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Duneland School Corporation to Offer SEL Curriculum

Duneland School Corporation

CHESTERTON - The Duneland School Corporation is implementing a district-wide curriculum for social emotional learning this fall.

Assistant Superintendent Robert McDermott told the "Times"  it will be the first time the district will implement a standardized SEL curriculum with topics such as empathy, kindness, goal setting and emotion regulation.

McDermott said the district, and many schools across the country,  saw increased anxiety and depression among students. The district is creating the curriculum to be both proactive and reactive in helping students mentally, emotionally and academically.

Starting in the fall, all students will receive at least one 20 to 25 minute SEL lesson per week.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will take growth mindset and goal setting, emotion management, empathy and kindness and problem solving.

Sixth to eighth grade students, will learn mindset and goals, recognizing bullying and harassment, managing relationships and conflict and thoughts, emotions and decisions.

McDermott says applied neuroscience is becoming more common in schools.  It also includes learning interventions to help improve human function.

Sharon Jackson is the local host of "All Things Considered" and a reporter for Lakeshore Public Radio. She has been with 89.1 FM since its launch in 2009. Sharon is also a radio DJ in Chicago, and has been since 2004. In her previous job at Metro Networks/Westwood One, she was heard on am 890 WLS, WGN radio 720 am and am 560 WIND. She has also delivered news and traffic reports on radio stations all over Chicago and the suburbs including 95.9 The River, 98.3 WCCQ and Star 96.7.