School Climate - Upcoming Events

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CT State Capital SEL Presentation Jan 18, 2022

The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity at the Connecticut State Capital

CT State Capital SEL Presentation

On January 18, 2022 The Westbrook School Climate Students presented to the Social Emotional Learning subcommittee of The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity at the Connecticut State Capital. The committee will recommend policy and practices in the upcoming legislative session and we are proud to have shared our SEL student based experiences and knowledge in working with students as resources to enhance Social Emotional Learning in schools.

Introduction to Teen Leadership and School Climate

Course Description

Teen Leadership Independent Study School Climate

Teen Leadership School Climate - 641960

 


Students who have completed School Climate training or wish to participate in this training are eligible for enrollment through advisor recommendation. This course is designed to work with students as resources through partnerships with adult school community members (educators, community members and parents/guardians) to help follow and live through the adopted National School Climate Standards. Participants will learn how to be critical drivers of school climate improvement and will be taught how to demonstrate their knowledge of climate while modeling how students can and should be working with adults as genuine resources/partners in this work.  Students will formulate their current thinking on creating schools that are safe for all, schools that foster high quality relationships among each and every school community member, adult and student alike.

 The School Climate Independent Study takes on aspects of Experiential Learning.

Students enrolled in this class will be faced with the potential to develop knowledge, skills, and values from direct experiences outside a traditional academic setting through various presentations. The School Climate Study contains the following elements:

Reflection and critical analysis
Opportunities for students to take initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for the results
Opportunities for students to engage intellectually, creatively, emotionally, socially, or physically
A designed learning experience that includes the possibility to learn from natural consequences, mistakes, and successes

 (The above will be demonstrated through activity based presentations within WHS, WMS or scheduled presentations – TBD.)

Prerequisite: Teen Leadership, School Climate Training
Credit: ½
Grades: 10-12
Weight: 1.0

 Materials – TL 5.0 Consumable Textbook, Steno Pad & double pocket folder.

Grading

Steno Pad weekly checks
Test from TL 1
Research Project and/or scheduled Presentations
PowerPoint on Project/Presentations
Videos/DVD’s – assignment and/or class discussion after each
Class Speeches (Textbook or Project Generated)
Class Participation
Emotional Intelligence Representation
Daily Class Assignments

Expectations – Students represent the “IPOSSESS” model of Leadership!

  September 13, 2017

2021-2022 and 2019-2020 School Climate Activities

  • Grade 6 3 D's Presentation

    On December 23rd,2021- School Climate students presented to the entire sixth grade on the 3-D's for being an upstander and having a voice. Adapted from the college level, the 3-D's stand for Direct, Delegate and Distance as tools to having a voice for any situation. After a descriptive slide show, students broke into groups to create supporting skits for the 3-D's which were shared to their class. Discussions took place about the real-life situations they encounter where these tools could be utilized and stickers were distributed to all students in the sixth grade as a reminder of the event. All the 6th graders were receptive to the concept and embraced the activity through their real-life skits and representations.

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Grade 3 Empathy and Kindness presentation

    On December 9th 2021- a presentation for all 3rd Graders took place. We needed to present virtually because of the rise in COVID cases. With many technical difficulties an Empathy and Kindness presentation occurred over a Google Meet. Although this virtual presentation was very difficult, the students did learn a lot, seemed engaged and overall it was a great experience for the members of the TL School Climate Class and the grade 3 participants. Students interacted with play doh creations of visualizations representing emotions and feelings. Along with discussions, a video was shown to engage and promote connection to the SEL intended goals

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Grade 5 3 D's Presentation

    On November 23, 2021 School Climate students presented to the entire fifth grade on the 3-D's for being an upstander and having a voice. Adapted from the college level, the 3-D's stand for Direct, Delegate and Distance as tools to having a voice for any situations. After a descriptive slide show, students broke into groups to create supporting skits for the 3-D's which were shared to their class. Discussions took place about the real-life situations they encounter where these tools could be utilized and stickers were distributed to all students in the fifth grade as a reminder of the event.

