What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. This intentional focus helps students build on internal assets and create a foundation that will support them in school and life. Focusing on the whole child at school provides opportunities to grow these necessary life skills to help our students become their best selves.

Read me! What is SEL?

Watch me! What is SEL?

Read me! Washington State Office of Superint. of Public Instruction

Read me! Washington State SEL Guidelines & Standards

Read me! Washington State Implementation of SEL

Why SEL & Wellness?

We can – and must – support each student on a path to a hopeful future.

The Camas School District is committed to providing systemic social and emotional learning opportunities that contribute to overall student wellness, and its All-Student Wellness program was created in 2017. Focusing on a systemic approach allows us to be intentional in creating caring school communities, equitable learning environments and concentrates not only on academic growth but the growth of the whole child. School counselors, teachers and support staff are always finding ways to embed SEL concepts into their classrooms and creating space for these skills to be learned and practiced.

Students are more successful in school and life when they:

  • Know and can manage themselves and regulate their emotions
  • Understand the perspectives of others and relate effectively with them
  • Make sound choices about personal and social decisions

Other SEL benefits include:

  • More positive attitudes toward oneself, others, and tasks including enhanced self-efficacy, confidence, persistence, empathy, connection and commitment to school, and a sense of purpose
  • More positive social behaviors and relationships with peers and adults
  • Reduced conduct problems and risk-taking behavior
  • Decreased emotional distress
  • Improved test scores, grades, and attendance text

Camas’ SEL Goals

With guiding principles and core priorities in mind, the Camas School District has outlined goals for our students, staff, and partnerships:

For Students:

  • Increase internal assets for students to become their “preferred selves.”
  • Foster meaningful connections with adults, mentors, and peers.
  • Build self-awareness, regulation, and prosocial skills.

For Staff:

  • Increase training to grow and stretch individuals’ knowledge base.
  • Empower staff to connect with students and support social-emotional growth.

For Partnerships:

  • Engage in conversations and listen to students, staff, parents/guardians, and community.
  • Invite all to be teammates in participating in developing and maintaining external assets.

Resources & Reading

Below are things to watch, listen to and read to help you and your family survive … and thrive!

Except for those created by CSD Social-Emotional Liaison Jennifer McMillan, these resources are not endorsed by Camas School District.

Crisis & Counseling

Kids & Screens

Kids & Their Screens

Cell Phone Contract

Creating a Family Media Plan

Get Moving!
For All Ages
For Elementary Aged Children

To Order:

    • Get your FREE digital copy of the Slumberkins Book about managing stress for your little ones

To Read:

To Watch:

For Teen Aged Children

To Order:

    • FREE care kits for any teen in Clark County who would like one – each kit contains a journal, fun pen, stress ball, information about handling anxiety/stress, and a snack. To order a kit, email kris.henriksen@clark.wa.gov with the name(s) and address of the teen(s).

To Read:

To Watch:

Online Classes from Camas Community Education
    • Join Mission fit Mama Squad FB Group (all updates and recordings will be posted in there).
    • Use this link every morning at 9:00 am PST
      join us: https://zoom.us/j/993770925 (you can join from your computer by clicking on the link directly, or you can join from your phone by downloading the “Zoom” app and using this meeting ID: 993-770-925
    • Please don’t hesitate to email Stephanie Grandits if you have any questions, granditsfitness@gmail.com
Addiction - Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking
  • Start Talking Now – Find out how to prevent and reduce underage alcohol and marijuana use.
  • Community Services Northwest – Addictions – Provider of high-quality, integrated mental health, addictions, and housing services focused on individual strengths and recovery.
  • Clark County Crisis Services – Staffed by a team of mental health professionals and certified peer counselors who are trained in crisis intervention, behavioral health crisis services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the Southwest Washington Crisis Line at 800.626.8137 or TTY 866.835.2755.
  • Partnership for Drug-Free Kids – Support and guidance for families struggling with their child’s substance use.
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens – Get information to help you talk with your teens about drugs and their effects, and learn where to go to get help.
  • Lifeline Connections – A Pacific Northwest substance use and mental health treatment center, providing services since 1962.
  • Unite Washougal – Unite supports a variety of programs in our community, including Positive Community Norms, a campaign focused on using data to support positive perceptions and dialogue that impact the healthy habits of our youth.
  • Headspace®, meditation app

Parenting During COVID

 

Upcoming Events

Join us!  All in-person activities or virtual events are open to the public unless otherwise specified (due to seating, parking or audience constraints).

Virtual & In-Person Parent Workshops & Videos: Transitions

Supporting transitions is a vital part of a child’s overall well-being. Join us for the following events as we look specifically at each developmental stage and the ways to support your children with these exciting changes.

 

Transitioning To High School – watch video at your convenience!

Watch the video!    Passcode: $r&4DPR7

 

Transitioning To Life – watch video at your convenience!

Watch the video!    Passcode: 8*+LK?c2

 

 

Video & Audio Archives

Missed a workshop or want to learn something new? Watch or listen to one of our taped events at your convenience.

