Social-emotional learning (SEL) is defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as “the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Working together as a community, we can protect children and keep them safe from abuse. The Second Step Child Protection Unit for Early Learning–Grade 5 provides a multi-layered approach to child safety.  The lessons in the Child Protection Unit help students recognize, report, and refuse unsafe situations.

Home Links
Home Links are simple, fun activities that encourage interaction between students and their adult family members, caregivers, or other important adults. The activities give students a chance to practice Second Step skills outside of school and help families learn about the skills so they can use them at home. Get Home Links in English and Spanish.

Family Letters
Family Letters are meant to be sent home via email or with each student to introduce families to the program and tell them what students are learning. At the bottom of the Family Letter is a special Activation Key giving families access to the Families section of this website. Encourage them to explore those pages and try the activities with their children. Get the Family Letters in English and Spanish.