HSI NEWSLETTER FALL 2020
Looking to the Future The year 2020 has brought on numerous challenges for us not only in our local communities but also across the nation. Now is not only the time where we need to make space for others in need to heal but
“By acknowledging the value of emotions in our everyday effectiveness, RULER aims to infuse the principles of emotional intelligence into the immune system of each school, informing how leaders lead, teachers teach, students learn, and families support students.�
also begin to see this as a time to seriously begin the
To better understand Social
conversations on change. As the MPCSD started the
Emotional Learning, the first step
20/21 school year, the focus has been on self-care,
is to actually be able to
reimagining schools, continuing to plan on restarting
recognize emotions. MPCSD is
school in whatever form presented itself, and
diving deeper into the work of
embracing the challenges of this past year by
Dr. Marc Brackett from the Yale
intentionally addressing areas such as equity, race,
Center for Emotional
social emotional learning in schools, and improved teacher support. Through our MPCSD Parent Speaker Series, we began this year's series with author and local scholar Julie Lythcott-Haims, on Talking to Your Kids about Race and Racism.
Intelligence, and particularly the RULER method. Dr. Brackett was part of the parent speaker series in October, will be speaking with all staff in November, and will be working with school teams at the beginning of 2021.
Student Well-Being
This conversation continues in January 2021 as
Even during distant learning, our schools have
MPCSD will be hosting a Three Part Conversation on
continued to implement the life skills programs in
Segregation and its Legacy on Education Around
the elementary schools by pushing out lessons from
Menlo Park. The MPCSD has also put together an
the classrooms, joining classes on Zoom, and even
Anti-Racism committee of parents, staff, and
making videos for teachers to share with students. In
community members who are engaged in
the middle school, the schedule was designed with a
developing stronger Parent and Community
Launch period at the beginning of the day where
Education, looking into enhancing Teacher/Staff
students would connect with an adult, see friends,
Professional Development opportunities, exploring
discuss an important life topic, or just engage in a
curriculum, and evaluating current recruitment,
little school spirit (e.g., crazy hat day, eat breakfast
hiring, and retention practices.
together, or do a little show and tell).
rulerapproach.org
mpcsdspeakerseries.com
Parent Green Folder/Community Resources