School Counselor, Helene Perrucci-Kinsman, has been meeting with students, kindergarten through fifth grade, and working with them on Social - Emotional Learning, SEL.

SEL, Social-Emotional Learning is an education practice that integrates social and emotional skills into school curriculum. With the objective of developing self-awareness, self-regulation and responsible decision making skills, Miss. Helene has been meeting with different classes since the beginning of the year and will continue to do so until the end of the school year.  

Students are learning the science behind their emotions with a brain anatomy lesson. By identifying three parts of the brain, the Amygdala, Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex, students grow their understanding of the roles and impacts biology and chemistry have on their reactions and responses to stressful events or uncomfortable feelings.

Another major component of SEL is the identification and understanding of emotions and physical feelings, and how they are expressed. By learning that no feelings are good or bad, just comfortable and uncomfortable, students are better able to express and manage the uncomfortable feelings and emotions and keep the physical manifestation of those feelings regulated vs. dysregulated. 

Students are also learning the difference between helpful and unhelpful coping skills when trying to regulate themselves.  Helpful coping skills they are learning include breathing techniques, body relaxation strategies and helpful thinking.

If you have any questions about SEL, you can reach out to Miss. Helene.