SEL at North Marion High School

By Jillian Daley

North Marion High School is a pioneer when it comes to the School District's Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program, building on it with fresh ideas to support students.

High School Principal De Ann Jenness brought the School District Sources of Strength, which shows students how to identify their own best abilities and to select caring supporters in order to weather difficulties. Jenness says the program is well thought out, especially the idea of asking students to pinpoint not only an adult whom they can trust and talk to, but a peer. 

“We always know kids talk to kids more easily, so it pulls in their peers for support, which helps students find the help that they need,” Jenness explains.

Along with Sources of Strength, the High School wields a companion tool to RULER strategies (building relationships in the classroom). Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) helps achieve RULER strategies as if offering directions for how to construct those relationships, brick by brick.

Jenness says that these methods are effective, as she’s noticed the impact in Advisory. Advisory is a program through which a student meets with one staff member for four days a week for all four years. Students connect with their advisors and ask for help when they need it so that they can grow as a learner and as a young adult. Why does this SEL alphabet soup work?

“You’ve got to educate the student as a whole,” Jenness explains.

Language Arts Teacher Annie Fale, who has been one of the leaders of SEL implementation at the High School, explains that by educating the whole child, these programs shape students into stronger adults.

“A good strategic SEL program has long-lasting effects on students' resilience,” Fale says. “Programs like Sources of Strength work because students are encouraged to focus on what strengths they do have.”

How is SEL being practiced throughout the whole School District? How is your child's school, specifically, practicing SEL? Find out:

• SEL at North Marion High School
• SEL at North Marion Middle School
• SEL at North Marion Intermediate School
• SEL at North Marion Primary School

To share a story about the North Marion School District, email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.