Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD) is committed to integrating social-emotional learning throughout the day through activities, discussions, and programs that promote a positive school culture. This creates a supportive environment where every student feels valued and empowered.
Why Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Matters:
1. Emotional Awareness
Recognize, understand their emotions, leading to better self-regulation.
2. Relationships
Develop healthy relationships, promoting empathy and effective communication.
3. Resilience
Coping strategies for challenges, building resilience and a positive mindset.
4. Decision Making
Supports responsible decision-making, helping to navigate social situations effectively.
Social-Emotional Learning Resources for Families
Families can talk with their child about emotions and relationships. Together, we can reinforce the skills learned in school and create a consistent support system for our children.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning CASEL. Online guide with guidance, resources, tools, and templates to promote parent-school-community partnerships.
The Child Mind Institute provides guidance to respond to children and offers resources for getting care.
KSD Early Childhood
The KSD Early Childhood program uses the High Scope curriculum, which includes social-emotional learning. Modeling and role-play are used to provide visual means of positive social interaction. Resources for teaching emotional regulation include: Incredible 5-Point Scale and the Zones of Regulation
- Positive Action curriculum
- Behavior expectations and routines communicated: CHAMPS
- Emotional Regulation Tools: Incredible 5-Point Scale and the Zones of Regulation
- Specific Topics: Sunflower House - Happy Bear, Think First, Stay Safe
- Individual counseling and small groups on specific topics
- Positive Action curriculum during Jackrabbit Hour
- Behavior expectations and routines communicated: CHAMPS
- Specific Topics: Vaping Effects, Sunflower House Online Safety, MOCSA Healthy Boundaries
- Awareness activities
- Individual counseling and small groups on specific topics
As per K.S.A. 72-6316: Prior to the administration of any non-academic tests, surveys and questionnaires, a school district shall post and maintain a copy of such test, questionnaire, survey or examination on the school district website.”
Kansas School for the Deaf uses Positive Action surveys to assess implementation of the Positive Action curriculum. Teachers complete the surveys at the end of the year, and students take the survey at the beginning and the end of the year. The survey asks students about their behaviors, skills, and how they feel about themselves when they engage in these behaviors/skills. The survey data identifies specific behaviors or skills that may need emphasis in our implementation and identifies those who may need more intensive support.
1. I like myself
2. I do bad things
3. I feel good about myself when I do good things
4. I like school
5. I like to learn new things
6. I take care of my things
7. I get mad or angry
8. I like adults (grownups) like my teacher
9. I fight with other kids
10. I like (or am nice) to other kids
11. I keep promises I make to others
12. I admit my mistakes when I do something wrong.
13. I try to make myself a better person
14. I keep trying at something until I succeed
Response options: “Never”, “Sometimes”, “Most of the Time”
1. I eat healthy food every day
2. I lose control of my anger when I have an argument with others
3. I try to be a good friend to others
4. I like to exercise
5. I can control my feelings
6. I don’t like to learn new things
7. I manage my time wisely
8. I set goals for myself (make plans for the future)
9. I don’t take care of my belongings
10. I feel good about myself when I do good things
11. I feel like I don’t belong in this school
12. I keep the promises I make to others
13. I worry about something bad happening to me
14. I feel sorry for kids who can’t find anyone to hang out with
15. I help someone who is hurt or sad
16. I tease other kids at my school
17. I admit my mistakes when I do something wrong
18. I have as many close friends as I would like to have
19. I drink soda pop every day
20. I pay attention and try to do well in class
21. When I know someone feels sad, I feel sad too
22. I push, shove, or hit other kids at my school
23. I like my teachers
24. I believe that there is always a positive way to do everything
25. I worry a lot when I go to bed at night
26. I eat junk food every day
27. I try to make myself a better person
28. I have tried someone else’s prescription medicine/drugs
29. I have tried some other drugs, sometimes without knowing what they are
30. I treat others the way I like to be treated
31. I feel good about how well I get along with other kids
32. I cheer up other kids
33. You liked answering the questions on the survey
34. You told the truth when answering the questions on this survey
35. During this school year, how much of the time DURING MOST WEEKS did you participate in lessons from the Positive Action Program?
36. Overall, how much of the time did you ENJOYPositive Action?
37. How often do you intend to use what you learned from Positive Action in your daily life?
38. How often do you intend to use what you learned in Positive Action in your future?
Students are asked how much of the time do they do the following behaviors and respond with:
Never, Some of the time, Most of the time, Always, Choose Not to Answer
1. I eat healthy food every day
2. I lose control of my anger when I have an argument with others
3. I try to be a good friend to others
4. I like to exercise
5. I can control my feelings
6. I don’t like to learn new things
7. I manage my time wisely
8. I set goals for myself (make plans for the future
9. I don’t take care of my belongings
10. I feel good about myself when I do good things
11. I feel like I don’t belong in this school
12. I keep promises I make to others
13. I worry about something bad happening to me
14. I feel sorry for kids who can’t find anyone to hang out with
15. I help someone who is hurt or sad
16. I tease other kids at my school
17. I admit my mistakes when I do something wrong
18. I have as many close friends as I would like to have
19. I drink soda pop every day
20. I pay attention and try to do well in class
21. When I know someone feels sad, I feel sad too
22. I push, shove, or hit other kids at my school
23.I like my teachers
24. I believe that there is always a positive way to do everything
25. I worry a lot when I go to bed at night
26. I eat junk food every day
27. I try to make myself a better person
28. I have tried someone else’s prescription medicine/drugs
29. I have tried some other drugs, sometimes without knowing what they are
30. I treat others the way I like to be treated
31. I feel good about how well I get along with other kids
32. I cheer up other kids
33. I am not nice to others who are different from me
34. I can adapt to change
35. I brush my teeth twice a day
36. Some things have hurt me (physically or emotionally) so much I don’t want to remember them
37.I am as well liked by other kids as I want to be
38. I help someone who is being picked on
39. Nobody understands me very well
40. When things look hopeless, I don’t give up
41. I get sent home from school for bad behavior
42. I blame others when I make a mistake
43. I keep trying at something until I succeed
44. I feel confident that I can make good decisions
45. Some things happen to me that are so bad that I can’t talk about them
46.I pick physical fights with other kids at my school
47. I feel bad about myself when I do bad things
48.I cheer up other kids when they are feeling sad
49. When I am mean to someone, I feel bad about it later
50. I am loud and make so much noise at school that I get in to trouble
51. Nothing is fun anymore
52. Bad things have happened around me that make me unhappy
53. I can’t deal with hard times
54. I am good at solving problems
55. I cover my nose and mouth when I sneeze and cough
56. I have tried tobacco (e.g., smoking a cigarette, chewing tobacco, vaping)
57. I have tried drinking some alcohol (e.g., beer,wine or liquor)
58. I have tried marijuana
59. I set goals and work towards them.
60. You liked answering the questions on the survey
61. You told the truth answering the questions on this survey
Johnson County Mental Health Deaf Services
Johnson County Mental Health offers a variety of mental health and substance abuse services. The Olathe office is Students attending KSD have access to Deaf Services regardless of home residence. They will conduct an assessment of your situation and link you to the appropriate intervention or provide a referral to other community agencies. They can be reached at 913-826-1543 to schedule an intake appointment.
Johnson County Mental Health Crisis Line: 913-268-0156
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
Psychology Today's Find a Therapist
Health and Safety Education for Families
Olathe Public Schools Elementary Safety Manual
Children's Mercy Prepped and Ready
Behavior Resources for Parents
Family Plan for Positive Behavior at Home
General Resources for Families