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SEL In Action at the Butler School

There are many layers to a comprehensive Social Emotional Learning Program. In conjunction, the following layers effectively support students’ social emotional learning:

  • Direct instruction
  • Classroom practices
  • School-wide practices and structures
  • Infusion into the content
  • Events
  • Family engagement

Skill Development and Practice

We have learned that effective, direct instruction and classroom/school-wide practices are the tools which tend to have the biggest impact on student learning.  Second Step has therefore been adopted as our instructional component in grades K-4. This social-competency program addresses the following areas:

  • Skills for Learning
  • Empathy
  • Emotion Management
  • Problem Solving

More information about the Second Step Elementary curriculum can be found at www.secondstep.org/elementary-school-curriculum

School Wide Practices and Routines

In addition to the direct instruction provided through the Second Step curriculum, our staff has agreed to consistently utilize schoolwide and classroom practices in an effort to enhance students’ SEL skills. These practices include the following:

  • School-wide “Bucket-Filling”: classrooms furnished with buckets that get filled and in turn fill our school bucket every Friday for acts of kindness and following our 3Rs.
  • School Announcements and Pledge of Allegiance
  • Mindful Moment: Each Monday morning, the school announcement includes a mindfulness practice.  Students and staff in every classroom participate in this brief practice at the start of the day.  

More information about the Second Step Elementary curriculum can be found at www.playworks.org

Climate and Culture

  • Butler Core Values: Responsible, Respectful, Ready to Learn
  • PBIS - School Marble Bucket
  • Growth mindset concept and language taught at each grade level as well as schoolwide
  • Mindfulness lessons and practices in classrooms
  • Inclusive classrooms - focus on awareness, acceptance, and reflecting diversity in literature and other content
  • Spirit Days
  • Butler Student Leader Corps - A group of 4th grade students demonstrating shared leadership and decision-making in the school
  • Social & Emotional related literature is identified in both school and classroom libraries
  • Color Day: focus on teamwork and cooperation
  • Reading Buddies
  • Jump Start
  • After school enrichment programs
  • Family engagement:
    • Multicultural night
    • Community outreach events
    • Movie night
    • Skate night
    • Fun Run
    • Science Fair
    • Mystery Readers