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Student Services » Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Program at LGSD

Every school has adopted an SEL Curriculum to support students' social and emotional development in key areas such as: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills and social awareness. Our schools have adopted either Second Step or Leader in Me as their SEL Curriculum. 
 
Every student across the district will receive at least 30 minutes weekly of explicit SEL instruction and lessons, and starting in the 20-21 school year, the district launched an SEL Survey for all students PK-8th grade. This survey helps the district monitor student voice and data around their SEL skills, and provide proactive action steps to support effective student growth and mastery in SEL. Since 20-21, students have demonstrated promising growth in more than half of the areas on the SEL Survey. 
 

Why is SEL important, and how can it support my child?

CASEL, the leading organization on Social Emotional Learning for students, provides this video on the powerful impact of SEL on students and schools. 
 
In addition, CASEL reports the following from their website: 
 

"SEL leads to improved academic outcomes and behaviors"

When students have supportive relationships and opportunities to develop and practice social, emotional, and cognitive skills across many different contexts, academic learning accelerates. Hundreds of studies offer consistent evidence that SEL bolsters academic performance.

Results from a landmark meta-analysis that looked across 213 studies involving more than 270,000 students found that:

  • SEL interventions that address the five core competencies increased students’ academic performance by 11 percentile points, compared to students who did not participate.
  • Students participating in SEL programs showed improved classroom behavior, an increased ability to manage stress and depression, and better attitudes about themselves, others, and school.
  • Additional meta-analyses echoed these findings. Consistency across independent research teams offers strong support that well-implemented SEL programs are beneficial.

Lemon Grove School District believes in the power of Social Emotional Learning and the positive impact it can have on students and staff alike, especially during the tumultuous times we find ourselves in since COVID-19. SEL is also a powerful equity tool to support ALL students, and close the gap for students who have experienced ongoing struggles with school.

Talk to your social worker to learn more about the SEL program at your school site!