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Grade 2 Kindness presentation

    On November 18, 2021 the students from TL School Climate presented to the Second grade  focusing on the importance of “putting yourself in other’s shoes” and teaching students about kindness. Students are engaged in the presentation through different activities such as expressing emotions through building with playdough and filling in sketches of students with different acts of empathy. This allows students to participate in hands on activities that help bridge the concepts taught in our presentations with their own personal experiences. Students can then apply the lessons taught to future situations they may encounter.

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Grade 7 3 D's Presentation

    On November 3rd, 2021- School Climate students presented to the entire seventh grade on the 3-D's for being an upstander and having a voice. Adapted from the college level, the 3-D's stand for Direct, Delegate and Distance as tools to having a voice for any situation. After a descriptive slide show, students broke into groups to create supporting skits for the 3-D's which were shared to their class. Discussions took place about the real-life situations they encounter where these tools could be utilized and stickers were distributed to all students in the seventh grade as a reminder of the event. In the past, we typically presented this strategy to 8th graders however the mindset through our SEL training made us realize that this tool can benefit a student at any age. 

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Grade 4 Empathy and Kindness Presentation

    On October 19th, 2021 -The School Climate Class broke into 6 groups and presented to the entire fourth grade on Empathy and Kindness.Students were engaged in the presentation through different activities such as expressing emotions through visualizations with playdough and filling in sketches of students with different acts of empathy. This allowed  students to participate in hands-on activities that help bridge the concepts taught in our presentations with their own personal experiences. Students can then apply the lessons taught to future situations they may encounter.

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Grade 8 3 D's Presentation

    On October 4th, 2021 -School Climate students presented to the entire eighth grade on the 3-D's for being an upstander and having a voice. Adapted from the college level, the 3-D's stand for Direct, Delegate and Distance as tools to having a voice for any situation. After a descriptive slide show, students broke into groups to create supporting skits for the 3-D's which were shared to their class. Discussions took place about the real-life situations they encounter where these tools could be utilized and stickers were distributed to all students in the eighth grade as a reminder of the event.

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Grade 8 High school Presentation

    On September 29th, 2021 - TL School Climate Class presented to the 8th graders at the Westbrook Middle School regarding Westbrook High School offerings, elective options and the newly formed Career Pathways along with all the sports, clubs and group opportunities. The purpose was to have a transparent presentation of all the resources, benefits and assistance available in Westbrook High. The thought was to better acquaint students in grade 8 about high school in Westbrook with first hand knowledge from students. All presenters were enrolled in grade 10 and able to best represent the experiences they have endured over the past year.

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Covid 19 Virtual Offerings to students

    All Teen Leadership/School Climate classes put together lists of pertinent information for students in grades 9-12 and posted them on Google Class pages in April with the hope of providing some SEL considerations on the home front. On May 15th TL students met with middle school students and reviewed the postings for their perusal as well.

    Hello Everyone - Teen Leadership put together the following items for you to peruse and engage as you see appropriate. The goal is to share some items that you may find interesting during these times.

    1. Some Good News (SGN), created by Actor and Director John Krasinski is a youtube platform created for the sole purpose to connect the world during these difficult times by spreading good news. The host, John himself, makes video episodes featuring people who shared good news with the hashtag #somegoodnews as well as other celebrities and important guests. The show truly has impacted people across the globe and helped many to find joy and comfort in simple acts and positivity. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOe_y6KKvS3PdIfb9q9pGug

    2. This is a good article for what you were looking for! It shares other teen's experience with quarantine and what they have been doing to stay busy. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/rachelysanders/teens-teenagers-at-home-isolation-coronavirus-school

    3. Here is a website and photo examples of ways you can spread kindness and positivity in the world during this time. https://mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/random-acts-kindness

    4. Hey!! Looking for something fun to do? A new way to connect with others while sharing a meal? Try a virtual dinner! All you need to do is find a friend, set up a time to eat, and FaceTime. It's a fun way to share dinner with friends (or family ) while practicing social distancing.

