Building on Success: Elevating Social-Emotional Learning at Edwards-Knox

Dear Edwards-Knox Community:

 

I hope you are all enjoying the remaining weeks of a wonderful and safe summer break. It is a natural time for us to reflect on our achievements from the past school year and eagerly plan for the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

 

One of our primary focuses this past year was to expand our social-emotional learning (SEL) activities across all grade levels. Our goal is to ensure that Edwards-Knox Central School District fosters a positive and welcoming school climate for every student, family and staff member.

 

On many fronts, our team worked diligently to meet and exceed this goal. From special school assemblies to dedicated committees, we are committed to involving everyone in this important work. Below, you will find a summary of our efforts in supporting SEL. While we are proud of the progress we have made, we know that the work does not stop here. Our team is already planning new initiatives and improvements for the coming school year.

 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about our initiatives, please feel free to contact my office at 315-562-2477.

 

Sincerely,

 

Erin E. Woods

Superintendent of Schools

 

Programming

New Programming

  • Career Exploration

Sixth graders traveled to St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility to explore various law enforcement careers. Representatives from St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, St. Lawrence County Emergency Services and New York State Police attended.

  • Social and Emotional Learning Classes & Lesson

Seventh and eighth graders utilized Second Step and Ripple Effects with Social Worker Kristina Manchester. Students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 worked with School Counselor Tricia Storie-Yaeger as needed.

Core Programming

  • Cougar Connections

Throughout the year, students in grades 7-11 have designated times to connect with various teachers and peers. The goal is to help students build meaningful relationships with teachers, ensuring they always have a trusted adult to turn to for support.

  • Restorative Justice

The district continues to implement Restorative Justice practices, focusing on resolving conflicts promptly and constructively as they arise at school.

  • Community Schools

The goal of Community Schools is to establish a comprehensive support system that overcomes the diverse obstacles to student success. This helps enhance educational outcomes and strengthens our school community.

  • Winter Olympics

As a community-building event, students from grades 7-12 come together for a day filled with fun and exciting activities, ranging from tug-of-war to pie-eating contests. This event provides an exciting opportunity for students to bond and spend time together in a unique and enjoyable way.

  • Cougar Day

Cougar Day is an event for students across grade levels to make new connections. Elementary classes are paired up with high school students throughout the day. The day culminates with field day activities and a large communal cookout.

  • Second Step Social Skills Curriculum

This curriculum enhances students' social-emotional learning in grades PK-8 by teaching empathy, emotion management, problem-solving and responsible decision-making. Through engaging, age-appropriate lessons, it fosters a positive classroom environment, helping students build healthy relationships and succeed academically and socially.

Assemblies

  • Pawsitivity Assemblies for PK-6

Each month, an assembly was held for students in grades PK-6 to help celebrate the monthly character strengths and Cougar Club achievements.

  • David Flood

In the fall, David Flood, a motivational speaker, visited Edwards-Knox to present to grades 5-8. His presentation focused on teaching teens dignity, respect and compassion. It also touched on drug and alcohol awareness and suicide awareness and prevention.

  • Steered Straight

In February, Steered Straight presented to students in grades 4-12 about sound, rational decision making. The presentation included a message of reality to help students make positive, informed choices.

  • Jared Campbell

Singer-songwriter Jared Campbell visited Edwards-Knox in February to speak with students in grades K-4. His presentation focused on the importance of positive character, bullying prevention, respect, and recognizing the value of each individual.

  • Brad Hurtig

In March, inspirational speaker Brad Hurtig of Find a Way, spoke to EK students in grades 4-8 about building relationships with adults and using hard work and determination to move forward in life no matter the obstacle.

  • Attaboy

The band Attaboy visited in May to share its message about choices. The band encouraged students to make decisions for themselves and shared personal experiences of benefiting from making positive choices.

Classroom Implementation

  • Health

    • Grades 8 & 10 students are enrolled in Health class with SEL concepts incorporated into the curriculum.

  • Ripple Effects SEL

    • Grade 10 with Counselor during class periods once per month.

  • Second Step

    • Grades PK-6

    • Weekly lesson with daily reinforcement and practice of SEL skills.

  • Hate Speech/Anti-Bullying

    • School Resource Deputy Zachary Montroy presented to students in grades 7-11 in October about hate speech and anti-bullying efforts.

  • See Something, Say Something

    • School Resource Deputy Zachary Montroy and counseling staff presented to students in December about the value of reporting any suspicious or concerning behavior to a trusted adult.

Clubs

  • 4-H Cornell Cooperative Extension Before/After School Program

  • Cooking with Love

  • Elementary Art Club

  • FFA

  • Fitness Center

  • JEDI

  • Sports

  • Yearbook

Committees

  • Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Systems (TCIS) Team

    • Met Monthly During the 2023-24 School Year.

    • See Staff Training

  • Risk & Retention Committee

    • Met Monthly During the 2023-24 School Year.

  • DEI Committee

    • Met Monthly During the 2023-24 School Year.

  • ‘Pawsitvity’ Committee

    • Met Monthly During the 2023-24 School Year.

    • Character Education - Second Step Planning

  • Wellness Committee

    • Met Monthly During the 2023-24 School Year.

Field Trips

Throughout each school year, students are provided with multiple opportunities to attend enriching field trips.

  • Grades PK-6

    • Students in grades PK-6 are brought to locations designed to promote community and educational opportunities, as well as to provide children with the chance to practice positive social skills outside of the school setting.

  • Grades 7-12

    • Students in grades 7-12 are given the opportunity to attend field trips multiple times throughout the year including experience oriented activities with the incorporation of SEL concepts.

Incentives

  • Do The Right Thing

This incentive program is designed to recognize students who have done something outstanding and out of the ordinary. Staff are empowered to take notice of these particular students and nominate them for prizes. For students in PK-6, golden tickets and small prizes are awarded daily and monthly. For students in grades 7-12, a small prize is awarded at the time of the ticket then students are placed in a drawing for a larger prize at the year-end awards assembly.

Outside Agency Visits

  • Renewal House

Representatives from Renewal House, a not-for-profit domestic violence agency in St. Lawrence County, hosted age-appropriate presentations for all students. Sessions included discussions about personal boundaries and the importance of reporting concerns to an adult.

  • Seaway Valley Prevention Council

Educators from the Seaway Valley Prevention Council visited Edwards-Knox to present the results of a school climate survey that was facilitated in the district. They also provided statistics about drug and alcohol use and helped empower students to make positive changes.

  • St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office

School Resource Deputy Zachary Montroy, of the St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, presented to students in grades 6-8 about Internet Safety.

  • St. Lawrence County Health Department

With the help of the St. Lawrence County Health Department, hygiene presentations were provided to fourth graders as well as students in 12:1:1 rooms.

Policies

  • McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for unhoused children and youth. It mandates that schools identify and support students experiencing homelessness, providing them with access to education, transportation and other services needed to succeed academically, regardless of their housing situation.

Staff Training

  • District Trauma Sensitive Team Leader Presentations

During the 2023-24 school year, presentations were conducted for all staff to enhance their understanding of trauma. These sessions emphasized strategies for effectively managing students who have difficulty managing their emotions in the classroom.

  • Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Systems (TCIS)

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Systems (TCIS) is a framework that is implemented at Edwards-Knox that helps educators manage and de-escalate crises with children and adolescents. It focuses on understanding behavior, using preventive strategies and calmly addressing crises to support students' emotional and behavioral needs.