Teaching skills for positive relationships and mental wellness
We think of schools teaching the “three Rs,” but Charlottesville City Schools is also committed to a fourth R — relationships. Our counselors teach social and emotional skills when they visit classrooms, work with small groups or individuals, host clubs, and organize activities. Since 2015, we have also begun adding social-emotional learning (SEL) to our regular classroom curriculum to teach specific behaviors, such as the ability to recognize and regulate emotions. We recognize that social and emotional skills are a key element of mental wellness.
SEL Curriculum and Practices
Beginning in 2017, specific elementary classrooms at Greenbrier Elementary (and in 2018, at Clark Elementary) have piloted special SEAL (Social, emotional, and academic learning) classrooms to innovate and refine an intensive approach to social-emotional practices and curriculum. In addition, our alternative learning center, Lugo-McGinness Academy, is very intentional in supporting the social and emotional growth of its students. The success of these programs has inspired the spread of these practices across our Charlottesville schools.
In 2018-19, we implemented a division-wide SEL curriculum in our pre-K and kindergarten classes, and in 2019-20, we added first grade to this commitment. For the 2020-21 school year, we have taken a huge leap in making social-emotional learning instruction available to all of our students, PK-12.
Resources
This curriculum uses both nationally recognized and local resources:
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