    5. This video shows a different and hopeful perspective of COVID-19 and allows you to visualize an end to the isolation . Along with this it shows the world after this pandemic as being stronger and closer and kinder. This video can help give people hope and encouragement to look at the positives and really live in the moment. It lets people focus on themselves and their close family and friends. It brings people together as a community regardless of their race, gender, or status. This video highlights the hope that their is for the near future. https://youtu.be/pihZ-LQGlqo

    6. Activity list to do for all grade levels: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HFLXh9yCvxdVv9d3_uHWGrXGworucmR2GMVZZv2yams/edit?usp=sharing

    7. Watch a movie with your friends or family virtually. This is a great way to connect with people you don’t get to see in a creative and entertaining way. - Create a zoom meeting, invite your friends, share your screen and enjoy the movie - Netflix Party is an extension that allows people to watch netflix movies together - Or hit play on the movie at the exact same time and facetime during it - Write letters to family members or friends letting them know you’re thinking of them. This could make someone's day!

    8. John Krasinski, an famous actor, has created a social media platform where he shares the positive things people are doing during this time. He calls his show “Some Good News.” His show airs every Sunday, usually with different special guests who co host with him. Last Sunday he did something very unique. Last week's episode went out to all high school students who are missing their proms. He hosted virtual prom where musical guests like the Jonas Brothers and Chance the Rapper joined in on the fun. Billie Ellish even popped in for a surprise performance. He streamed this live so anyone could enjoy it. An easy way to lift our spirits in surrounding yourself with positivity, this definitely is a way to do so! Here’s the video from this week: min 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQLi2GYVULc

    9. This really cool video of a bunch of students getting together and singing during the outbreak. The Chino Valley Unified School District's annual Choral Festival was canceled, so the students all sang their individual a cappella portion of "Over the Rainbow" in their separate homes, and put them together to create this masterpiece. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSPG186HvMg

    10. During our online Teen Leadership class, we came across a very insightful and informative article by UNICEF that we thought would benefit us all. It talks about the struggles that all teens are going through during this time and the outlets we can take in order to move through this. These six strategies are relatable in many aspects of our lives as we come to terms with these changes and they inform us about what we can do to practice self-care and look after our mental health. Please click the link below to read the article. At the end of the article, scroll down to the bottom of the page to take the ten question quiz regarding information about COVID-19, test your knowledge!

    https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/how-teenagers-can-protect-their-mental-health-during-coronavirus-covid-19

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Grades 1, 2 and 4 Empathy/SEL Presentations

    On 1/29/20, 1/31/20, 2/4/20, 3/6/20, and 3/20/20 Teen Leadership/School Climate student groups presented lessons on Empathy/SEL to the 1st, 2nd and 4th graders. Students discussed feelings that everyone may have on the inside and not be seen then created visualizations of feelings through a play-dough activity. Additional sessions are being arranged to further take the topic of Empathy to a higher degree through skit development and presentations. The goal is to enhance Social Emotional Learning outcomes. 

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Presentation EASTCONN'S Arts at the Capital Theater

    On February 19th,  students from TL/School Climate (Madison Liberatore, Olivia Hartzell, Alex Young, Zack Zanzalari, Mack Marshall and Andrew Livingstone) presented at the EASTCONN'S Arts at the Capital Theater in Willimatic, CT. The theme of promoting SEL outcomes through School Climate training and development was the topic of the event. WHS students shared their first hand training and experiences in this area through the focus of our school district over the past six years of "Working with Students as Resources". The intent is for WHS to continue working with EASTCONN at the level where we can both learn from each other and continually bring forth  positive SEL outcomes in our respective schools. 

