ATLANTIC CITY – The Atlantic City High School main lobby felt like a block party on Friday, March 8, 2024. Hip-hop and R&B music played on a loudspeaker. Some students took turns throwing mini-footballs into a plastic blow-up man receiver target. Others took their chance at making a shot in a carnival-style basketball hoop with a red rubber kickball.

To the untrained eye, it may have seemed like chaos, but actually it was a well-thought-out party with a purpose that celebrated International Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day. Students cheered for their peers who made the pass or the shot, and they were respectful to those who missed. “Today was about the kids being able to have some fun,” Atlantic City High School SEL Coach Thomas Kelly explained. “We want them to be able to interact with each other in a respectful way.” The district-wide theme for 2024 was Today's Students, Tomorrow's Leaders.

Meanwhile, other students chose to take the Random Acts of Kindness challenge. Kerri Harvey, teacher coordinator for Atlantic City High School, said students had to pick an act of kindness, perform that act, confirm it was done correctly and then come back to spin the wheel to win a prize. “I didn’t know it was going to be such a hit, but it is,” said Harvey. 

In fact, it made special education teacher Susan Biglin cry. “I had to compliment my teacher,” Brandon Jimenez said of Biglin. “I love how she explains. I love how she helps me to not be frustrated when I’m doing my work.” Biglin teared up. “I’m going to miss him. He’s graduating” said Biglin. “We’re showing students how to control their emotions and help them when they need assistance in coping with their everyday life.”

The Atlantic City Public Schools joined thousands of schools and organizations around the world in celebrating International SEL Day. The event, organized by the school district’s SEL Team and coaches, aimed to showcase the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for students and educators alike. “It’s a day to bring awareness to social and emotional learning,” said SEL Teacher Coordinator Dr. Mitea Lakins. SEL is the process of developing and applying the skills, attitudes and values that help individuals and communities thrive. SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. “We’re being intentional about teaching those skills,” Lakins said. “You need these skills to navigate life.”

The Atlantic City Public Schools recently began intentionally implementing SEL programs and practices with support from the Atlantic City Education Foundation, Lakins said. The district has adopted the CASEL framework, which defines five core competencies of SEL and provides guidance for integrating SEL into curriculum, instruction and assessment.

Some of the activities that Atlantic City Public Schools participated in for International SEL Day included:

·  Creating and displaying SEL banners and posters

·  Hosting assemblies and guest speakers

·  Engaging in mindfulness exercises and yoga sessions

·  Sharing SEL stories and testimonials, and

·  Recognizing and appreciating SEL champions and allies.

At Richmond Avenue School, each day of the week leading up to International SEL Day presented a different challenge for both the students and staff, said SEL Teacher Coach Melissa Luna. “The importance of SEL for the teachers is to have self-awareness and self-management so that they can model it for the students,” said Luna. “It’s important for the students because SEL is a lifestyle. These are not just skills that are going to help them in the classroom, but also in life.” On Monday, the challenge was to write positive affirmations about themselves. “I am smart,” one student wrote. “I am good,” wrote another. “I am nice, and I am a winner,” others wrote.

On Tuesday, everyone was encouraged to take a breath and take five minutes to themselves. On Wednesday, the building theme was “Be a good bucket filler.” Thursday was journaling and Friday, the actual celebration day, was yoga.

“The teachers need to have buy-in for the students to have buy-in,” Luna said. “If students learn how to identify their emotions and manage them, it impacts their behaviors and actions.”