Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this message finds you and your family well. I’m writing to share some information about an important part of your child’s education: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at the Tomorrow River School District.
What is Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social and Emotional Learning is the process through which children (and adults) understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions.
At our school, we believe that helping students develop these skills is just as important as academic learning. Research shows that SEL not only supports emotional well-being but also improves classroom behavior and academic performance.
Why is SEL important?
Through SEL, students learn how to:
Identify and express their feelings in healthy ways
Handle stress and challenges
Work cooperatively with others
Resolve conflicts peacefully
Make thoughtful and respectful decisions
These skills help students become more confident, resilient, and compassionate—traits that benefit them both in and out of school.
What does SEL look like in school?
SEL is woven into daily routines, classroom activities, and specific lessons. Students may participate in:
Morning meetings or check-ins
Group discussions about feelings and behavior through classroom lessons
Role-playing and team-building activities
Mindfulness or calming exercises
Classroom lessons focused on empathy, kindness, or decision-making
How can you support SEL at home?
You can reinforce SEL by:
Talking with your child about their feelings
Modeling respectful communication and problem-solving
Encouraging empathy by asking, “How do you think they felt?”
Recognizing and celebrating your child’s efforts to show kindness or responsibility
The TRSD is excited to partner with you in helping your child grow into a good communicator, an engaged citizen, a critical thinker, and a positive collaborator who displays integrity, empathy, resilience, and confidence in relating with all others. If you have any questions about SEL at school or how to support it at home, please feel free to reach out to me.
Leah Maves
Social and Emotional Learning Coordinator
Tomorrow River School District, Amherst, WI
71-824-5521 x 1423