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Westbrook High School Red Flag Campaign

    On February 13th,  Westbrook High School hosted their first school-wide Red Flag Campaign since 2010.  This event took place through the efforts of Madison Liberatore and her studies over the past four years of domestic violence and sexual assault through Teen Leadership/School Climate. As a Senior Project, she wished to resurrect the campaign for WHS students to better understand what communities face across the nation. WHS Teen Leadership students have been working with the Southern Connecticut State University Red Flag Campaign throughout the past five years to better understand how to promote awareness and pro active measures of prevention and intervention. 

    "Research indicates that in 1 in 5 college students experience dating violence. The Red Flag Campaign uses a bystander intervention strategy to address and prevent sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking on college campuses. The campaign encourages friends and other campus community members to say something when they see warning signs ("red flags") for sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking in a friend’s relationship. The Campaign is a project of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and was created by college students, college personnel, and community victim advocates." - TheRedFlagCampaign.org

    One of the missions of this project is to familiarize Westbrook High School students with some of the social challenges and necessary decision making on college campuses rather than waiting for graduation from high school to hear of this for the first time. The bystander intervention proposes techniques for everyone and WHS students were given ways to recognize unhealthy relationships and what to do when one is recognized. Students were given a special  imprinted card with the local and national hotline numbers for their perusal.

    Guest speakers included: Melissa Kissi, MSW, AIXA Certified Victim/Survivor Advocate Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention Specialist form SCSU and      Alyssa Martin, MA, New Horizons Community Educator from the Community Health Center, Inc in Middletown, CT. 

    Westbrook High School is the first high school to join The Red Flag Campaign with colleges and universities across the country. For more information visit theredflagcampaign.org 

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • WMS/WHS Student School Climate Consortium

    On February 11th, WHS School Climate students met with a group of WMS students to begin a collaborative venture of sharing and developing lessons, activities and training  to enhance Social Emotional Learning outcomes. In the photos, students are discussing the 13 Dimensions of School Climate as proposed from the National School Climate Center. The 13 Dimensions are an umbrella for our School Climate ventures and directly correlate the district's annual school climate surveys. The plan is to continue meeting and establish a bond of SEL through "Working with Students as Resources". 

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Westbrook District Climate Council Meeting

    On Wednesday, January 29th students participated in the District Climate Council Meeting where they are working members. Students have been part of this committee since its onset .The Council works together to understand their school community's strengths, as well as areas for improvement. Membership includes administrators, teachers, parents, community and students.

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Wonder Grade 5 Second Round of Presentations Emphasizing SEL through Activity Based Learning

    January 15th & 17th 2020 - School Climate students returned to Ms. Navarro's 5th Grade Classes to complete SEL activities emphasizing the sharing of feelings through play dough visualizations with a conclusion of defining and sharing ways to positively reach out to peers in the school setting. 

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • January 17, 2020 Middle School Planning Meeting

    On Thursday, 1/17/20 Mr. Bialicki, Alex Young, Brooke Millburne and Alyssa Kjos met with Ms. Gallagher and Ms. Ferro from the Westbrook Middle School to discuss a vehicle of ongoing collaboration between the WHS and WMS students with a goal of enhancing SEL. It was decided to schedule meetings between the school climate students of both schools  with a focus of reviewing the school's School Climate Survey results and creating a path to enhance Social Emotional Learning.  The objective is to continue the growth of "Working With Students As Resources". 

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • Teen Leadership School Climate Students present at CAS Elementary Leadership Conference

    On January 6, 2020 four of our WHS School Climate students presented at the Connecticut Association of Schools Elementary Level Leadership Conference held at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. They presented to approximately 100 students during three hour long sessions. The topic "Having A Voice" focused on how students can navigate situations as an upstander through the use of the 3-D's Intervention Process (Direct, Delegate & Distance).  

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • August 27, 2019 Professional Development Workshop Descriptions

    Students presented to teachers from the Westbrook District in this unique opportunity: 

    Workshop Description-

    High School students, adept in School Climate Training and Development, will assist in this workshop reviewing ways to enhance Social Emotional Learning in the classroom setting through a wide array of activities. Hands on participation and collaboration will occur which support these efforts designed for students to increase their understanding of others for positive behavioral outcomes. A review of our district’s school climate results and school surveys will augment the efforts with supportive recent data. Students will share some of their engagements through the years as well as their experience last fall presenting at the NEA/CEA Northeast Aspiring Educators’ Conference. This workshop is relevant for teachers of all levels who wish to participate in experiential learning and is designed to view SEL from the students’ perspective. 

