY 14559

Social & Emotional Learning is more important than ever, yet many teachers are feeling pressure to help children ‘catch up' academically. Designed for elementary school educators, this interactive and engaging session provides teachers with strategies to bolster children's ELA skills while building their SEL capacity at the same time. Educators will gain practical strategies that strengthen the teaching and learning of SEL and ELA in bi-directional ways using culturally diverse children's literature and morning meetings as primary platforms. (Audience: Elementary school Teachers)
   
March 1, 2023
3:00-5:30 p.m.
 
 
Introduction to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Racial Equity (Virtual)

Introduction to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Racial Equity introduces SEL in the context of a critical and anti-racist framework. This learning experience is for all educators and leaders committed to their own growth and development related to SEL and Racial Equity. It will provide shared language and a foundation to understand the relationship between racism and SEL. It will explore the various fears people face when engaging in racialized work and conversations, as well as effective frameworks to counter those fears. Lastly, this session will give participants an opportunity to explore some of the pitfalls of SEL and Equity, along with some of the recommendations to address the pitfalls. Facilitators understand and are responsive to the sensitivity of racialized conversations, the potential for harm among racial minority participants, the different lived experiences people bring, and the various levels of engagement people have in this work. (Audience: Teachers, counselors, admin- at any level, elementary, middle, high)

This event will be online via Zoom and the invitation will be sent the day before to all who are registered for this event.

April 4, 2023
3:30-5:30 p.m.