Our team partners with schools to foster safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where every student feels a sense of belonging. We provide ongoing training, coaching, and resources that strengthen relationships and promote a culture of care, equity, and restoration.
We support schools across the District through a wide range of programs and practices, including:
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) tools and strategies for all schools
- Planning and best practices to support positive school climate
- Culturally Responsive Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (CR-PBIS)
- Relationships First (RF) programming
- Schoolwide Social and Emotional Learning initiatives
- School-based youth courts
- Prosocial recess for elementary and middle grades
- Mindfulness and stress-management resources
- Restorative Progressive Discipline training and the Guide to Student Discipline
- Guidance on implementing effective climate practices and procedures
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
The District recognizes that SEL is essential for students’ well-being, academic success, and overall life success. Our team provides a wide variety of resources and tools to help schools develop and nurture the social and emotional competencies of staff and students. All tools and resources are available to schools for free and require little to no PD to implement.
The School District of Philadelphia has adopted CASEL’s 5 social and emotional learning competencies. Check out this video to learn more.
“There is no significant learning without a significant relationship.” Dr. James Comer
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SEL in School (School Leaders & Staff)
We recognize the key importance that schools play in supporting young people’s social and emotional development that goes beyond teaching a set of skills to embedding SEL into every aspect of daily school life. A systemic, school-wide approach to SEL improves the school environment, which results in better social and academic outcomes for students.
School-wide Social and Emotional Learning (SW SEL) is one of three Tier I framework approaches that schools can opt into during the annual school planning process. This approach guides schools through a process to ensure that SEL is strategically and representatively embedded throughout the school community.
For implementing schools, please visit the OSCC HUB for resources.
SELebration Days are important opportunities to increase student attendance, community connections, and SEL Skill-building by providing hands-on, experiential activities designed to deepen relationships for students in school.
For school staff, please visit the OSCC Hub for resources to implement.
There are many ways we can provide students with explicit and integrated opportunities to build their SEL competencies within the classroom. The following are districtwide practices that teachers can utilize to strengthen relationships and students’ self-regulation and decision-making skills.
For school staff, please visit the OSCC Hub for resources to implement.
SEL in School (Parents and Caregivers)
Families are children’s first teachers and essential to promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) throughout a child’s life. When educators and families work together, they can build strong connections with each other that reinforce social and emotional skills developed in the home, in schools, and in their communities.
SEL for our Partners (Out of School-Time; Vendors; Community Members)
We recognize the importance of partner programming and services in the School District of Philadelphia.Our partners’ programming provides critical opportunities for our students to engage in enriching and meaningful experiences where students get to explore key aspects of their identities, interests, values, and talents. While some enrichment programs may have goals specifically focused on developing SEL skills, all enrichment programs are in a position to reinforce these skills. We believe that the key to a supportive environment for all students is true partnership between schools and providers so that partner programs and services can operate as an aligned extension of our students’ learning environment.
Resources