Legacy | A Publication of Lena Pope Legacy Spring 2015 | Page 6

Chapel Hill Academy
Increases Emotional IQs

I

f a student can do arithmetic and read and

social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible

write at the appropriate age level but lacks

decision-making. The student-centered format of SEL

the ability to learn from a bad grade or

requires student engagement and makes the children

regulate her emotions if someone else takes

active participants in their own learning.

first prize, does that child have the skills to

be socially and emotionally well adjusted? Members

Every classroom at CHA will be outfitted with a

of the administrative team at Chapel Hill Academy

curriculum kit that includes weekly plans, daily projects,

(CHA) take finding the answers to these questions

and pieces designed to take home so development can

very seriously.

continue while students are outside the classroom.
CHA teachers will begin learning the program over the

“The most common concern I hear from teachers is not

summer to be SEL-literate by the fall.

about academics,” said Jennifer Carpenter, a licensed
clinical social worker and the coordinator of Student and

“SEL offers a way for CHA and our teachers to be pro-

Family Services at CHA. “It’s about how to help students

active, by teaching these skills to our students before

who are angry, sad, or worried learn to manage these

they need them, instead of being reactive and trying

feelings, so that they can be successful.”

to teach our students after a problem has occurred,”
Jennifer said. “One of the most exciting things about

To help all students learn to properly adapt to stress or

a coordinated SEL program is that we will have a

adversity, CHA will further enhance its comprehensive

common vocabulary across all classrooms and all

curriculum

program

grade levels. We will begin teaching these concepts

starting this fall. Social Emotional Learning (SEL), an

in pre-K and then will build upon them all the way up

evidence-based model, has been designed to help

to 5th grade.“

by

implementing

a

new

children increase self-awareness, self-management,
SEL is a proven strategy that is endorsed by teachers
across the country. It has been shown to reduce and
prevent bullying, increase interest in learning, and
improve student behavior and overall school climate.
CHA’s Principal, Victoria Sendejo is elated about the
possibilities the program brings to the students and
hopes more schools and districts will catch on. “In
addition to emphasizing the importance of academic
knowledge, we want to teach students the value
Social Emotional Learning boosts all the right skills to make children
smarter students and better friends.

of being able to identify and maintain a balance in
their social and emotional well being,” Victoria said.

6 LEGACY

17235_SPRING_2015_LEGACY.indd 6

4/6/15 11:11 AM