WOODS CROSS—Going back to school after a long summer can be tough. As that transition takes place, Woods Cross Elementary is trying to make school a fun place to be where kids can feel safe and cared about. Each school in the district has a plan in place for SEL (Social Emotional Learning) that looks at the whole child, not just academics.

“We have morning meeting circle time,” said Principle Buck Ekstrom. “The kids sit on a rug and the teacher asks the kids simple questions like ‘what did you do on the weekend?’ That gives kids a chance to talk about things that are happening in their life. Things the teacher might need to address beyond what the question might have been. It comes out.”

The school’s theme is “Catch the Kindness Wave,” he said. “We want to focus on kindness.”

Ekstrom said the school also has a Multi Tiered Systems of Support team. “Adult team members talk about concerns that have come up with a student’s emotional or physical needs such as struggling to have food or a home and we help provide resources.”

The Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC) is made up of student leaders, he said. “They look for ways on how to make the school more inclusive and welcoming so that kids feel like they belong.”

They give advice and feedback to the administration, said Ekstrom. “They come up with ideas and they’re part of our initiative efforts and help plan and organize events. It gives them leadership experience and we get insights and perspective from students.”

The HOPE Squad is also going strong, he said. “We’ve had it for five years now. Kids have to be elected but it’s not a popularity contest. It’s kids who other students feel they can trust or someone they feel comfortable going to for help.”

The school also offers a wide range of before and after clubs, Ekstrom said. “It helps students feel connected to school. We have chess, archery, wrestling, multicultural, gardening, drama that does the school play, choir, etc. We try to provide something for every kid. They find their little niche and feel included and that they belong – outside of academics.”  

Attendance has dropped since COVID, he said. “It has really floundered. Through a joint effort with AmeriCorps we’ve hired someone to focus on attendance and chronic absenteeism with kids who struggle to get here.”

Ekstrom said they’ve established Professional Learning Communities (PLC). “They look at behavioral issues and attendance in a weekly meeting and try to find solutions. We want to provide a safe place at school. We want them to be banging on the door they’re so excited to be here.”