By LARRY LANNAN
Anyone reading local social media lately has likely run across a number of posts and comments about HSE Schools.
First, a group calling themselves “Fishers One” is organizing and posting online, first about the school board’s process for selecting the new HSE Schools Superintendent. Other posts from the group have been critical of the SEL (social, emotional learning) program at HSE Schools and SEEL at the high school level (social emotional equity learning).
Another group has emerged online taking the opposite view, with the name of “One Fishers.”
As you can see, you need a scorecard to keep track of the players.
Bourff
In his weekly video update, HSE Superintendent Allen Bourff addresses what he describes as “some of the misconceptions that have recently circulated online regarding the district’s social, emotional learning (SEL), as well as the equity and inclusion work.”
Bourff describes SEL as a way to promote students’ life skills needed for the work place, college or military service. To Dr. Bourff, SEL includes conflict resolution, time management, communication, empathy and self-awareness.
This is nothing new to public schools, according to Dr. Bourff. “Schools have fostered students’ social, emotional development for years,” the superintendent said. “It’s been known as character development, sportsmanship or citizenship.”
He describes the SEL program in kindergarten through eighth grade as a research-based program used by other Indiana school districts.
All the SEL lessons are available on the school district website at this link.
This is the first year high schools will be piloting SEEL content. Each high school will take a slightly different approach to this. “We call it SEEL because in High Schools our equity coaches have partnered with the SEL coordinators to develop the content,” Bourff said.
Dr. Bourff then turned his attention to assertions that HSE Schools is promoting Critical Race Theory in SEL and curriculum, saying this is not happening in the district. “It is not true,” he said.
“Equity and inclusion work has been embedded in our district since 2004,” said Dr. Bourff in the video. “The district considers its responsibility to create a safe space where students can grow academically and socially. We work together as central office administrators, principals, counselors and teachers to prepare students for the future that awaits them. It’s a collaborative effort.”
Dr. Bourff’s entire video posted Friday afternoon can be viewed at this link.