District to pilot three SEL programs, including new digital Second Step with high‑school component

District SEL leadership reported on May 7 that the district will pilot three social‑emotional learning programs next school year as it seeks a cohesive pre‑K through grade‑12 approach. After a yearlong review process that included staff and parent volunteers, the committee selected Enter Explorer, the newly updated digital Second Step (which now includes a high‑school component), and 7 Mindsets for full‑year classroom pilots.

SEL staff said the digital Second Step is a newer, updated product with a high‑school component completed in April, and that the district prioritized programs with quality Spanish translations. The SEL pilot committee will recruit volunteer teachers and meet quarterly to gather anecdotal feedback; representatives from each vendor will be available for pilot questions. Committee leaders said a final decision will be based on teachers’, students’ and parents’ reports of relevance and ease of use rather than on short‑term quantitative data.

High‑school implementation remains an open scheduling question: staff noted the lack of a standard advisory period at the high school and said they will work with principals to identify where SEL can fit into the schedule (possible once‑a‑week implementation or integration into existing electives such as personal finance or civics). District staff also said there will be a small pilot fee and annual subscription costs if a program is adopted districtwide.