SelWell – Social Emotional Learning & Wellness

Russell Elementary puts a strong focus on SelWell as a primary educational goal. SelWell, or social emotional learning and wellness, is integrated in our students’ and teachers’ daily routines with the help of our community partners, curriculum and also grants and special programs. 

Russell Elementary staff have been trained in the MindUp Curriculum, a special program created by the Goldie Hawn Foundation, in collaboration with neuroscientists, behavioral psychologists, educators, and leading researchers in the field of social and emotional learning. The research-based curriculum features lessons that use the latest information about the brain to improve behavior and learning. Lessons focus on attention, self-regulation skills, resilience to stress, and developing a positive mind-set in both school and life. 

The Playworks Junior Coach Program is also an integral part of Russell’s SelWell mission, integrating daily practices and routines into the school day such as “brain breaks” or mindful breathing before and after transitions, at recess, and in the classrooms.

PSELI, the Partnerships for Social and Emotional Learning Initiative, helps children to develop skills such as self-control, teamwork, persistence and goal-setting. Six communities in the US were chosen to receive the PSELI grant, Boston being one of these cities. An initiative of the Wallace Foundation, the PSELI grant was launched to implement the program and align and improve SEL practices within the school community. Learn more here: https://www.wallacefoundation.org/how-we-work/our-work/pages/social-emotional-learning.aspx