~High School~ SEL & Wellness

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a term for the way children acquire social and emotional skills. It includes things like managing difficult emotions, making responsible decisions, handling stress, setting goals, and building healthy relationships.

SEL has five main skills: self-awareness, social awareness, responsible decision-making, self-management, and relationship skills. Specific topics that schools often teach include identifying feelings, considering other people’s perspectives, and brainstorming solutions to problems.

Parents can't help build kids' SEL skills at home by helping kids identify their feelings and learn to manage them. Parents are their child’s first teachers, and how they model and reinforce SEL competencies at home is essential to kids’ social-emotional development. And if they work in partnership, families, and schools can learn from each other about what works best for each individual child.

School attendance is a powerful predictor of student outcomes. In fact, irregular attendance can be a better predictor of whether students will drop out of school before graduation than test scores, according to the US Department of Education.

The correlation between attendance and dropout rates has important ramifications that go beyond the classroom. Compared to their peers who graduate, students who fail to complete their high school education are more likely to live in poverty, suffer poor health, and become involved in the criminal justice system.

Strategies for Parents

Parents who are concerned that their child has a problem with school attendance can employ several strategies:

• Talk with the child. Conversations are the first step to understanding root causes and working toward a solution.
• Contact the school. Teachers, counselors, and administrators may be able to provide additional information that helps determine what is causing a child to miss school. Contacting the school also starts a conversation that can be mutually beneficial, and it demonstrates engagement.
• Consider an evaluation for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. Both programs can provide special accommodations and support for students who are struggling with disabilities.
• Set attendance goals with the child. Creating a plan and tracking progress can encourage better attendance and provide opportunities for conversations and support. Simple steps such as making sure a child gets enough sleep and taking steps to prepare for school the day or night before can also be effective.

1. Make a to-do list every day

Put the most important tasks at the top, even if they're things you dread, and tackle them first. Don’t forget to list things you want to do so you have items to look forward to. Try motivating yourself with a reward if you complete everything on your list.

2. Keep your work with you

This way, you can get something done if you have extra time, such as while you're on the bus or waiting for an appointment.

3. Don't be afraid to say no

It's OK to say “no” if a friend asks you to go to a movie one night, but you have a test the next morning. Instead, find a time that works for both of you to see the movie.

4. Find your productive time

Are you a morning person or a night person? You'll be more efficient if you work when you're at your best.

5. Create a dedicated study time

One of the most important time management tips for high school students is to set up a time devoted only to studying or homework. Shut off your phone. Respond to calls or texts only when your work is finished. Texting or engaging online during this time is distracting.

6. Budget your time

Figure out how much time you usually spend on your activities. Then create a weekly schedule to follow. Determine how much free time you have before you add any commitments. And remember to schedule time to relax.

7. Don't get sidetracked

If you find that you're wasting time on unimportant things, you need to stop, check your to-do list, and get back to what's at the top. You may be procrastinating because you need to figure out how to move forward on a school project. If that's the problem, check with your teacher to clear things up so you can get moving.

8. Get a good night's sleep

Your brain needs rest to perform at its peak. If it's time to sleep, put the things you still need to accomplish on the next day's to-do list, and go to bed.

TCHATT provides telemedicine or telehealth programs to school districts to help identify and assess the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents and provide access to mental health services. Cuero ISD is proud to be part of this program that helps students get access to mental health treatment and resources. This program is free for students and is available throughout the year, even in the summer. If you would like more information about TCHATT, you can visit their website https://tcmhcc.utsystem.edu/tchatt/ or contact Lacy Timpone at ltimpone@cueroisd.org.

Ruby Rodriguez, M.Ed. ~ Director of Special Programs

Lacy Timpone, M.Ed., LPC ~ School Climate Specialist

Courtney Kalinowski, M.S., LPC ~ School Climate Specialist

Kathy Scott, LMSW~ School Climate Specialist

Website: https://www.cueroisd.org/
Location: 960 E Broadway St, Cuero, TX, USA
Phone: 361-275-1900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cueroisd