ABOUT
Background
Supporting the positive development of social skills, emotional growth and mental health for our students continues to be a high priority for Chinook’s Edge School Division. The framework is designed to provide information about social emotional indicators, promising practices for social-emotional development in an effort to promote positive mental health for our students. In addition, it highlights possible training and/or professional development opportunities for education staff.
Context
The need for this Social Emotional Framework evolved over the past few years when division office leaders, school leaders and education staff heard our teachers’ expression of student needs in their classrooms. At the same time, an exploration of strategies to enhance our safe and caring school cultures, responding to current research, and being thoughtful of Response to Intervention processes was taking place. (Admin Procedure 3-26)
Research
The Collaborative for Academic Social Emotional Learning (CASEL) highlights current social emotional learning research (www.casel.org). Key insights from the research highlighted by CASEL indicates that focusing on social emotional development can have a positive impact on school climate and promote a host of academic, social, and emotional benefits for students. For example: better academic performance; improved attitudes and behaviours; fewer negative behaviours; reduced emotional distress; build protective factors; and the enhanced mental health of students. (Adapted, CASEL)
DEFINITIONS: (for the purpose of this framework)
Social Emotional Development: The process for learning life skills, including how to manage emotions, develop healthy relationship and wise decisions. (Alberta Education, 2016)
Mental Health: The capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. It is a positive sense of social and emotional well-being that respects the importance of culture, equity, social justice, interconnections, and personal dignity. (Adapted from Public Health Agency of Canada)