Social-Emotional Learning
Since its founding, Birches School has emphasized the importance of social-emotional learning, mindfulness, and wellness for all students. With an intentional program rooted in Responsive Classroom, Birches fosters a community that enables students’ emotional and social growth and helps them to develop strong, authentic relationships, self-confidence, and self-reliance.
Social-emotional learning is the springboard for all other learning, as students need to feel safe, seen, and heard to reach their personal and academic potential. Compassionate community membership is a learned skill, just like any other learning, and at Birches we give children time and practice to develop into good citizens, empathic classmates, and kind people. Social-emotional learning isn’t confined to weekly Wellness classes but is a part of all we do at Birches: class meetings, School Assembly, Birch Buddies, Advisory, Service Learning, Growth Education, Explorations, and Afterschool.
Class Meetings and Advisory
At Birches, students begin and end their day with their gradeband teachers (PreK-5) or Advisors (6-8). We intentionally bookend their days with time to share ideas, stories, celebrations, or concerns in safe community. Whether seated on the rug, gathered in their outdoor classroom, or centered around a table, this time together is prioritized for students in every grade. Students create their own classroom agreements and check-in with each other regularly about norms and expectations. Everyone has a voice and everyone is heard. These essential times of the day give students the opportunity to practice empathy, listening, conflict resolution, and joyful connection.
“Our family’s experience at Birches has been wonderful and inspiring. The teachers have gotten to know both of my children as whole people - for the ways they shine and the ways they struggle. Students are challenged and rise to the challenges because they feel safe, seen, and known. The community is caring and invested and we feel lucky to be a part of it! ”
Wellness
Wellness class at Birches incorporates yoga, mindfulness, growth education, and lessons on friendship, conflict resolution, communication, and equity. Students learn to pay attention to body posture and sensation, practicing awareness of breath as a tool to connect mind and body, and mindful observation of nature. In a scope and sequence from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, students learn about the mindful brain and the neuroscience of stress and mindfulness. Students cultivate balance, strength, flexibility, focus, confidence, and a growth mindset through Wellness class. Learn more about each gradeband’s Wellness curriculum.