Lower School SEL Program

On the first day of school, students arrive to their campuses and are warmly greeted by faculty, staff, and administrators.  In the morning on this first day, students are welcomed formally by the faculty and staff during a community meeting. Our goal on these opening days of school is to ensure that all of our students quickly acclimate to their campuses and begin forming relationships with peers and teachers.

Throughout the first week of school, lower school students play games and practice learning each other’s names and unique traits in order to make it easier for everyone to learn each other’s names.

Classroom and school rules, including expected behavior towards others, are generated, modeled and reinforced. 

During the opening weeks of school, homeroom groups participate in various activities to build community.

Recess games are initially organized by recess faculty to facilitate friendships and promote inclusivity and sportsmanship.  As students are given more autonomy to choose their recess activities on a daily basis, faculty and staff are always present to monitor these social moments and ensure that safety and inclusivity are paramount. 

Students participate in activities and discussions that foster and reinforce the School’s values, including kindness, empathy, and respect. 

Kind and caring behaviors are directly taught through our social skills curriculum and reinforced and practiced throughout the day.

Social skills lessons are supported by common language among faculty as well as posters in classrooms, which reinforce values and skills at all times. 

Social studies classes generate age-appropriate discussions about ethical matters that impact people individually, locally, and globally.

Language arts and read aloud texts regularly generate discussions that promote empathy and allow students to practice perspective taking.  Bulletin boards in the hallways are often designed to highlight and share the lessons.  (Bulletin boards relevant to LA )

In non-academic periods and after-school programs, teachers regularly reinforce considerate behaviors and promote good sportsmanship and teamwork.

New student gatherings are organized to ease the transition to Windward.

Short-term, project-based lunch groups are formed to strengthen peer relationships and reinforce prosocial skills. 

Guidance staff are available to meet with students to facilitate problem-solving if needed.

Professional development is provided for faculty and staff on varied topics including inclusivity, behavior management, prosocial behavior, and teasing and bullying. 

The guidance, health and physical education departments develop and deliver health and wellness curricula on growth and development.

An introductory unit on learning disabilities is delivered to the fourth grade. The lessons focus on brain plasticity, learning profiles, self-advocacy skills, and growth mindset.

Each campus holds community meetings on a regular basis to share information on a variety of topics and reinforce school values. 

Student council initiatives encourage community service and compassion toward others. 

Events scheduled throughout the year, such as Make-a-Friend, Be-a-Friend Day and Field Day, promote strong, positive connections among community members and foster a sense of belonging.