Nooksack Elementary Kindergartners Skillfully Shine During Their Problem-Solving Class Meetings
Phi Bean is a kindergarten teacher at Nooksack Elementary School in Everson, WA, part of the Nooksack Valley School District. She has been teaching kindergarten there for seven years and knows firsthand the importance of social-emotional learning for kids this age. We asked Ms. Bean to share the impact of working with BELONG Partners in…
Five Ways to Encourage Student Voice and Share Power in the Classroom
As educators, it’s natural to hold onto some control in our classrooms. And, sharing that power with students opens up so many possibilities. By doing so, we not only strengthen their sense of belonging but also create a more positive and equitable classroom environment. When we allow students more ownership, we open the door to…
Focus on Routines this New School Year
The transition from summer to the new school year can feel both exciting and challenging. We encourage educators to focus on building routines as students settle back into their classrooms. Establishing clear expectations for routines early on sets the stage for a regulated, connected new school year. Here are some valuable resources and ideas to…
Strengthening Family and School Partnership at Sunnycrest Elementary
Kelley Schottle is the Principal at Sunnycrest Elementary in the Federal Way, WA, School District. In the summer of 2023, Schottle participated, along with half of her school staff, in the BELONG Partners workshop Rooted Relationships: Growing Equitable Classroom Communities workshop. After taking that workshop, Schottle was interested in other components of the BELONG Partners…
Co-Regulation is Not Just a Buzzword, and It Can Be Practiced by Everyone
Co-regulation may be the new parenting buzzword, but human beings have utilized co-regulation strategies since time immemorial. Ancestral knowledge teaches us that singing together in ceremony (which stimulates the vagal nerve), drumming (which stimulates both sides of the brain), and spending time in nature (which soothes our nervous systems) are all regulating practices. The strains…
Mentor Teachers Provide Inspiration and Support for New Teachers
Kalmiopsis Elementary School in Brookings, Oregon, is in the third year of its journey to whole-school transformation in partnership with BELONG Partners. Roxana Amaral, BELONG Partners Director of Strategic Partnerships, describes Kalmiopsis as “an innovative school community who cares deeply about fostering the agency and voice of young people. Educators at Kalmiopsis are driven by…
Teaching Brain Science Demystifies Emotions and Behaviors
One way to deepen your understanding of behavior and emotions is to learn, and help your students learn, about brain science. When one of your students melts down and it turns into a domino-effect meltdown for multiple other students in your class, it can feel defeating. When we understand the basics of how the brain…
Building a Community of Belonging at Midway Elementary
Collaborative Solutions for Emotional Growth Meet Midway Elementary, a Vibrant and Diverse School Located in the Highline School District, Midway Elementary is a vibrant example of diversity and resilience. The school’s principal, Lyon Terry, leads a team dedicated to educating 570 students from pre-K through 5th grade. Their unique dual language program teaches all students…
The Crisis of Loneliness, and How Schools Help Build Connection and Community
According to a new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, a lack of social connection can increase the risk for multiple negative health outcomes. And among individuals in the US, there is a troubling trend of severe loneliness. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were concerning levels of isolation among adults living in this country.…