    Target Audience-K-12 Educators, all content areas.

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • The Community Coalition For Children Intergenerational Conference Wednesday October 30, 2019 Mitchell College

    October 30, 2019 - Students presented at the conference listed below in two breakout sessions for middle school male and female participants.

    Chet Bialicki/ WHS
    Teen Leadership/School Climate

    How Social Media Imposes Limitations on Females In Our Society

    This presentation focuses on the subliminal
    messages females receive every day through
    Social Media and how it impacts the way we
    feel about ourselves and our actions towards
    others. Detailed discussion and activities will
    enable participants to better understand
    themselves in relation to daily decision making.
    - Open to Middle School Females and/or
    those that identify as Female

     

    Being Yourself – Pressures from Society that Affect Males

    This presentation focuses on the messages
    males receive every day in Society which
    impacts the way we feel about ourselves and
    our actions towards others. Detailed discussion
    and activities will enable participants to better
    understand themselves and others while
    promoting positive social emotional
    well-being.— Open to Middle School Males
    and/or those that identify as Male

     

    Teen Leadership - School Climate

  • December 19th and 20th 2019 - Grade 5 Wonder Discussion Groups

    Annually, students from TeenLeadership/School Climate hold discussion groups with all students in grade 5 on the book, Wonder and "Choosing Kind". 

    Teen Leadership - School Climate
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2020-2021 Second Semester Teen Leadership 2

Due to Covid-19, in-person presentations were limited. There were eight direct presentations for the 8th graders. Four of the meetings dealt with High School offerings, elective options and the newly formed Career Pathways along with all the sports, clubs and group opportunities. The second group of four presentations focused on being an upstander and "Having A Voice" in all situations by navigating the 3-D's Intervention Process (Direct, Delegate & Distance) as a guide and tool in our everyday lives. This presentation was adapted from college focus  for all incoming freshmen across the country.

In grade 4, three Empathy and Kindness presentations occurred over Google Meets and three Wonder presentations took place for 5th graders also over Google Meets. Virtual presentations were very difficult but the students did learn a lot and overall it was a great experience for the members of the TL2 class and the middle school participants.

Students to present at the CPSEL National Conference

  - 

Baltimore, MD Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel

On May 19, 2020 WHS School Climate students will be presenting in Baltimore, MD at a national SEL conference sponsored by the Center for the Promotion of Social & Emotional Learning. (WHS School Climate was 1 of 50 chosen out of 275 national proposals.)

Link to CPSEL's Workshop descriptions:   

https://selconference.center-school.org/sessions/

 

School Climate Activities - 2018 - 2019 School Year

 

TL School Climate Activities 2018-19

 Westbrook High School

12/4 - School Climate Training

1/31 - Advisory Projects (If only my teacher new…..Positive Affirmation…….Interest Survey.)

3/7   - 21st Century Addiction Assembly

 

Westbrook District - Activities

10/22 - Teacher Presentation at Middle School Climate Training

11/13 - Board of Education Mtg Presentation

11/28 - CSCI Discussion with Supt Ciccone

11/29 & 1/10/19 - DSCCM

3/20, 2/26, 1/11 - Meetings w/MS School Climate Students 

3/21 - DSCCM

3/25 - Superintendent Luncheon (Statewide Regionalization, SHP. Westbrook Community Forum 

                                                 on Vaping, CAFAF Conference)    

3/26, 3/28, 4/1 - 2nd Grade Empathy Presentations

3/29 - Middle School - School Climate Advisory (If only My Teachers Knew)

                                                                    Prior Planning with 8th Grade Student Team - 6 sessions.

