Overview and Philosophy

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Department at The Girls’ Middle School provides students with the skills necessary to foster the development of strong, healthy, self-aware adolescents. The SEL class meets weekly for all grades. 

The philosophy of SEL is based on a self-science model, which means to educate the whole child. The class provides the time and space for adolescents to build healthy identities, look into their inner lives, and begin to understand themselves, leading to the development of autonomy, central to adolescent development. The framework allows for the creation of a safe space where girls learn that they are supported. The idea of compassion and caring underscores each of the SEL units.

Goals

Self-Awareness/Intrapersonal Skills:

• Students explore and develop their identities.

Social-Awareness/Interpersonal Skills:

• Students demonstrate effective communication skills.
• Students explore their role and understand the importance of taking personal responsibility relating to social change.

Cross-Cultural Competencies:

• Students build on their awareness of diverse ideas and practices found through out human society.
• Students examine their own ethnic heritage.
• Students understand the conflicts inherent in a diverse and global society.

Sexual Education:

• Students see puberty as a series of physical and emotional changes.
• Students understand the physical, emotional, and intellectual aspects of human sexuality.

Drug Education:

• Students understand what a drug is, why people take drugs, and the effects of drugs.