It’s time to SELebrate! Linden Public Schools are taking a break from the normal grind to renew, reconnect, and have fun.
On Friday, Dec. 10, the district will observe a special day of “SELebration” to highlight Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for students and staff. There will be no formal instruction of the curriculum on this day. Instead, teachers will coordinate project-based activities that focus on social-emotional learning strategies such as conflict resolution, student voice, team building, collaboration, and much more.
“We want to show our families that our focus is not solely on offering a rigorous academic curriculum, but also on teaching the whole child,” said Superintendent Dr. Marnie Hazelton. “Fostering social and emotional wellness and building connections among students and teachers is vital to their well-being and for the culture of our schools. Learning can only begin once we’ve built a foundation of caring and trust.”
Dec. 10 will also be a designated School Spirit Day throughout the district. Students and staff are encouraged to wear Linden gear or apparel, or anything in the school colors of orange and black.
Students will follow their normal school schedule and participate in a wide variety of planned SEL-focused activities with their teachers and school community. All Linden students will engage in activities that promote build and maintain positive and trusting relationships along with inquiry, problem-solving and teamwork.
The SELebration is not just for the one day. Events will continue with a different day every month until the end of the school year.
Social Emotional Learning is the process through which all students and adults 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, and make responsible and caring decisions.
SEL is a lifelong process on how to better understand ourselves, connect with others, work together to achieve goals, and support our community.
Students in Debra Heffernan’s advanced graphic design class at Linden High School developed a logo for the SELebration. The winning logo in a classwide design contest was designed by the team of Michael Granillo, Peter Janovcik, and Alex Lopez.