Morning meetings boost social-emotional learning

One of Eastern York School District’s main focuses this school year was social-emotional learning (SEL). SEL is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. It is deeply ingrained in the way students and adults interact both in the classroom and out of it, and helps provide children with equitable, supportive and welcoming learning environments.

One initiative the district put into place to help address SEL was the concept of morning meetings. Morning meetings are an engaging way to start each day, build a strong sense of community, and set students up for success socially and academically. Each morning, students and teachers have a meaningful conversation around a daily “provocation.” For example, during National Bullying Prevention Month in October, students discussed times they have witnessed bullying, been bullied or helped stop bullying. During remote learning, the meetings were conducted via Google Meet. In a district video, teachers and students expressed that they enjoyed the meetings and the interaction they provide and the opportunity to get to know one another.