In this course, you will learn about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), including how and why these skills are so important for our students to achieve success in school and adult life. In addition, resources and strategies will be shared that you can use immediately with your students. The content is intended to spark new ideas about how SEL skills can enhance instruction in your classroom.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define the term Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
- State why SEL is important and beneficial to students and adults
- Identify and explain the five SEL competencies and related RI SEL Standards
- Explain how a person’s SEL skills can vary within different contexts or situations
Intended Audiences
- K-12 Educators
- Paraprofessionals
- Administrators
- Anyone who works with students
Course Type
- Self-paced
Recommended # of PLUs
- 3 PLUs
How well do you know the importance of connections in school within the Tier 1 setting for students and staff? Can you recognize how connectedness relates to different forms of prevention in schools and to social-emotional learning? Are you interested in learning about a social-emotional screener that can be used for assessing connections in school? This course is designed to build knowledge about the importance of connections, consider how it is addressed in your school, and provide resources.
For those who would like to learn more about the Connections Survey and its administration, this course is a prerequisite for the course Implementing an SEL Screener at the Secondary Level: Measuring Connections.
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the significance of school connectedness
- Recognize the relationship between mental health/suicide prevention and perceived school connections
- Recognize the role that school connectedness plays in social-emotional learning
- Learn about the relationship between connectedness and school culture/school safety
- Consider the possibility of measuring connections in your school as a form of social-emotional screening
- Assess the readiness of your school for the implementation of a connections screener
Intended Audiences
- K-12 General and Special Educators
- Building and District Administrators
- Related Service Providers
- Paraprofessionals
- Interventionists
Course Type
- Self-paced
Recommended # of PLUs
- 1 PLU
This course will build on and eventually replace the course "The Importance of Connectedness." It will provide participants with an awareness of factors associated with connectedness and belonging in schools, including:
- Understanding the significance of belonging and connectedness in schools
- Recognizing the mental health crisis as it impacts our students
- Understanding the connection between attendance and belonging
- Acknowledging how diverse populations may feel disconnected
- Recognizing the influence of social media
- Learning about options for the Connections Screener
Check back in June 2026 for more information!
Intended Audiences
- K-12 General and Special Educators
- Building and District Administrators
- Related Service Providers
- Paraprofessionals
- Interventionists
Course Type
- Self-paced
Recommended # of PLUs
- 1 to 1.5 PLUs (TBD)
Connecting with students is more important than ever! But how can we measure whether we are actually forming connections, particularly at the middle and high school level? In this facilitated course, participants will learn about a Rhode Island-established Connections Screener, the administration process, and how data from that screener has been traditionally utilized. Participants will then work to develop and pilot a screening process in their own school context. The course includes self-paced completion activities aligned with evolving research and resources, assignments submitted to the facilitator for feedback, and optional office hours to meet with the facilitator. We strongly encourage teams of educators from a single location to participate to facilitate implementation. The goal is that you will implement a pilot Connections Screener in your building, which may be with a small group, a classroom, or a grade level, and should involve others in your building.
Requirements
- This course has assignments that must be completed by participants and submitted for feedback and grading before moving forward in the course.
- If you have any questions, please contact either Kim Pristawa, kpristaw@gmail.com, or Michele Walden-Doppke, mwalden-doppke@westbaycollaborative.org.
Prerequisite: All participants must have taken the one-hour self-paced course “The Importance of Connectedness” prior to enrolling in this course. At the end of the course, after completing all required activities, an enrollment key will be provided.
Intended Audiences
- Administrators
- Grade 6-12 Educators
- Related Service Providers
- MTSS Teams/Members
Course Type
- Self-Paced
Recommended # of PLUs
- 10 PLUs for full course completion
This is a location for previous participants who would like to access the content in their Connections Screener Survey course, noted by school year.