Did you know Colfax Elementary School is a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Cohort School?

This year ​with the support of our district, we began our focus on systemic SEL implementation. We have also created an SEL team that is working to integrate SEL within our school community through intensive professional learning. The goal of these trainings is to strengthen and develop staff skills in the 5 core competencies of SEL so that it can be transferred throughout our classrooms and school community. Colfax is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where students and staff can thrive while developing our self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship, and responsible decision-making skills. This year, we have spent intentional time strengthening our culture and climate, and have implemented SEL quick chats, positive notes for students and staff, team building activities, focused on self-care, and began utilizing the 3 Signature Practices in our daily routines.

What is Social and Emotional Learning? 

SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.​ 

SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. ​

SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.

Source: Casel.org

Colfax Elementary School’s SEL Vision:   At Colfax Elementary School, students and staff will acquire and effectively apply social-emotional skills that foster an inclusive, supportive, organized and respectful learning environment. In efforts to encourage a lifelong pursuit of learning and character development, students and staff will extend the academic experience to incorporate skills relating to self-confidence, self-advocacy, self-awareness, cognitive flexibility, problem solving, relationship building, and growth mindset.

To learn more about SEL, please click here​.