A Culture of Empathy and Inclusive St. Nicholas School’s mission is to teach a comprehensive academic program that promotes intellectual, spiritual and emotional development.  St. Nicholas School has not only accomplished the intellectual and spiritual aspect of the mission but St. Nicholas School has created a program to truly teach social and emotional development.  In stating St. Nicholas School educational aspirations, St. Nicholas moves beyond more traditional educational models and enters the sphere of character education and social and emotional learning.  Social and Emotional Learning is the process of acquiring skills to recognize and manage emotions, develop caring and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish positive relationships, and handle challenging situations effectively.  St. Nicholas School has a Social and Emotional Learning Consultant who is highly involved in conflict resolution and guiding staff to become excellent Social and Emotional coaches.  The Social and Emotional Learning Program is successful because St. Nicholas School teaches students the skills and behaviors to implement daily, setting up students for success in high school and life.   The task of teaching Social and Emotional Learning is not just about selecting a curriculum and teaching skills.  Equally important is the classroom culture St. Nicholas Teachers create.  Social and Emotional Learning flourishes in classrooms where students feel emotionally and physically safe to be themselves and express who they are.  That requires a culture of inclusiveness and respect.  It also requires a classroom where teachers give time to creating a positive and cohesive group dynamic.  Educating a community on Social and Emotional Learning changes a school’s culture, allowing students to feel secure and welcome in their everyday environment.   Why is Social and Emotional Learning so important to St. Nicholas faculty, staff, students and parents?  St. Nicholas vows to promote the intellectual, social, spiritual, and emotional development of your child.  St. Nicholas School believes social and emotional learning is one of the most critical skills for your child’s success in life – whether family, friendships or career.  Students are taught to resolve conflict at the time of hurt by communicating directly.  Also, it is taught to learn to play together in groups and to include all students.  St. Nicholas School has adopted a motto of, “You can’t say that you can’t play.”   Social and Emotional Learning is also intrinsic to academic success. St. Nicholas School is creating leaders by equipping students with social skills allowing students to be comfortable in their environment and focus more on academics.  An average student enrolled in a social and emotional learning program ranks at least 10 percentage points higher on achievement tests than students who do not participate in such programs.   St. Nicholas School community dedicates a week to celebrate the accomplishments of Social and Emotional Learning.  “KIDS” week is a week of activities surrounding Social and Emotional Learning.  The students are reminded of the skills they have been taught and how they can continue to implement them.  Throughout the student’s years at St. Nicholas School, each year every grade level builds on the skills taught in pervious grades.  By the time students gradate from St. Nicholas School, they are equipped with the skills needed for success on a social and emotional level.   St. Nicholas School also gives the opportunity to parents to become a social and emotional coach for your child.  St. Nicholas School Social and Emotional Learning Consultant conducts workshops for parents to inform them about the skill sets St. Nicholas fosters your child, so parents can partner with teachers and staff in teaching these skills at home.  We recognize that parents are the primary educators of their children and the St. Nicholas faculty and staff strive to support and complement them in this role.  St. Nicholas is committed to teaching Catholic values while fostering life long learning of the whole child.  Implementing a Social and Emotional Learning program enables St. Nicholas School to teach the whole child.    For more information on the No Bully School program, please visit www.nobully.com.