Fostering Social and Emotional Learning in the Lower School

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to a framework that helps children learn skills to help them regulate their emotions and build positive relationships with others. The cornerstone of SEL is teaching kids to become self-aware.

Lower School Guidance Counselor Sarah Jones says, “Selfawareness helps students learn how to identify and comprehend their emotions and to better manage their feelings while boosting their confidence in social situations. In doing so, they can improve their lives in a myriad of ways - from communicating with others to making better decisions.”

At the Lower School, teachers foster SEL by allowing all students from JR K- 5th grade to have Character Education class twice per month. In this class, students are taught character words such as honesty, responsibility, respect, empathy, and many others. Students are taught how to apply these characteristics in their daily lives and how to love and care for their neighbors. The Second Step curriculum also has a bullying prevention program and personal safety unit that is taught as part of the Character Education class.

In their grade level classes, teachers are encouraged to model and look for ways to have conversations with their students about the character word of the month.

Each month, two students from each homeroom are chosen based on these character words to be the “Student of the Month.” These children are then rewarded with a popsicle or ice cream party.

Junior Rotarian Nominees Represent USJ

Congratulations to our six Junior Rotarian Nominees: Ijeoma Oleru, Cassidy Bruno, Zainab Baba, Abe Stonecipher, Mimi Campbell, and Lilly Kate Varino.

As a Junior Rotarian, students learn how Rotary impacts the community. The club selects one Junior Rotarian from each area high school to receive a scholarship. The scholarship recipients represent nine high schools in Jackson. Each student receives $2,000, which goes toward the college of his/her choice. The Rotary Club has been helping students pursue higher education through local scholarships for more than 22 years.