Information on Social Emotional Learning from Principal Baynes

Dear Sunny Hills Families,  

We continue to be committed to teaching and supporting social-emotional learning for students in the Issaquah School District through the Second Step social-emotional learning curriculum at Sunny Hills.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which people acquire and apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions.  It helps them set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for other people, develop positive relationships with people, and make responsible decisions.

Just like other curricular areas, teachers at each grade level will be following an approved scope and sequence of lessons and content.  Each grade level has about fifteen specific lessons to learn each year.  The specific lessons vary within each grade, but the structure and the four units remain the same at each grade.  The four units are: skills for learning, empathy, emotional management, and friendship and problem-solving skills. 

Similar to other content areas, some students may need additional practice with social-emotional skills, similar to students that may receive additional practice with math facts. Students who need additional support beyond the classroom SEL curriculum may be invited to join a small skills group. You will be notified directly if your student is invited to participate. At that time, you would receive additional information including duration, frequency, and goals for the group. Topics that might be covered in a small group include problem solving, emotion identification and management, friendship skills, grief and loss, executive functioning, skills for learning, and family change. You will have the choice to opt your student out of the group if you do not want them to participate.

We encourage you to ask your student about these learnings and partner in reinforcing these skills at home. Visit Ms. Schulenberg’s webpage for more information on social emotional learning.

We look forward to supporting all students in gaining these necessary skills this year.   

Warmly,

Tim Baynes

Principal, Sunny Hills Elementary