Happy SEL Day!
March 11, 2022, marks the 3rd annual International Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day, commemorating the importance of this foundational process of learning and development. This year’s theme is “Finding Common Ground, Pursuing Common Good.” Find out more about SEL and SEL Day — and how to get involved — at selday.org.
Much more than an acronym, SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.
Studies show that SEL improves well-being and academic outcomes, builds positive school climate, and provides children and adults with the necessary skills to excel in personal and professional life. As research and experience continue to highlight its importance, SEL has become an increasingly key focus of curriculum and professional development across Santa Cruz County schools.
At the Santa Cruz COE, we host a countywide SEL Community of Practice that supports educators from across our county to learn and apply SEL principles and practices into their daily work at schools.
The COE also maintains an online portal of high-quality, vetted SEL resources for students, parents, and educators alike at sccoe.link/sel.
Today, and always, we invite everyone in our community to explore these resources and reflect on the importance of SEL for the holistic development of learners of all kinds!