SEL: Social Emotional Learning

Ashlynn Morgan
Staff Writer
  Bonneville High School is always looking for an opportunity to make the environment at the school better for students. The faculty introduced biweekly lessons in order to improve the student body and environment at BHS. The short lesson, lasting only about 15 minutes, covers topics such as grit, mindset, goals, needs, and more. Students and teachers at Bonneville were sent a survey on December 9th 2024 asking about these lessons and their impact. People pointed out that the lessons have not been going on long enough to be any actual change, but some have noticed that people are more attentive to other people's struggles and a more positive environment. 
  Opinions vary on the SEL lessons: numerous students and teachers agree the lessons are an excellent idea and that they go over important topics. However, some agree that there are topics they wish Bonneville would talk about. Emotional intelligence, saving and spending habits, social anxiety, and procrastination cycles were some of the topics students would like to see in future SEL lessons. Overall, most agree that mental health is a topic that should be addressed. Students pointed out their wants for the lessons to be more engaging with activities or chances for a small reward for answering questions. It is important for a teacher to be able to show the benefits of the SEL lessons. Students mentioned that when a teacher is not interested in the lessons it makes it harder to learn. Teachers showing interest with the lessons can help make them more interesting because then students can connect to the lesson. Explaining that these lessons can help make school a better environment could help people pay attention and engage.
  People have said some students do not take the lessons seriously. Some that do say that they do discuss the lessons outside of school, but most do not discuss them very often. One response said they talk about SEL “[v]ery often, especially with trying to change [their] mindset” and improve themselves. Some people on the responses understand that the SEL lessons can be a good thing and are not just there to mess up the time on the school day. 
  Overall, the majority of students and staff have a positive attitude towards the InFocus SEL lessons.