Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Services

Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning is the process by which life effectiveness skills are learned. At IA we understand the importance of developing social and emotional intelligence, the ability to interact effectively with others, strong character and integrity and self-regulation skills.  Our morning meetings are designed to promote community connection and effective communication. Students greet each other, share with each other and set a positive tone for the day . At afternoon class council meetings they discuss what is working, what is not working and solve situations as a community. Over the year, teachers and staff will model communication techniques for the students to learn as well. Our social emotional  program is the thread that weaves our program together. It has been inspired and influenced by the following :

Positive Discipline, created by Jane Nelsen, is about creating respectful relationships in homes and schools.  Learn more about how IA uses Positive Discipline by reading about us in the Voice of San Diego.

 

The 8toGreat program encourages students to become self-reflective members of our community. This program shows students how to take “Highways” (instead of the low road) to living life fully every day. Some curriculum areas include Gratitude, Full Responsibility, Risks, and Hope.

Compassionate Communication enables students to speak their feelings and needs while making requests. Students learn why empathy is so important for themselves and for others. This program is a powerful way to make students feel heard as well as empowering them to discover their own voice.

The Responsive Classroom is an approach to teaching that emphasizes social, emotional, and academic growth in a strong and safe school community. Taught by teachers at the Northeast Foundation, it is based on the premise that children learn best when they have both academic and social-emotional skills.

Mental Health Services

As noted in our handbook, Innovations Academy recognizes that when unidentified and unaddressed, mental health challenges can lead to poor academic performance, increased likelihood of suspension and expulsion, chronic absenteeism, student attrition, homelessness, incarceration, and/or violence. Access to mental health services at the IA and in our community is not only critical to improving the physical and emotional safety of students, but it also helps address barriers to learning and provides support so that all students can learn problem-solving skills and achieve in school and, ultimately, in life. The following resources are available to your child:

Available on Campus:

• School-based counseling services – your child is encouraged to directly contact our counselor by coming into the Solution Center during school hours and making an appointment. Our school counselor supports students by providing individual sessions, group or parent consultations whenever a student is having a difficult time due to academic stress, transition to changes in their environment, or social concerns, including isolation. Counseling services, whether provided by our school or by an outside provider, are voluntary.
• Special education services – if you believe your child may have a disability, you are encouraged to directly contact Lisa Smith, our special education coordinator at LSmith@InnovationsAcademy.org.
• Prescription medication while on campus – if your child requires prescription medication during school hours and you would like assistance from School staff in providing this mediation to your child, please contact our health clerk in the front office at 858-271-1414.

Available Nationally:

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline – This organization provides confidential support for adults and youth in distress, including prevention and crisis resources. Available 24 hours at 1-800-273-8255.
• The Trevor Project – This organization provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 24. Available at 1-866-488-7386 or visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/.
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America – This organization is a community- based mentorship program. Community-specific program information can be found online at https://www.bbbs.org or by calling (813) 720-8778.