SEL-Focused Enrichment Programming for Expanded Learning Time Schools:
Jere Baxter Pilot
Invitation to ParticipateTM
Alignment Nashville Behavioral Health Team
Alignment Team Vision: All children in Nashville are mentally healthy.
BACKGROUND
Jere Baxter Middle School, as part of the MNPS Innovation Zone and with the assistance of the National Center On Time & Learning, plans to begin expanding its school day starting in the 2014-15 academic year by introducing six (6) 70-minute extended school days throughout the year. Jere Baxter intends to engage business and community partners to provide enrichment classes for students and professional development for teachers with this extra learning time.
WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO?
Jere Baxter approached the Alignment Nashville Behavioral Health Committee in 2014 to assist in engaging partners and to keep a focus on Social Emotional Learning in seeking programming for the extended school day. The Behavioral Health Committee saw an opportunity to help both Jere Baxter and other MNPS schools that will implement Expanded Learning Time in the future by creating a scalable pilot for this initiative at Jere Baxter. The pilot will include:
o An Adult Learners (teachers/administrators) partner-engagement plan that engages partners in Nashville to provide SEL education and SEL-focused professional development to equip school staff with the tools to accurately model SEL-informed behaviors to students.
o A Student Enrichment partner-engagement plan that secures partners to provide academic, SEL-focused, physical fitness-focused and other enrichment programming for students.
Student Enrichment and Adult Learners professional development will happen simultaneously on the 6 extended days during morning and afternoon blocks. Student Enrichment classes/sessions with partners will be supervised by a guidance counselor and a security officer if needed. The scheduling options follow below.
SERVICES NEEDED FROM THE COMMUNITY
Jere Baxter has identified 6 extended learning days for the 2014-15 academic year and has delineated options for partners wishing to participate in this initiative. (Partners may choose more than one if desired.) JBMS intends to continue the ELT plan after this pilot year, gradually increasing the number of extended school days offered. As such, the school welcomes multi-year partnerships if available.
Designated ELT days for 2014-15 academic year:
o Sept 24, 2014
o Oct 22, 2014
o Nov 19, 2014
o Jan 28, 2015
o Feb 25, 2015
o Apr 22, 2015
Scheduling options:
o Morning student enrichment: 8:20-10am with 7th graders and 8th graders (in separate groups; offer class twice)
o Afternoon student enrichment: 2:26-4:10pm with 5th graders and 6th graders (in separate groups; offer class twice)
o Morning professional development for teachers and staff: 8:20-10am
o Afternoon professional development for teachers and staff: 2:26-4:10pm
Possible student enrichment classes can include but are not limited to:
o Literacy/reading
o Social Emotional Learning
o Mindfulness
o Meditation/yoga
o Dance, theater or other performing arts
o Visual arts
o Sports/physical activity
o Sewing/knitting/crocheting
o Ecological awareness
o Service learning projects
o Book club
o Cooking class
o Gardening/Urban Farming
o Engineering
o Construction
o Architecture
o Cosmetology
o Robotics
o STEM
o Writing Lab
Teacher/staff enrichment and professional development training themes can include but are not limited to:
o Modeling Social Emotional Learning (CASEL core competencies: self awareness, social awareness, responsible decision-making, self management, relationship skills)
o Olweus (bullying prevention) training
o Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) training
o Responsive Classroom training
o Classroom Organization and Management Program (COMP) training
o Setting shared norms
o Cultural sensitivity and conflict
o Creating positive school climate
IMPORTANT DATES
Deadline to Respond to ITP: Ongoing
Community Meeting: September 5, 2014, 12pm at Jere Baxter Middle School
PROJECTED OUTCOMES
Our projected outcomes for this ITP are as follows:
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
Increase partner engagement at JBMS
Increase knowledge and comprehension of SEL core competencies among teachers and administrators
MID-TERM OUTCOMES
Increase in teacher/administrator feelings of belonging and connectedness
Increase in positive student-teacher relationships
Increased reading levels
Improve college aspiration
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Increase graduation rate
Improve children's health and well-being with an emphasis on SEL
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
o If you have any questions about this Invitation to Participate, please click here to email Lexi Morritt, Associate Director, or call 615-988-9749.
o To learn more about about the Behavioral Health Alignment Team and its work, click here.
o To learn more about how our Invitation To ParticipateTM ( ITPTM) process works, click here.
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