3/26, 4/3 - Wonder Presentations Grade 5

4/9 - Superintendent Luncheon (Leslie Carson CTSDE re: Kingsbury School, Waterbury)

5/10, 5/17, 5/22, 5/29 - Daisy Ingraham Grade 1 & 2 Empathy Presentations

5/23 - DSCCM 

5/30 - 7th Grade Presentations Boys & Girls 

 

Community/State Presentations/Collaborations/Consultations

9/26 - Rotary Club, Old Saybrook, CT 

10/21 - NEA New Teacher Presentation, Southbury, CT

10/25 - Southern Ct State University

10/31 - Community Coalition for Children Presentation, Mitchell College

11/5 - Eli Terry MS Presentation, Plymouth, CT 

11/30 - CAS Unified Presentation

1/11 - CAS Elementary Leadership

3/12 - Masonicare, Chester, CT 

3/22 - East Haven High School

4/9 - Woodbury Middle School, Woodbury, CT (Students & Advisors) 

4/9 - Har-Bur Middle School, Burlington, CT (Administrators & Teachers)

5/11 - Project Courage Volleyball Tournament/Shoreline Kitchen

 

Professional Activities/Publications

12/19 - Yale Public Safety Mtg

 12/21 - National School Climate Center visit in Manhattan, NYC (Darlene Faster now

                                                    Northeast Region Manager at Sandy Hook Promise (SHP)                                                                                                                                            

 Fall 2018 - Aspen Institute - Case study and featured on the Learning is Social and Emotional blog on Education Week’s site. (October 2018)

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues.

 1/8 Prichard Committee, Lexington, KY (Rachel Belin Director, Prichard Committee Student Voice Team Tel Conference re: School Climate/Students as Resources Publication)

The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit citizen’s advocacy group. The Committee continuously studies priority issues, informs the public and policymakers and engages citizens, business leaders, families, students, and others in a shared mission to move Kentucky to the top tier of all states for education excellence and equity for all children.

 2/12 Anne Hamilton Interview ACLU re: Vaping and 21st Century Addictions

 1st Semester - CT State Dept of Education, Jo Ann Freiberg PH.D Education Consultant  - Assisted w/ rewriting Student School Climate Presentation & Students as Resources Activity

 F.J. Kingsbury School, Waterbury, CT – K-5 with enrollment of 541

220 Columbus Blvd. Waterbury, CT  06710 (203) 574-8172 Erik Brown, Principal 

(Visit/Interview/Videotape the Restorative Practices Model that has proven successful)

 CSDE Consultant Leslie Carson in the Turnaround Office with CSDE: (860) 713-6796

 

2019 - 2020 Community/State Presentations/Collaborations/Consultations

Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families (CAFAF) Conference,   

Stamford, CT

This year 5/20-5/22 Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland

 

School Climate Activities - 2017-18 School Year

                    Students worked with as Resources in Westbrook High School

  1. June 22nd Heritage Hotel, Southbury, CT -CAS Summer Leadership Institute – Students presented with Patricia Ciccone, Superintendent of Schools in 2 Breakout Sessions “Creating a Restorative Framework for Students: A Paradigm Shift from Reaction to Response and Engaging Students in Community Building”. Students focused on how Westbrook works with students as resources rather that objects or recipients. This workshop was supported by CAS, CSDE, Clifford Beers Clinic and SERC. 2 breakout sessions enrolled approximately 50 adult professionals.

 

  1. July 7th Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence, New Haven – Students attended a meeting with Seth Wallace and other participants of the Center of Emotional Intelligence to plan for the presentation on August 18th. – “Leading With Kindness Summer Summit” at the capitol.

In the morning, we are holding two 30 minute blocks for student-led breakout sessions, as examples of the kinds of projects students can create to build positive school climate. Students will focus on how Westbrook works with students as resources rather that objects or recipients followed with an activity utilized in the School Climate Training sponsored by the CT State Department of Education.

