Social Emotional (SEL)
Social Emotional Learning
Somerville Public Schools supports every student’s social and emotional development through curriculum and practices called SEL (Social Emotional Learning). SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.
We think of our SEL support systems, education, and interventions as three groupings, called “Tiers.” For most of our students, Tier 1 will be all they need. Students can progress through the Tiers to receive deeper and more customized support from staff. As students move up the continuum, they move into mental health, receiving care from clinicians and embedded social workers.
TIER 1: All Students
Tier 1 provides foundational social-emotional, mental health, and behavioral supports for all students. Instruction is tailored using screening data to ensure equity and meet grade-level expectations. Supports include school-wide positive behavior systems, restorative practices, family engagement, the Second Step curriculum, counseling, brief individual interventions, attendance and behavioral monitoring, culturally responsive instruction, and classroom management with clear expectations created with student input.
TIER 2: Some Students
Tier 2 provides preventive, targeted support for students who continue to face challenges beyond Tier 1 interventions. Supports are identified through school-based Student Support Teams and focus on building the skills students need to succeed. Students receive small-group instruction, one-on-one counseling, and other structured interventions, with progress monitored regularly. Supports may include safety plans, peer conflict mediation, restorative practices, behavior plans, social worker or community partner counseling, attendance and home support, and short-term individualized interventions
TIER 3: Few Students
Tier 3 is intensive intervention offered to students for whom support in Tiers 1 and 2 was insufficient. Instruction focuses on underlying social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs, with ongoing evaluation to guide support. Interventions may include one-on-one counseling, functional behavior assessments, behavior intervention plans, restorative practices, specialized programs, and coordination with families and external providers. Tier 3 is distinct from special education, though students may be referred for further evaluation if additional support is needed.
Staff SEL Training
Our staff receive training in evidence-based social-emotional and behavioral supports, including Second Step, nonviolent crisis intervention, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, restorative practices, and professional development through the Student Services Department and district-wide programs. Staff also receive coaching from building-based SEL specialists.