McAvenue School outlines trauma-informed SEL program; school committee moves to convene short policy meeting on kindergarten lottery change
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Summary
McAvenue staff detailed a tiered, data-driven social-emotional learning (SEL) program; the school committee also discussed changing K–12 assignment from three lotteries to one and scheduled a 30-minute special meeting to resolve remaining questions before adoption.
At a school committee session on Jan. 21, McAvenue School staff presented their social-emotional learning (SEL) program, which they described as "mission-driven by behavior data." Assistant principal Dan Shanahan, social workers and an SEL tutor outlined trauma-sensitive practices, academic integration of SEL, a PBIS framework built around respect/responsibility/safety, use of the DESSA screener three times per year and tiered interventions including check-in/check-out and attendance clubs.
Committee members praised the school’s approach and asked for an additional "spotlight" focused on cyberbullying and concrete advice for parents who fear reporting bullying. Superintendent Skinner offered to prepare follow-up materials and produce a future session addressing parent guidance and cyberbullying resources.
On district policy, the committee discussed proposed changes to the K–12 school-assignment policy, primarily collapsing three kindergarten lotteries to a single lottery to provide families and schools earlier placement information. Administration said about 80% of families enroll prior to the later lotteries and that single-lottery administration would reduce administrative complications and earlier assignment for families. Several members requested a quick subcommittee discussion. The committee agreed to hold a 30-minute special meeting next week to review details and return with a recommendation.