Reentry Resources for Back to School

Back to school has always been a busy time, but as you and your students reenter the learning environment this year, in whatever form that takes, one element will remain critical: addressing the social-emotional needs of children and teachers.

Committee for Children truly values the genuine relationships we’ve built with educators over the past four decades, and we believe in always putting your needs and the needs of your students at the center of our work. That’s why we strive to partner with each community in the way that makes the most sense for that specific community. We’ve created a multitude of free, flexible back-to-school resources to support school communities in delivering social-emotional learning (SEL) in the way that works best for their educators, families, and students during this time—whether that takes place remotely, in school, or through a hybrid model. To further support SEL beyond the classroom, we recently released a new out-of-school-time (OST) program to give OST providers flexible, adaptable, and fun ways to help kids understand their emotions and create a kinder, more empathetic community.

We do all of this because, like you, we want to see safe children thriving in a peaceful world. We do this because SEL will be imperative to the success of students this school year. We do this because combating the long-term effects of the pandemic will require a systemic approach that involves leadership, school culture, student-teacher interactions, and family engagement. SEL is that approach.

Here are some of the free materials available now:

• Remote and Hybrid Adaptation Guides: Whether you’re starting the school year remotely or your school reopens part-time, we’ll help you adapt your Second Step^® lessons to fit your situation.
• Second Step^® Early Learning, Second Step^® Elementary, and Second Step^® Middle School Suggested 2020–2021 Scope and Sequence Documents: Start the school year with an implementation plan that has SEL activities for students and staff to set everyone up for success.
• Second Step^® Bullying Prevention Unit and Second Step^® Child Protection Unit All-Staff Trainings: Use these trainings to prepare to address issues of bullying, abuse, and neglect students may have faced during extended school closures.
• Second Step Middle School Community Rebuilding Unit: Help rebuild students’ connections to school after extended school closures. (K–5 units available August 17)
• Revised Second Step Middle School Remote Learning Advisory Guide: Establish remote advisory programs and use them to maintain a sense of community while schools are closed.
• Second Step Elementary Remote Class Meeting Guide: Establish remote Class Meetings to maintain a sense of community among students during school closures. (Available August 17)

As the new school year progresses, check back often for additional resources at secondstep.org/covid19support.

Thank you again for your tireless work to support the social, emotional, and academic learning of our nation’s children. Let’s spark a revolution and ensure the social-emotional development of every student is prioritized this school year.

Best wishes,

Andrea Lovanhill | Interim Chief Executive Officer

Committee for Children