For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Hull Public Schools Focus on Social-Emotional Learning

HULL — Superintendent Michael Devine announces that Hull Public Schools, as part of its district goals, is placing a focus on the development of social-emotional learning in grades kindergarten through 12.

In 2010, as part of the state’s bullying prevention law, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provided guidelines for schools to implement social-emotional learning into their curriculum.

Through this curriculum, children acquire the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to:

• Recognize and manage their emotions
• Demonstrate caring and concern for others
• Establish positive relationships
• Make responsible decisions
• Constructively handle challenging social situations

“These are essential skills for success and happiness not just in school but in the workplace and in one’s personal life,” Superintendent Devine said. “Schools have a duty to help students learn how to disagree and work through problems appropriately.”

Throughout the 2017-18 school year, all teachers and administrators are reading “Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom” by Dr. William Ribas, Dr. Deborah Brady and Jane Hardin. The book is designed to allow teachers to see opportunities to incorporate social and emotional learning into the work they already do every day.

In addition to reading the book, principals will be facilitating multiple conversations with their teachers and staff about what is contained in the book and how it can be implemented with students.

Dr. Brady will also visit Hull schools to work with faculty on Nov. 6 during a professional development day as a way of deepening teachers’ knowledge of social-emotional learning and to provide a common language that can be used for instruction throughout the district.

“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Brady work with our faculty to further develop and improve our social-emotional teaching techniques,” Assistant Superintendent Judith Kuehn said. “When students feel safe and supported in the classroom, they are much more likely to grow academically.”

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