Building statewide awareness for SEL and its impact
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Providing resources and implementation support to schools
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Supporting state and local policies and funding for SEL
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Connecting local SEL stakeholders to share best practices
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Visit our “NEWS AND NOTES” Tab for information on current trends about SEL, what schools are doing to promote SEL, and current newsworthy items.

SEL Day on March 10, 2023 was a huge success for SEL4NJ as well as all of the New Jersey schools participating in the event.  Here are some statistics…
  • Increased number of participating schools by 105 to 577 – a 22.5% increase over last year.
  • Our 577 NJ schools represented 23% of the global total of schools participating in SEL day! 
  • NJ had 3 schools in the top 15 of Badge winners including the #1 spot!! 
  • NJ was in the top five of the most influential twitter profiles alongside CASEL, SEL4US and the Urban Assembly. The highest of all the SEL4 state affiliates
  • NJ State Board of Education issued a Resolution and Governor Murphy issued a State Proclamation
  • Other organizations and municipalities issued resolutions as well.
                                NJ  State Board of Education Proclamation                      Governor’s Proclamation 

SEL4NJ Summit on SEL Day!

SEL4NJ and its partner organizations presented a special SEL Day Summit featuring five presentations and a panel discussion focusing on the benefits of social-emotional and character development in schools and in life.  You can view recordings and slides from these special sessions by clicking on the links below…

 

Read our weekly SELday newsletters here...

SEL Helps Valued Outcomes to Happen: A Series of Examples

The Social-Emotional Learning Alliance for New Jersey is dedicated to ensuring everyone in New Jersey clearly understands the purpose and benefits of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
SEL is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. It also refers to the culture and climate of the school and the way schools promote positive character traits.  Contemplating a school without SEL is like having air without oxygen – it’s just not possible!
SEL works best when everyone, including staff, parents and caregivers, and students alike are involved in how SEL is designed, delivered, and integrated across all aspects of school life.
In this spirit, SEL4NJ has developed a series of information sheets that illustrate how SEL is embedded in the life of a school and how SEL is integral to the education process, enhancing and enabling the pursuit of overall excellence.  You can access these sheets by clicking on the topics outlined below…

View the Recording of “Unpacking SEL” – a webinar from December 8, 2021 by clicking HERE!

SEL Supports Student Mental Health and Success in School and in Life

Social Emotional Learning - A Most Important Subject!

SEL4NJ Equity Statement

SEL4NJ’s goal of encouraging emphasis on social and emotional learning and skills requires attention to equity. Equity means that that all those subject to violence, other mistreatment or exclusion from opportunity are strongly protected and supported. Recent events have highlighted the ongoing effects of systemic racism and other forms of hate. While our core mission is to help create schools that are safe, supportive and caring, this mission requires addressing such injustice. Only by helping address injustice and inequities everywhere can schools be truly welcoming to all students and communities.

SEL4NJ Equity Statement

COVID-19 SEL Supports

As local, state, national, and international leaders work to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, many communities across the country are experiencing a heightened level of fear, anxiety, and worry during these uncertain times. Parents, educators, youth development professionals, childcare providers, and others are looking for ways to help young people reduce, manage, and cope with the fears, worries and anxieties that might be provoked by this health crisis and continue to develop the social and emotional skills they will need for managing and coping with future life challenges. We’ve compiled a list of resources to support these efforts. Check back periodically, as we will be updating the list.

SEL Broadly Defined

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

 

Increasingly SEL has become a coordinating framework for how educators, families, and communities partner to promote students’ social, emotional, and academic learning.

 

When we refer to SEL, we are including systematic efforts to promote any or all of the following areas: social and emotional development, character development, 21st century skills, workforce readiness, employability skills, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), mindfulness, grit, growth mindset, whole child development, moral development, positive youth development, restorative justice, behavioral skills, positive climate and culture, and caring schools and communities.

National Findings on SEL Impact

Educators Value SEL

Teachers are calling for schools to prioritize integrating SEL learning practices and strategies.

Principals Value SEL

Principals say SEL is essential, but want more guidance, training and support to teach these skills effectively.

Economic Value of SEL

On average, for every $1 invested in SEL programming, there is a return of $11.

Aspen Report on SEL

On January 15, the Aspen Institute issued a report on the importance SEL in educating children for a lifetime of success.