Thanks to the organizers of this second annual conference of SAM – the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Alliance for Massachusetts – I have been involved in the planning process. And if the preparatory meetings are any indication, the conference will be an important step forward in advancing Massachusetts educators’ and parents’ understanding of our key roles in creating and maintaining a healthy school culture.
Pogo’s perspective… ‘we have met the enemy and he is us’ …is one way to see the problem of violence in communities, but I am confident that this conference will focus on empowerment, not blame.
The way parents interact with each other and the way school staff interact with parents significantly affect how children interact with each other. It’s important to note that the conference theme ‘Beyond the Lock-Down’ was announced before the April 15’s tragic bombings at the Marathon in Boston and the following Friday’s order to ‘shelter in place’ that essentially locked down Greater Boston.
Background on the organization is available at http://www.sel4mass.org .
NOTE ADDED: The conference registration filled up in just a few days, but you can sign up for the SAM mailing list, and join SAM, at the site above and stay informed of activities.