Social Emotional Health & Wellness
Supporting Social and Emotional Learning
The social and emotional learning (SEL) approach in the Pembroke Public Schools supports the district’s mission to achieve a school culture that supports academic achievement and social and emotional competence and well-being and is responsive to the diversity and needs of our students.
Supporting the development of students’ social and emotional competence is one of the foundation blocks of PPS, inextricably tied to academic success. To succeed academically and become empathic, engaged and ethical citizens, students need opportunities to develop social and emotional competence. PPS’s SEL approach fosters resiliency, responsibility, supportive relationships, and reflection and provides opportunities for students to develop and practice important social and emotional learning competencies.
Social/Emotional Health and Wellness Focus Areas and Goals
PPS is committed to:
- Creating Resources, and increase our ability, in the identification of students that are at risk social and emotionally.
- Using consistent practices and common resources for promoting social and emotional competencies in all students through the exploration of programs, standards and curriculum as well as the examination of additional programs.
- Identifying and using Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions for targeted support of students.
Guidance Counselors, School Psychologists, and Social Workers, within our district, work with the faculty to support students so they can be available to learn. While teachers focus on curriculum and content issues, it is the responsibility of guidance counselors, school psychologists and social workers to facilitate students’ access to instruction, which can only happen when a student is feeling secure and safe, with a sense of well-being and a willingness to take the risks that are essential for learning and progressing.” (National Association of School Psychologists Website)
Counselors identify and assist with adjustment issues of childhood that can affect a student’s development and impact learning. Counselors work with students individually, with small groups or with entire classes. They consult and collaborate with parents, teachers, school administrators, school psychologists, medical professionals, and social workers in order to develop and implement strategies to help students be successful in the education system.
Guidance Counselors, School Psychologists, and Social Workers:
- work directly with the student/s through individual and group counseling focused on school-related issues, crisis intervention, and case management
- consult and collaborate with teachers and administrators
- work on various committees and tasks which benefit the emotional well-being of all students
- social workers are likely to reach out to families and the community as part of their unique function
- school psychologists have as their unique function the role of evaluating students as part of a multi-disciplinary team, determining the eligibility for special education services.
New State Behavioral Health Help Line
The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. For more information, please see the FAQ. Anyone with questions or concerns about the help line can email the help line director at Mio.Tamanaha@mass.gov.
Professional Development Feature
All providers, websites and resources referenced here are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of PPS and should not replace professional, medical or legal advice. Readers should be aware that websites, sources, and terms are constantly evolving and may change before being updated on this site. This site is by no means exhaustive. In addition to the sources researched and documented here, there are many, many more sites and organizations that may provide different, valuable and useful information for your needs.
Contact Us
We welcome questions about your child's social-emotional health, development, and learning.
For the Staff Directory Click Here
Therapeutic Apps:
Here is a list of helpful therapeutic apps:
- Buddhify com
- iZen
- RelaxApp
- Momicoloring
- 3-minute mindfulness
- Chill
- Headspace
- Mindshift
- Mood Monster
- Ambiance
- Guided mind
- Breathe
- Hope Box
- Sage Tonic
- Mood 24/7
- Mood Meter
- Colorfly
- Mindtools.com
- Createinnerpeace.com
- Calm.com