The elementary handbook (here, beginning on page 13) outlines both the types of absences and the consequences for accumulated occurrences of lost instructional time. Schools would send notifications to parents and make referrals to the Family Resource Officer for these absences. Typically, the attendance officers would take into account the family’s situation and may not have a significant concern unless your child is missing a lot of other days from school.

While not core curriculum (math, language arts, science, and social studies), the state employability standards on which we are basing our SEL lessons are mandated curricular content through state legislation. District administrators are aware of parent concerns regarding SEL, and for this reason, recognize the choice of some families to pick up their child during the SEL rotation.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, establish and maintain positive relationships, feel and show empathy for others, and make responsible decisions.

• SEL counselors will provide Tier 1 instruction for all students. These lessons will focus on employability skills and are suited for all students.
• SEL counselors will be teaching 40-minute explicit instruction to K-5 students two times a month during special rotation. 
• There are 3 SEL counselors. Each counselor is assigned to two buildings. Please visit the website to see specific schools. 
• SEL lessons will be focused on the employability skills: regulation, connection and collaboration. 
• There are 18 employability skills as outlined by the IDOE.
• SEL lessons will be interactive and high yield instructional  strategies will be used to ensure engagement.
• SEL counselors will provide extension activities for teachers and guardians. 
• SEL counselors will support classroom teachers. 
• SEL counselors will be available to provide Tier 2&3 support to students.

Once the SEL Counselor positions were approved and opened for hire, all Center Grove elementary counselors and social workers were able to request a change to this position.

• Update on SEL Outcomes
• Benefits of SEL on educators
• SEL Increases academic performance
• SEL provides a return on investment to communities

Prevention and proactive instruction helps to provide students will strategies and skills before a situation occurs,

• Parents and Guardians will need to work with their child’s school and teacher to know which day their child will be receiving SEL explicit instruction. 
• SEL lessons can be found in nine-week increments here.

• No, if your child is physically at school during SEL rotation they will receive instruction. 
• Parents who do not want their child to receive this instruction should follow their school procedures to pick up their child during this time. The absence would not be considered excused unless it meets the guidelines established for absences in the school handbook.
• It is not opt out due to employability skills being required teaching per Indiana Code.
• Pursuant to Ind. Code § 20-30-5-17(b), specific curriculum cannot be taught without parental consent. The specified curriculum and instruction are related to a personal analysis, evaluation, or survey that is not directly related to academic instruction and that reveals or attempts to affect the student’s attitudes, habits, traits, opinions, beliefs, or feelings aimed toward human sexuality, religious practices, and political affiliations, are all examples of curriculum needing prior parental consent. 

• Secondary students will continue to receive character traits instruction during their homeroom time. [Note: This is the same program that Center Grove began in 2017.}
• Please contact middle and high school counselors to see lessons.

In Indiana, K-12 schools are required to teach the Indiana Academic Standards and the Indiana Employability Skills Standards. Neither set of standards include Critical Race Theory. Critical Race Theory is not designed for elementary, middle, or high school students. Additionally, the State of Indiana will not support, condone, or fund anything that alienates, discriminates, or negatively divides students based on race or background.