Social emotional learning

at bell middle school

Welcome

Welcome, Bell Community! I am your Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SELS). I come to the education world with a variety of professional experiences, a bachelor's degree in fine arts and a master in education, and I am a parent of two JeffCo students. I love this community and am grateful to be working with your students at Bell!

This site is a place for students, parents/guardians, and staff members of Bell to learn more about Social Emotional Learning (SEL), our lessons for the year, resources we have within the school, and our available community resources.

I am excited to partner with all of you this school year. Please reach out if you have any questions!

Danielle Swanson, LPCC, NCC

Emergency Resources

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, Call 911

If what you are experiencing is not an emergency, please use one of these resources below:

Colorado Crisis Line 1-844-493-8255 www.coloradocrisisservices.org

Safe to Tell 1-877-542-7233 www.safe2tell.org

Text: S2T to 274637

National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988

LGBTQ+ Suicide and Crisis: 1-866-488-7386

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/ (Chat, Text, Phone)

Bell Middle School Counseling Department

The Bell MS Counseling Department is available to students and families through a variety of formats including through face-to-face contact at Bell Middle School, through email, or the phone. To request to see a member of the Bell Counseling Department please use one of the links below.

Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SELS), Mrs. Danielle Swanson
- Phone: 303-982-8482 Email: danielle.swanson@jeffco.k12.co.us
6th Grade Counselor, Mrs. Kathy Cochran
- Phone: 303-982-5065 Email: kathy.cochran@jeffco.k12.co.us

7th Grade Counselor, Mrs. Linda Jelinek
- Phone: 303-982-8116 Email: linda.jelinek@jeffco.k12.co.us
8th Grade Counselor, Mrs. Lindsey Leigh
- Phone: 303-982-6307 Email: lindsey.leigh@jeffco.k12.co.us Request Form

*While members of Bell's Counseling Department will make a diligent effort to respond as soon as possible, please be aware that it may take between 24-48 hours to respond.

what is social emotional learning (SEL)?

Social and emotional learning (SEL) 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 (Source: CASEL).

Watch this video from CASEL on SEL to learn more.

Why is Social Emotional Learning taught in schools?

From The Committee for Children, they explain "well-implemented SEL programs positively affect students’ success in school. Studies show that social-emotional skills—such as problem-solving, self-regulation, impulse control, and empathy—help improve academics, reduce negative social behaviors like bullying, and create positive classroom climates.

Social-emotional skills also help kids successfully manage everyday life. They help students focus, make good decisions, and become supportive members of their community well beyond school."

In short, we are working to teach your children additional skills to be successful in school and beyond!

why sel matters

Independent research studies confirm Social Emotional Learning helps students.

Read more here: https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-does-the-research-say/

Some examples of SEL related student gains:

Improved attitudes about self, others, and school
Positive classroom behavior
11 percentile-point gain on standardized achievement tests
More likely to graduate from high school and complete a college degree
More likely to obtain stable employment in young adulthood
Fewer conduct problems and lower drug use
Less likely to be living in public housing and/or be reliant upon receiving public assistance
Less likely to be involved with the police
Less likely to be in a detention facility

(Source: CASEL)

student & Parent websites