Mayor pronounces March 27 Austin SEL Day

Austin Independent School District staff, students and their families have been working on social and emotional learning (SEL) practices for nearly a decade, according to a press release from the district. Implementing SEL is known to boost kids’ well-being, improve their social-emotional skills and ensure better academic outcomes. In the era of COVID-19, and “in the midst of spatial distancing, uncertainty, stress and disruption to everyday life, accessing foundational social and emotional skills becomes that much more important,” notes the district. Hence Austin Mayor Steve Adler has declared March 27 Austin Social and Emotional Learning Day, in conjunction with International SEL Day. “At a time when schools are closed, in order to keep everyone safe, families’ ability to engage in social and emotional learning with their children is paramount,” said Caroline Chase, AISD SEL assistant director. Find resources for engaging in SEL-related activities at home on the Austin ISD Learning At-Home site.