August 21, 2023
Good afternoon Bulldog Country 😊 As we kick off our first full week of school, I thought I would use this opportunity to share an overview of the programming we are offering at GES this year to address the social emotional needs of our students. Why SEL? SEL in schools is crucial because it helps students develop essential life skills such as emotional regulation, empathy, communication, and problem-solving. These skills not only enhance students' overall well-being but also contribute to better academic performance, positive behavior, and healthier relationships, setting a strong foundation for their future success and personal growth.
This year, thanks in large part to funding through a Community Partnership Grant, we have plans to put an increased focus on the social emotional well-being of our students. We have chosen a multifaceted approach that targets our entire school community as well as smaller factions of the school community.
Mindful Mornings: The first and primary component of our SEL initiative is Mindful Morning time built into the school day from 8:35-9:00 every single day. During this 25 minute block of time we will focus on nurturing the well-being of our students. The students will engage in social-emotional learning activities that serve to build emotional intelligence, promote empathy, and teach effective communication, coping, and conflict resolution skills.
Bulldog Breakfast Club: Yet another prong of our SEL initiative is The Bulldog Breakfast Club. The BBC is an invitation only program designed to support the social and emotional learning (SEL) needs of students in 4th through 8th grade. This program provides a safe and welcoming space for students to gather before school to enjoy a healthy breakfast while engaging in activities and discussions focused on building strong relationships and developing social-emotional skills. The Bulldog Breakfast Club aims to empower students with the tools they need to navigate complex social situations, manage their emotions, and develop a positive self-image. Through this program, students are encouraged to cultivate empathy, practice active listening, and collaborate with their peers, which helps to foster a positive school culture and a sense of community within the school.
Why is the Bulldog Breakfast Club invitation only? For the program to be successful, it is important to create a welcoming space. The space in which we conduct our program is limited, and we want to ensure that every participant feels comfortable, heard, and valued. By keeping the group size manageable, we can provide the individual attention and support that each child deserves.
Our dedicated staff members play a vital role in making The Bulldog Breakfast Club a meaningful experience. With limited resources, it's essential that we maintain a group size that allows our staff to engage with each child on a personal level, fostering the growth of important social and emotional skills.
Building strong relationships is at the heart of The Bulldog Breakfast Club. By working with a small group of students, we are better served to create an environment where meaningful connections can flourish. Participants can share their experiences, thoughts, and challenges in a close-knit setting, enabling genuine bonds to form.
Our commitment to providing high-quality programming is unwavering. With limited space, staff, and funding, we want to guarantee that every session is impactful and tailored to help our students on their growth journey.
What is the method for deciding who participates in the program? A multitude of things were taken into consideration when deciding participation in the program. We referenced previous conversations with parents about their child(ren) and how we can better support them through the challenges of growing up. We talked about previous conversations with students and their comments on the challenges of growing up and how we can better support them through those challenges. We thought about students who are new to the school community and those who may be quieter in larger settings. The Bulldog Breakfast Club will provide a supportive space for these students to engage, connect, and thrive. While we wish we could accommodate every student, the limited resources necessitate a thoughtful selection process to make the program as effective and beneficial as possible.
Parents of 4th through 8th grade students interested in this program for their child are encouraged to reach out to Kristine Beer at kbeer@ges60.org. While enrollment is limited, we encourage all interested parents to get in touch with us.
SEL Family Nights: Another component of our SEL initiative is sponsoring SEL Family Nights. SEL Family Nights serve to bring families, teachers, and the school community together to focus on helping children develop important social and emotional skills. This year’s SEL Family Nights will be held on Thursday, September 28, and Thursday, February 29, from 6:00-7:30 both nights.
Social Work Services: Kris Fulkerson from Coping 4 Life will continue to serve our school community for the 2023-24 school year. She will provide individual, small group, and whole class sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the school year. Her role entails helping our students and staff cope with any and all challenges that life throws their way. Please let us know if you are interested in having your child work with Ms. Kris this school year.
HOUSE Program: The GES House Program involves every student at our school as each student is placed in 1 of 10 colored Houses at the start of the school year. Each House has representation from PreK-8th grades as well as members of the faculty/staff. The Houses meet at least monthly to engage in activities that reinforce the theme word of the school year. Within the House Program, each student is buddied with another student. The buddies engage in a variety of House activities together throughout the school year. The theme word for the 2023-24 school year is FIERCE - Focused, Independent, Eager, Responsible, Compassionate, Efficient.
While not every SEL initiative targets all students, there really is something for everyone. All GES students will benefit in a multitude of ways from our SEL programming. We are always looking for ways to improve in our efforts to meet the needs of our students. Feel free to share your ideas with us.
Our GES students are lucky to have so many opportunities to develop their social emotional skills. We are grateful for the grant funding we received to make these opportunities possible.
Thank you for your continued support as we try new things in the best interests of the community children.
With warmest regards,
Robin