Thank you to those who were able to join us on August 10
th for YDEKC’s 3
rd annual
Whole Child, Whole Day: A Social Emotional Learning Symposium at Highline College. We are thrilled by the overwhelming enthusiasm for this year’s symposium and happy to report that event attendance nearly doubled! Over 300 educators and system-level leaders in the K-12 and youth development fields came together to reflect and strengthen their ability to create equity-based learning environments that support the whole child across the whole day, especially for children and youth of color in the Road Map region.
Topics from the event included: Trauma-Informed Practices, Youth Voice Leadership, & Organizing, Centering Racial Equity, SEL Skills Development, and Whole Child/SEL System Building. Our keynote conversation with Regional Teacher of the Year Denisha Saucedo and National Teacher of the Year Mandy Manning, facilitated by Youth Leader and YDEKC Policy Research Assistant Hikma Sherka, anchored the day by sharing their experiences in the classroom, strategies for intentional relationship-building, and the crucial role that adults play in creating inclusive spaces where every child feels valued and welcomed.
“Every kid has such potential, has the world in front of them. And teachers get and have to show them that they’re worthy of love and to believe in themselves.” –Mandy Manning#SELKC
It was a powerful event and we are grateful to all of our staff, volunteers, advisory members, presenters, and attendees for spending a beautiful summer day sharing, learning, and reflecting with us. Please visit our website to access materials, pictures, and resources from the Symposium.
Local News and Resources
Know of local resources geared towards strengthening adult strategies and practices that support social emotional skill development in young people? E-mail mgrife@ydekc.org.
Best Starts for Kids Announces trauma-informed and restorative practices in the school environment awards
Thirty-two awardees were recently awarded BSK grants to expand trauma-informed and restorative practices in schools throughout King County. With a total investment of $19.5 million over three years, these awards to schools, school districts, and community-based organizations will provide school-based programs and opportunities that promote healing and create a school culture and climate that honors the unique strengths of young people. Check out their blog post.
2018 Bridge Conference: Elevate Youth Voice
10/29-30/2018, Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport
Now in its 16th year, School’s Out Washington’s Bridge Conference, will bring together expanded learning professionals to build critical skills and strengthen systems to ensure children and youth have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential both in and out of school. This year’s theme, Elevate Youth Voice, will explore how we can authentically embed practices and strengthen community, state, and national systems that drive equity and support young people in affecting change. Scholarships Available for Washington Licensed School-Age Programs. For more info, visit here. WA State
Facebook Live chat explores youth suicide and mental health
University of Washington College of Education Professor James Mazza, a former president of the American Association of Suicidology and co-author of DBT Skills in Schools: Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents, recently answered questions about youth suicide, mental health issues, and the role of educators during a Facebook Live chat.
How schools can create a positive SEL-friendly school culture
Learn about how the principal, teachers, and students at Hazel Wolf K-8 STEM in Seattle work together to build SEL into their school culture. Check out the article here.
Educators and Race: A Conversation with Author Ijeoma Oluo on Tackling Systemic Racism in U.S. Education
Local author Ijeoma Oluo spoke with the School Library Journal about the roles librarians and educators can play in the education system to better serve youth of color.
End Discriminatory Discipline and Keep Kids in School, Learning
In this Seattle Times article, Professors Angel Fettig and Kathleen Artman Meeker, researchers at the UW Haring Center for Research and Training in Inclusive Education, share their thoughts on the alarmingly high expulsion rates and the disproportionate effect on African American boys and their families.
National News and Resources
Paper Tweets Build SEL Skills- An offline version of Twitter helps with both social and emotional learning and formative assessment.
Check out this Edutopia article on one teacher’s strategy in using an offline Twitter board to build SEL, community building, and formative assessment.
Talking to Parents about Social and Emotional Learning
Learning Heroes recently released a new report, Developing Life Skills in Children: A Road Map for Communicating with Parents, to help schools and organizations better communicate with parents about SEL. Check out their findings. You can also watch a webinar here.
I am Asian American: Uncover the True Diversity of the Asian American Label
You may have heard about the success of films like Crazy Rich Asians and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and how it has sparked an important conversation about Asian American representation. Use the resources in this Teaching for Tolerance edition of The Moment to “ensure your classroom reflects the diversity of this group and to help your Asian American students feel seen year-round—not just in theaters this fall.”
Creating Safe and Welcoming Schools for All Children and Families
Check out Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools website, full of training and resources for elementary school educators to welcome diverse families, create LGBTQ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students.
