Social Emotional Learning

Per IC 20-19-5 passed in 2019, the IDOE, in collaboration with other agencies, is required to have a plan for children's social, emotional, and behavioral health.  A Plan was subsequently developed the contents of which spell out competencies and best practices for schools who are required to address the Social Emotional needs of students. Associated with the requirements for schools was the requirement that schools adopt an evidenced based curriculum for their SEL programming.

What is Social Emotional Learning?

An element of the Department of Education's SEL plan includes training for educators which outlines what SEL is and best practices to be used by educators in Indiana. The following presentation outlines fundamental information about SEL: Serving the Whole Child.

Social Emotional Learning is an essential process that humans undergo to develop their emotional IQ. School SEL curriculum is designed to assure that all students have access to the necessary knowledge, and are exposed to the process in order to empower themselves throughout their lives. The process produces the following intended outcomes.

Students will:

  • Acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities

  • Manage emotions

  • Achieve personal and collective goals

  • Feel and show empathy for others

  • Establish and maintain supportive relationships

  • Make responsible and caring decisions

LPCSC Evidence Based Curriculum

In response to the requirement of adopting evidenced based curriculum for our SEL programming, LPCSC has chosen two social emotional curriculum programs associated with evidence-based research; The first, Second Step, was selected for its developmental lesson content, transparency, and easy facilitation for grades K-8. The second, Character Strong, was chosen for implementation in grades 9-12. Lastly, another format supporting student well-being is incorporated into our Health and Wellness classes for grades 9 and 10 through the drug prevention curriculum Botvin Life Skills Training.

Within this web page you will find additional specific information on each of the programs. It is through the combination of chosen curriculums that a transparent picture is presented linking student social emotional wellbeing to increased student academic success. Questions about these programs can be directed to our Director of Social Emotional Learning and Prevention, Anne Wodetzki, at awodetzki@lpcsc.k12.in.us.

What Social Emotional Learning is NOT

The context and content of SEL is often misunderstood. So, it is just as important to know what SEL is, as it is to know what SEL is NOT.

SEL is NOT:

  • An attempt to indoctrinate a set of principles based on political leanings

  • Instructing a student what to think, but building skills to learn how to think

  • Disregarding the parent’s role in nurturing their child's social emotional development

Second Step (K-8)

ENGAGE YOUR CHILD WITH SIMPLE SECOND STEP AT-HOME ACTIVITIES!

The Second Step program informs families of what their child is learning and ways they can continue to support their well-being. Families are provided weekly overviews of unit lessons by grade level. In addition, Second Step provides parents at-home activities that are aligned with content areas being taught in their weekly classroom lessons.

Second Step K-5 curriculum is broken down into four units over the course of the school year, with five lessons under each unit. In grades 6-8, there are four units totaling 26 lessons. A free online website is also available to parents of students in grades 6-8: parenteenconnect.org.

View Second Step Video

Second Step Unit Lessons & Home Activities

Character Strong (9-12)

Character Strong is a national research-based curriculum focused on building the skills needed in everyday life, whether at home, school, or career.

LPCSC facilitates Character Strong in grades nine through twelve for the purpose of supporting student well-being and preparing students for success both in the present and future. Student on-line interactive classroom activities are sequential and build upon the previous grade level’s activities thereby taking into consideration the students’ developmental stages.

There are 22 lessons over the course of the school year with lessons being taught once per week in the students’ SRT (Student Resource Time) class. Character Strong develops skills such as: empathy, resiliency, stress management, growth mindset, leadership development, and goal setting. These foundation relational skills enhance a student’s growth from adolescence into young adulthood.

Character Strong Curriculum: