1. The Second Annual School Mental Health Conference Families. Schools, and Communities: Working Together to Improve Student Mental Health SEL is a Collaborative Affair/ Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) Presented by: Caryn Curry and Michael Knowles June 27, 2012 Lisle, IL

2. Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can make for our children. -Sitting Bull

3. What is SEL A PROCESS FOR ACQUIRING SKILLS TO: Recognize and manage emotions Demonstrate caring and concern for others Establish positive relationships Make responsible decisions Handle challenging situations effectively Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, 2005

4. What are the Core SEL Competencies? social & emotional learning Self-awareness Social awareness Relationship Skills Responsible decision- making Self- management Forming positive relationships, working in teams, and dealing effectively with conflict Making ethical, constructive choices about personal and social behavior Managing emotions and behaviors to achieve one’s goals Showing understanding and empathy for others Recognizing one’s emotions and values as well as one’s strengths and limitations Source: Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning

5. Why is Parent Engagement Important? “The research is abundantly clear: nothing motivates a child more than when learning is valued by schools and families/community working together in partnership… These forms of [parent] involvement do not happen by accident or even by invitation. They happen by explicit strategic intervention.” --Michael Fullan (1997a, pp.34-48). Broadening the concept of teacher leadership. In S.Caldwell (Ed.), Professional development in learning-centered schools. Oxford, OH: National Staff Development Council.

6. Individual Strategies for Parent Engagement Consistently model SEL competencies Remember that parent engagement is different than parent involvement Get professional development about parent engagement Reach out to parents proactively and positively Meet parents where they are, figuratively and physically

7. Individual Strategies for Parent Engagement Communicate expectations clearly Create two-way communication flow Create assignments that involve parent-child conversation Ask what parent needs to support child’s learning Assume positive intent

8. School and District Strategies for Parent Engagement Consistently model SEL Competencies Remember that parent engagement is different than parent involvement Use pre-existing opportunities to engage parents Embed SEL and parent engagement in district/school policies and planning

9. School and District Strategies for Parent Engagement Reach out to parents proactively and positively Provide parent buddies for parents new to school Ask what parents need to support their children’s learning Ask parents what they expect out of school/district; ask what they are willing/able to do to help meet those expectations

10. Strategies for Community Engagement Develop community service and service learning opportunities for students Invite community members to volunteer Make building available to community Reach out to local businesses

11. Resources Websites Families-Schools www.families-schools.orgwww.families-schools.org Illinois Parents.org www.illinoisparents.orgwww.illinoisparents.org Parent and Educator Partnership www.pepartnership.orgwww.pepartnership.org National Network of Partnership Schools www.partnershipschools.org www.partnershipschools.org Illinois PTA www.illinoispta.orgwww.illinoispta.org Harvard Family Research Project www.hfrp.orgwww.hfrp.org George Lucas Educational Foundation-Edutopia www.edutopia.org (great videos)www.edutopia.org National School Climate Center www.schoolclimate.org Click Parentswww.schoolclimate.org Healthy Children www.healthychildren.org Search: a. social and emotional; b. resiliencewww.healthychildren.org Raising Caring, Confident, Capable Kids www.rccck.netwww.rccck.net

12. Resources Books Beyond the Bake Sale: The Essential Guide to Family/School Partnerships, by Anne Henderson et al School-Family Partnerships for Children’s Success, by Evanthia N. Patrikakou et al Other Publications School-Family Partnership Strategies to Enhance Children's Social, Emotional, and Academic Development, CASEL et al; www.casel.org School-Family Partnership Strategies to Enhance Children's Social, Emotional, and Academic Development Engaging Families in Safe Schools, Healthy Students Initiatives: (2011), National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, 2001 www.promoteprevent.org Engaging Families in Safe Schools, Healthy Students Initiatives: (2011) www.promoteprevent.org Parents and Learning, Sam Redding www.schoolclimate.org/parents/documents/Parentsand Learning.pdf www.schoolclimate.org/parents/documents/Parentsand Learning.pdf

13. Resources Tip Sheets/Fact Sheets/Brochures for Parents 10Things to Do at Home www.casel.org/in-schools/tools-for-familes/www.casel.org/in-schools/tools-for-familes/ Brochures: Children’s Developmental Milestones, Ages 0-5, K-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12 www.i-kan.org/Resources/SELsnapshots.htmlwww.i-kan.org/Resources/SELsnapshots.html SEL Parent Brochure: Raising Caring, Confident, Capable Children www.icmhp.org/icmhpproducts/selbrochures.html www.icmhp.org/icmhpproducts/selbrochures.html SEL Parent Newsletters www.icmhp.org/initiatives/selresources.htmlwww.icmhp.org/initiatives/selresources.html IL PTA SEL Resolution www.illinoispta.org/adobe.files/Resolution%20on%20Social%20Emoti onal%20Learning.pdf www.illinoispta.org/adobe.files/Resolution%20on%20Social%20Emoti onal%20Learning.pdf Parent Fact Sheet: SEL at Home www.schoolclimate.org/parents/documents/FactSheet_s www.schoolclimate.org/parents/documents/FactSheet_s Pondering Points www.charmmdfoundation.org/Pondering_Point.html www.charmmdfoundation.org/Pondering_Point.html

14. Resources Guides and Toolkits Teaching the Teachers: Preparing Educators to Engage Families for Student Achievement, Harvard Family Research Project, 2001 www.hfrp.org Teaching the Teachers: Preparing Educators to Engage Families for Student Achievement, www.hfrp.org Working Together: School, Family, and Community Partnerships – Toolkit Center for the Education and Study of Diverse Populations, New Mexico Highlands University, www.cesdp.nmhu.eduwww.cesdp.nmhu.edu Activities Parents and Teachers Talking Together (PT3) www.pepartnership.org Click Resources then Key Topicswww.pepartnership.org Parent Cafes www.strengtheningfamiliesillinois.org Click Parents then Parent Cafeswww.strengtheningfamiliesillinois.org Pondering Points www.charmmdfoundation.org/Pondering_Points.html www.charmmdfoundation.org/Pondering_Points.html

15. Presenter Caryn Curry SEL Awareness Coordinator Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership 312-368-9070, x318 ccurry@mhai.org www.rccck.net