2021-22
  • Transitioning To Middle School – presented by CSD Social-Emotional Wellness Liaison Jennifer McMillan – June 7, 2022
  • Obtaining Peak Athletic Performance – presented by Elliott Waksman, MA CMPC, a certified mental performance consultant, Portland Sports Psychology – April 25, 2022
  • Building Character Through Sports – presented by Elliott Waksman, MA CMPC, a certified mental performance consultant, Portland Sports Psychology – April 12, 2022
2020-21
  • Supporting The Transition To High School: Tips & Tricks for Moving On To Secondary Schools with CSD Social-Emotional Liaison Jennifer McMillan – June 2, 2021
  • Supporting The Transition To Life: For parents of high school seniors with Yshai Boussi, LPC, licensed professional counselor and owner of Portland Family Counseling – May 12, 2021
  • Ready for K! Tips & Tricks for Transitioning to Kindergarten with Camas School District co-hosts, Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan and Director of Early Learning Diane Loghry – April 27, 2021
  • Transition to Middle School with host Camas School District Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan – April 15, 2021
  • Birds & Bees & Kids: When & How To Have “The Talks” With Elementary Age Kids with sexual health educator, award-winning author and speaker, Amy Lang, MA – March 23, 2021
  • What Makes Boys Tick: Simple Strategies To Dramatically Defuse Conflict & Grow Connection with Boys Alive! founder and “ON BOYS” Parenting Podcast co-host, Janet Allison – March 9, 2021
  • The Birds & Bees for Parents of Middle Schoolers with sexual health educator, award-winning author and speaker, Amy Lang, MA – February 23, 2021
  • How To Respond When Things Go Wrong: Setting Effective Boundaries & Limits With 21st Century Teens with Yshai Boussi, Licensed Professional Counselor – February 11, 2021
  • How “The Talks” Can Keep Your Kids Safer Online with sexual health educator, award-winning author and speaker, Amy Lang, MA – January 26, 2021
  • Creating Fun & Effective Family Meetings with Lael Petersen, MSW – January 19, 2021
  • The Financial Aid Handbook with Camas High School Counselors Leontine Liebe and Sarah Warta – December 10, 2020
  • Playbook for Parents: How to Support Your Child’s Academic, Social & Emotional Growth in Any Setting with CSD Teachers on Special Assignment Jennifer Scott and Jenelee Herz, and CSD Social-Emotional Learning Liaison Jennifer McMillan – December 8, 2020
  • Brain-Based Sensory Supports for Remote Learners with Sharron Donnelly, occupational therapist and owner of Advanced Pediatrics – December 3, 2020
  • Managing Online Learning: A Survival Guide for Parents with Lael Petersen, MSW – October 6, 2020.
  • Camas Wellness Lab Podcast: a monthly social-emotional learning podcast with Jennifer McMillan, Social-Emotional Wellness Liaison who speaks on social-emotional learning as well as interviews industry experts on the subject.
2019-20
2018-19
2017-18
  • Mindful Parenting of Elementary Students, presented by CSD Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan – May 24, 2018
  • Mindful Parenting of Elementary Students, presented by CSD Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan – April 24, 2018
  • Competition and High Expectations: Supporting Your Children to Be Independent and Resilient, presented by Licensed Professional Counselor Howard Hiton of Hiton Associates – Tuesday, April 10
  • Teens and Their Screens, presented by Licensed Professional Counselor Yshai Boussi of Portland Family Counseling – March 26, 2018
  • Mindful Parenting of Pre-K Students, presented by CSD Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan – March 20, 2018
  • Understanding Teen Anxiety, presented by professional counselor Kevin Ashworth of NW Anxiety Institute – March 7, 2018
  • The Adolescent Brain, presented by CSD Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan – March 6, 2018
  • Navigating the Transition Into High School, presented by Tre Carlisle – Feb. 17/Feb. 24, 2018
  • The Unique Social and Emotional Development of Highly Capable Children, presented by Northwest Gifted Child Association President Austina DeBonte – January 25, 2018
  • Mindful Parenting of Elementary Students, presented by CSD Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan @ Prune Hill Elementary – January 24, 2018
  • Mindful Parenting of Elementary Students, presented by CSD Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan @ Dorothy Fox Elementary – January 18, 2018
  • Mindful Parenting of Elementary Students, presented by CSD Social-Emotional Wellness Coordinator Jennifer McMillan @ Lacamas Heights Elementary – January 10, 2018
  • Screenagers: The Movie screening – October 17, 2017

Camas Educational Foundation (CEF) Major Grant

In 2017, the Camas Educational Foundation (CEF) awarded the Camas School District with a major grant to assist in funding our core priorities:
  • Student Transitions
  • Student Engagement
  • Family Engagement Support

We are extremely grateful for the support of CEF, and for the many generous donors who fund extraordinary teaching and learning in Camas schools. Thank you!

In the News

See what the media is saying about student wellness in Camas Schools!

We appreciate your willingness to learn and grow with our students! ​