Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Mission Statement
West Springfield Public Schools (WSPS) highlights a commitment to ensuring that students are exposed to safe and healthy learning environments, that they have access to trusted and caring adults, and that they will be prepared to thrive as adults in the 21st century. Among a number of strategic objectives is one that is focused on building the capacity for a continuum of support for all students based on key social-emotional competencies (i.e. self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, responsible decision- making, and relationship skills).
WSPS Emotional Health Supports
West Springfield Public Schools provides the following evidence-based practices in strategies for all students to support emotional wellness and teach skills to be successful both socially and academically.
Tier 1
Core Instruction for All Students
Responsive Classroom Principles and Practices (Grades K-5) Responsive Classroom is a universal approach to teaching social-emotional skills that support safe and supportive classroom environments.
Center for PBIS (Grades Pre-K-12) Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) is a culturally responsive, trauma-informed framework that allows for explicit teaching of prosocial behaviors, and supports school climate and restorative practices to support positive behavior.
Michigan Model for Health (Grades K-12) District Health Curriculum that provides students skills in supporting their mental and physical health and safety. The curriculum is also used to teach students conflict resolution and bullying intervention. The curriculum also provides families with activities and topics to discuss with their children at home.
Tier 2
Tier 2 is short Term Instructional Interventions provided to students based on data and assessment.
Check In Check Out (Grades K-8) Check in Check Out is an evidenced-based program that provides students extra support in teaching and reinforcing positive behavior with family involvement.
Social Skills/Social Emotional Behavioral Groups (Grades K-12): Groups are short-term skill-based focusing on specific skills. These groups are provided by School Adjustment or School Counselors with pre-post assessments to measure progress.
New Heights (in partnership with CHD) (Grades 6-8): New Heights is a program funded by the Department of Health in partnership with the Center for Human Development (CHD). CHD provides two clinical caseworkers that provide group support utilizing DBT In Schools or Botvin Life Skills for referred youth.
Reconnecting Youth (Grades 9-12) Class provided by certified Reconnecting Youth Trainers that support life, emotional skills of referred youth.
Ingnite Peer Mentoring (Grade 9) Ingnite Peer Mentoring supports 9th graders in collaborating with a trained peer mentor to support high school success skills.
Referrals to community providers: Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
Tier 3
Tier 3: High frequency, Intensive Supports for small amount of students.
One-to-one school counseling (Grades Pre-K-12): providing short-term individual school-based that supports students social emotional skills for school. This counseling is not clinical or medical.
Behavior Intervention Plans/BIPs (Grades PreK-12): Provides specific behavioral recommendations and plans for staff and families
Intensive Wrap Around Community Providers: (Referrals through the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line) to support clinical needs
Director
Jennifer Brennan
P: 413-263-3289 x1464
Email: brennan@wsps.org