June 2019 | Lomond Implements Social-Emotion Learning Curriculum

The Shaker Heights High School Classes of 1950/51, working with the Shaker Schools Foundation, has generously donated funding for a social-emotional learning curriculum that was piloted this year at Lomond Elementary School with great success.

The program, Caring School Community, builds classroom and school-wide community while developing social and emotional learning skills and competencies for students in grades K-8. Caring School Community is curriculum based and offers students daily morning and closing circle activities to build community, weekly class meetings based on social-emotional themes and cross-age buddies activities.

With the success of the program at Lomond, all of the District’s K-8 schools will begin implementation of the curriculum during the 2019-20 school year. Professional learning for the involved schools is scheduled for this summer.

Lomond Elementary School Principal Carina Freeman says that Caring School Community has positively impacted students. “The kids have taken to it, as well as the teachers,” Ms. Freeman says. “It’s really important because in today’s times, we have to educate the whole child, particularly when it comes to social-emotional learning. And this isn’t something that’s unique to Lomond or to Shaker—this is something that’s a part of educational systems around the world.”

Members of the class of 1950/51 originally expressed interest in supporting substance abuse programming to honor a fellow classmate who was passionate about the cause. However, after discussions with Ms. Freeman, Boulevard Principal Neal Robinson and Shaker Schools Foundation Executive Director Holly Coughlin, the alumni shifted their focus on programming that supports the whole child. “The research shows that social-emotional learning at a younger age decreases the likelihood of substance abuse,” says Ms. Freeman. “This program builds a much stronger sense of self and a sense of belonging, which helps children to make better choices.”

Alumni Burt Griffin said the program appealed to the donors because it was something that could be beneficial for all students. “We understand that there’s more to going to school than learning arithmetic,” Mr. Griffin said. “And we believe that this kind of social-emotional learning early on can lead to improved academic success later.”