We love that Cici the Cardinal came to visit all of our PK-3 and PK-4 classes to start their day off great! We are lucky that Southside High School freshman, Marco Martinez III, volunteers every single week to be Cici for Southside ISD’s littlest learners. He wakes up early to come see students before heading to the high school to start his day! 
Southside Pride!
Ms. Adrienne Ortiz, PK-4 teacher, leads a Second Step SEL lesson as Zayden and Adaney use the puppets to show actions. Puppets are used beyond the identification and naming of emotions to help children understand and resolve conflicts respectfully. We’re proud of our scholars for leading the way!
Menchaca Early Childhood Center was recognized as a “Kindness Certified School” for the 4th consecutive year for its commitment to making the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time. Students at MECC recently took part in the annual Great Kindness Challenge hosted by Kids for Peace. The program reaches over 19 million students in 115 countries.
Each year students look forward to practicing how easy it is to be kind to others during this week-long event in January. Students shared how rewarding it was to give and receive compliments and encouraged everyone to show kindness all year long. This year, missions and acts were released via the GooseChase app which allowed classes to compete against one another by completing kind acts and submitting pictures or video evidence. The students (and teachers) had a blast! Missions included reading to other classes, smiling at 25 people, creating valentines for veterans, leaving notes around the school, reciting affirmations every morning to start their day, and even being kind to nature by creating a bird feeder.
“Kindness Week just brings a greater awareness as to how powerful kindness can be, what it looks like to be kind, and how even the smallest of actions and words can have the greatest impact on the social and emotional happiness of all human beings. “We shouldn’t have to think about being kind,” PK Counselor and Kindness Ambassador, Dr. Melanie Morgan said. “It should be effortless, automatic, and universal. When kids are presented with the chance to do something good, they want to,” Morgan said. “We have to give them those chances. When they realize how good it makes them feel, it becomes a little bit more natural for them to continue.”
“Our hearts are bursting with joy knowing that so many students are actively creating a brighter, happier, and more positive world for all. Even during the pandemic, students are finding creative ways to spread love, honor classmates, show gratitude, and offer a helping hand,” said Jill McManigal, co-founder and executive director of Kids for Peace. “We are thankful to Menchaca Early Childhood Center for providing this opportunity for their students to practice kindness and we are grateful to their students for demonstrating that kindness matters!”
Sandra Gonzalez is a paraprofessional in our dual language program. She goes above and beyond each and every day. She arrives early to welcome our earliest learners who arrive at 6:30 to provide them that safe space and a smile. Mrs. Gonzalez has been back up to the front office and filled in whenever and wherever she is needed without hesitation. She is an elemental piece to our puzzle!
Social emotional learning (SEL) is a process through which children and adults develop the fundamental skills for life effectiveness.
According to the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines, early experiences influence brain development, establishing the neural connections that provide the foundations for language, reasoning, problem solving, social skills, behavior, and emotional health. All children benefit from direct social skills instruction, explicit teaching, and repeated opportunities to practice skills. The development of these personal and social skills enables children to a build a sense of who they are and what they can do. Children who can follow directions, communicate their wants and needs effectively, and get along with other children are more prepared to enter an academic environment as school-ready. Additional information about the SEL learning standards in the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines
Impact of SEL
Behavior: Social skills and behavior directly impact academic achievement in pre-kindergarten and beyond. 9% reduction in discipline referrals, 10% reduction in emotional distress, fewer disruptive classroom behaviors prevents and reduces bullying
Academic Achievement: SEL instruction has a positive impact on academic achievement. Students receiving systematic SEL instruction showed an 11% increase in academic performance. SEL increases student engagement and motivation to learn.
The foundational SEL domains included in the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines are:
Lifelong Impact: SEL has long term benefits including higher education levels, better paying jobs, and healthier relationships at home and at work.
Career Readiness: SEL develops skills for college, career, and military readiness, such as complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration.
Staff: Teacher turnover costs $7.3 billion dollars. SEL reduces teacher stress and improves morale.
Climate & Connectedness: SEL improves school climate and increases connectedness. Students who feel connected to school have better attendance and are less likely to engage in substance abuse and other high risk behaviors.