 

  1. August 18th CT State Capital – “ Leading With Kindness Summer Summit” Sponsored by the Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence and the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, Steven Hernandez, Esq. Executive Director.

Students presented a workshop “Working with students as resources in the school setting”.

            Building positive school climate and social emotional learning requires districts to work with        students as resources rather than objects or recipients in the school and classroom setting.   Students from Westbrook High School will present first hand experiences on how their district's       focus on working with students has resulted in positive changes not only within the school but          with the individuals themselves. Participants will experience a hands on activity identifying the             foundation of improving the quality and climate of school life through the students' perspective   and obtain ideas for focus in their respective schools.

  1. Superintendent Luncheon to discuss School Climate Results – October 3rd 11:15 am A core group of students will be meeting with Superintendent Ciccone to discuss the recent results of our district’s School Climate Survey results along with an action plan of working with elementary and middle school students in regard to improving relationships. An area of focus so far are the responses of the “Sense of Social Emotional Security” along with those associated with “Social Media” from parents, students and teachers.

 

  1. Westbrook High School Climate Teams – We presently have gone through the entire high school student body list and identified over one-third of the population in grades 10, 11 and 12 who have been through school climate training. As a result we are organizing TEAMS of students who can assist with the various presentations and opportunities we are about to review for the 2017-18 School Year.

 

  1. Middlesex County Community Foundation: - November 1, 2017 Mitchell College, New London.- , “How Social Media and Diversity Affect Our Lives: CCC’s 2017 Intergenerational Conference.” We submitted a proposal to this organization to present a 50 minute workshop on the topics of social media and diversity. Our topic description is as follows: “The Limitations Society Places on Girls”

- This workshop will identify some of the stereotypes that society places on females which potentially can hold them back from optimum achievement. Partakers will focus on these stereotypes through various social media and the resulting personal constraints. The goal is for participants to develop an action plan and move forward to make a difference not only in themselves, but their schools and community at large.

 

  1. NEASC Presentation: - Sunday Oct 15, 2017 – A team of students will present for approximately 10 minutes on our school and community connection. We plan to start with the Community School Climate Survey and how that led us to our present relationships and dealings.

 

  1. NEASC Tour: On October 16th at 7:50am a group of us will give the NEASC Visiting

               Committee a tour of Westbrook High School for approximately 40 minutes and use this            opportunity for showcasing our advisory group activities pertaining to School Climate, the      13 Dimension activities along with our student based Awareness Day and how our school        works with students as resources in general.

 

  1. Southern Connecticut State University: (Last week of October- 26th?) A field trip is being organized by our School Climate Seniors to visit the SCSU VPAS Center to gain ideas for integration in WHS regarding our new curriculum for sexual awareness. “The Violence Prevention, Victim Advocacy and Support Center (VPAS) is committed to helping to create a campus community of respect and safety by providing violence prevention education, victim advocacy and support services. We know that being in an environment that encourages responsibility, to self and others, is essential for students to achieve their academic and personal goals.”

 

  1. 5th Annual Girls Leadership Summit (Girls Symposium): -November 3, 2017

                Chelsea Piers, Stamford, CT.  we will be presenting in a variety of situations:

  • Two 30min workshops on two different topics/focus, following the same format as in years past. This year’s focus will be finding your voice, advocating and presentation skills. This presentation can be led by group of 2-3 girls each
  • Two 20min activity facilitation. In the first session, we will be compiling feedback from our pre-event survey question “items that prevent you from standing up for yourself or others” and asking the girls for feed-back on the results and for them to identify the top 3 priority areas. In the second session, we will ask them to brainstorm headline information and or possible activities they can engage in to impact the priority areas they have identified.  We would need at least one girl to facilitate each group activity (5 groups)

 

  1. Board of Education Meeting - 11/14 Review of New School Climate Results and the involvement of WHS students in focused based activities with elementary and middle school students. After this meeting it is anticipated that the respective principals would be contacted with a proposed action plan.

