Redwood Day is an independent, diverse K-8 school | 510.534.0800

Social and Emotional Well-Being

A. General Overview

Redwood Day approaches social and emotional learning (SEL) with developmentally appropriate practices for grades K-8 and our schedule includes activities to optimize student wellbeing. We believe that strong SEL skills are essential to success at school and in life. All faculty and staff are trained in Positive Discipline and our older students learn Restorative Justice principles, which encourage community building by learning how to respond to conflict and harm within a safe, supportive space. We understand that our students will be coming back to school having experienced a great deal of trauma as a result of the many months of shelter-in-place and restrictions related to the pandemic. Some students may be able to fully express their emotions and feelings and others may not. We also know that many of our students will continue to experience feelings of loss related to new protocols and structures at school that will limit their interactions with each other and alter their paradigm of what school has been like for them in the past. We are proactively addressing these areas by ensuring that we continue to have robust social and emotional support through our SEL curriculum (circle time in the Lower School and Advisory in the Middle School, for example), and ample counseling/mental health support. Additionally, we have added training on trauma-informed practices for all faculty/staff to help us better support students with attending school during a pandemic.

Recess/Breaks/Lunch - Due to the pandemic, students will remain with their cohort at all times. Recess/breaks will take place outside in assigned areas, whenever possible. Students will eat lunch outside, whenever possible, or in their home base classroom location when the weather does not permit. Additionally, we will proactively incorporate creative ways for students to play and build community within their stable groups while observing physical distancing requirements. Since students will not be able to eat lunch across stable groups, we will also incorporate other ways for them to build community and sustain social and emotional connections with other students in their grade level and across the school on a regular basis.
Middle School Passing Time - Students will have ten minutes between periods as teachers travel safely between classrooms along designated routes. Students will be expected to use assigned restrooms, practicing physical distancing protocols, during this time in order to minimize classroom disruption.
Assemblies and Middle School Gatherings - Assemblies and Middle School gatherings provide opportunities to gather in community, educate, entertain, and bring joy. These opportunities will continue even while students are in stable groups and not-permitted to gather in large groups. For example, we may have a few stable groups outside on the blacktop for an assembly or Gathering while other groups watch from inside their home base locations. Even if we are unable to bring several groups together (physically distanced) outside, we will continue to offer assemblies and Gathering virtually for all students as these components of our program are essential to the social and emotional development of our students.
Equity and Inclusion Groups and Affinity Groups for Students - Equity and inclusion groups and affinity groups will continue meeting throughout the year. Grades K-4 will participate with their cohort. Groupings for grades 5-8 will look different, as we maintain physical distancing protocols; students and adults may participate virtually or in-person. During the pandemic, all affinity groups will meet virtually.

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B. FAQ

List of 6 items.

a. How will teachers ensure that students are ready to transition back into the school environment? How will we help students feel comfortable on campus with the new protocols?

We designed the first few days of school to focus primarily on an orientation to our new protocols and practices as we implement physical distancing in classrooms and throughout the Redwood Day campus. We recognize that students will need a considerable amount of time, upfront, to adjust to this new normal, and we’ve built in ample time, each day, for this purpose. Teachers throughout the grades will review health and safety protocols with students to help them integrate these practices into their daily routines.
b. Will teachers receive any training on trauma-informed instruction and social emotional wellbeing in the context of these very challenging times?

We are in the process of securing an instructor in trauma-informed practices to provide faculty/staff with a consistent set of tools and language to help students navigate the complexities associated with returning to school in a different format from before. We recognize that our students and adults have experienced significant trauma from the shelter in place experience, and we are committed to ensuring all adults who will be working with students are well versed in best practices of trauma-informed instruction. All faculty/staff will receive this training in August.
c. Will students have access to a School Counselor to help them process their feelings?

Yes. Redwood Day’s School Counselor, Lucy Ridgway, will be available for students, primarily in Grades 4-8, to help them process their feelings as they adjust to the new normal of school in the fall. Classroom teachers and Teaching Assistants in Grades K-3 will take the primary lead on helping students verbalize and navigate their feelings. Lucy Ridgway will also be available to assist with Grades K-3 on an as-needed basis.
d. How will the school build in opportunities for movement during the day given that students won’t be moving from class to class?

Teachers will incorporate movement into their lesson plans. Students will also have opportunities to move during their recess periods.
e. What will recess look like for students in K-5? 6-8?

All students will remain with their assigned stable group and each group will have a designated area for recess/breaks. Recess will take place outside, whenever possible. Play areas may include the Middle Schoolyard, Central Reservoir Park, Blacktop, LS Gym, LS Playground, MS Gym, and designated classrooms.

Lower School students will have three 20-minute recess periods throughout the day staggered by grade-level groupings: K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. Middle School students will have a morning break and lunch recess.
f. Will students be able to come together for an assembly or Gathering to build and foster community within the school?

Yes, community building is essential to student wellbeing. We plan to hold 1-2 assemblies per month, in various groupings, including All School, Lower, or Middle School. Middle School Gathering will happen mostly by grade level. Some assemblies and gatherings will be held virtually, while others will take place outside while maintaining proper physical distancing measures.

3245 Sheffield Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
510.534.0800

Social and Emotional Well-Being