 

  1. 5th Grade Wonder: We have already been contacted by a 5th grade teacher to come to the classroom and conduct -Mini reading circles and discussion groups with the students regarding the book “Wonder”.  Ms Novarro has already emailed us some times that are good for her classes.

 

  1. Unified Leadership Summit: -Dec 15, 2017 -Aetna Building, Hartford, CT

                “We are making plans for our Youth Leadership Summit and are hoping that you and your      students from Westbrook High School's Teen Leadership program will, once again, be able   to contribute to the event by hosting two breakout sessions.  Your workshop has been well          received and provides valuable skills for our Unified teammates!  We especially appreciate you getting the workshop attendees actively involved.

                This year's Summit will be held Friday, December 15th at the Aetna facility in Hartford.  The                 format will be similar to last year.  We hope you can help us make this another wonderful               experience for all involved.”

 

  1. Freshmen School Climate Assembly: Annual assembly planning for December at a date and time to be determined. This assembly is prepared and run by students to give the freshmen an idea of how Westbrook High works with students as resources.

 

  1. CAS Elementary Leadership Conference: -Jan 11, 2018, 8:30AM-2PM (Mitchell College, 437 Pequot Ave., New London, CT) this workshop is pending our involvement based on our exam schedule. Typically students from WHS would present workshops to elementary students which are Social Emotional Learning Based dealing with Empathy.

 

  1. WHS Awareness Day: Date to be determined. We are hoping to conduct a 2nd Annual Awareness Day which was slated to be called “Born This Way Day” this school year. The day would optimally be prepared and organized by the students, for the students as it was a year ago.

 

  1. Additional
  • China visitor, Friday, October 6th (Defer to Supt. Ciccone)
  • Student School Climate Training (Dec. or Late Jan/Feb)
  • Student Restorative Practices Training (Dec. or late Jan/Feb)
  • 2nd Grade & Ms. Kukta presentations +++++++++
  • Oxford Academy Student Meeting?

District Climate Council Meeting Professional Correspondence Report

 

 District Climate Council Meeting - January 29, 2020

WHS Student School Climate - Professional Correspondence Report

“Working with Students as Resources”

  • 1/23/2020   First Student Collaborative School Climate Meeting - HS students presented the 2019 School Climate survey results with potential focus for students as resources.       

  • 1/16/2020    Middle school meeting with teachers to discuss a middle school/high school “Climate Team” to move SEL along with the efforts already in place along with some new vision.

  • 1/14/2020    Meeting with the National Guard representative to discuss their participation in Awareness Day.

  • 1/13/2020    EASTCONN’s Arts at the Capitol Theater Telephone Conference call with Principal Sarah Mallory,  School Social Worker Nina Shea, and Bethany  Pomerantz, Social Studies Department.Planning a full day at EASTCONN with a school-wide assembly in the morning and a focus group meeting in the afternoon,                    

  • 1/10/2020    Meeting with Project Courage to discuss their participation and contributions to Awareness Day.

  • 1/8/2020      Applied to present at the Rutgers University Conference in March titled: Authentic Youth Voice and Leadership - sponsored by the NSCC and its    new collaborative “Ramapo for Children”.  September 5, 2019 (NEW YORK CITY) Ramapo for Children (“Ramapo”) and the National School Climate Center (“NSCC”), two leading nonprofits that work with schools, districts and states to create strong school communities, announced that NSCC will be merging with Ramapo to become The National School Climate Center at Ramapo for Children.

  • 12/5/2019     WHS students participated in a brief questionnaire in advisory for the upcoming Red Flag Campaign.

  • 11/7/2019     SEL Advisory Activities: Freshmen completed our 2019 surveys and the remainder of the school viewed a prepared video leading to thoughts of  the SEL intended activities for our school wide assembly.

  • 10/15/2019   Conference with Melissa Kissie SCSU to discuss participation in our Red Flag Campaign.
  • 10/8/2019     Meeting with Demetra McBride from New Horizons, Middletown, CT to discuss her agency's participation in the Red Flag Campaign.