October 2026

Social Emotional Learning Resources

from Christy & the Area 2 SEL Hub

The Area 2 SEL Hub and YOU, Friend!

Would you like to see...

• A 50% reduction in chronic absenteeism?

• A 22% increase in positive social behaviors?

• A 10% increase in students' academic achievement?

• A 9% decrease in discipline referrals? 

Did you answer yes to all of the above? Is it possible? Yes! Does it require magic? 

Nope! This data reflects the impact that having an SEL-focus in your schools and classroom has! 

Need SEL support in your school? Reach out to me or your ROE SEL professional today! 

With care from the Director of the Area 2 SEL Hub

Christine Schweitzer cschweitzer@roe4.org

View my LinkTree

Monthly Grab-n-Go Resource

October is Bullying Prevention Month

Everyone can help prevent and protect from bullying!

Resources in the 2026 Unity Day Resource for Bullying Prevention Guide:

• Prevention and Awareness Facts & Guidance

• Student activities

• Community events

• Letter writing templates

• School announcements

Monthly Adult Wellness Strategies

Work Well, Live Well

Work Well: Check Email Only When You Have Time to Reply

• Too often, we try to "keep up with our emails" by checking our inbox, even when we know we don't have time to respond. What happens then? Worry, anxiety, and another mental to-do...

   

• Time to make a change; switch to only checking your email when you know you have time to respond, and see if it helps improve your work/life balance and stress levels!

Live Well: Micro-Moments of Gratitude

• Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can lower your stress and anxiety. During your next stressful situation, take 20-30 seconds to think about something you are grateful for. Teach your students to do the same! 

Area 2 SEL Spotlight

SEL-ebrate a colleague in October!

This month, nominate a colleague who created an SEL-themed bulletin board or display! One lucky nominee will win a Starbucks gift card! SEL-ebrate them with a nomination before the end of the month! 

Congratulations to our last issue's nominees, who were nominated for designing their office to be an SEL-inspired space! 

• Mary Hunter, Special Education Teacher at Harlem SD122

• Amanda Matthews, 5th grade teacher at Whitman Post Elementary 

• Robert Moore, Life Skills Program Teacher at Winnebago High School

• Tracey Monti, Life Skills Program Para at Winnebago High School
• Morgan Goodrich, Life Skills Program Para at Winnebago High School

And the WINNER of the Starbucks gift card is:
Morgan Goodrich! ☕🎉

Pulse on Illinois SEL 

Statewide SEL news & updates 

Area 2 Needs Survey - Universal Mental Health Screening (UMHS)

• Please take a few minutes to respond to this 6-question survey in order to better support our Area 2 school's UMHS needs. You're welcome to share the survey with other school staff too!

Universal Mental Health Screening (UMHS) Information & Support

• Access ISBE's UMHS Non-Regulatory Guidance for School Districts

• We created the Top 10 Fast Facts on the UHMS one-pager - and stay tuned for the digital toolkit we're building based on ISBE's guidance!

Get Ready to Use RSSI this Year for Improved Staff & Student Wellbeing

• Your RSSI snapshot will include data from the IL School Report Card and 5Essentials Survey. Coming soon to Area 2: A short video series guide!

IDPH Community Network Anchor Update 

• The LENS Advisory Board (Lived & Learned Experts Navigating Systems) will bring together people with lived experience and professionals with learned expertise to inform state funding, policies, and more! 

Upcoming Events

Discover SEL PD Opportunities

Featured Event

Legal Updates for School Mental Health Professionals 

with Attorney Brandon Wright

• Critical Topics: FBAs, BIPs, 504s, suicide prevention, UMH screening, and more

• Where & When: Tuesday, November 17th, 4-5:30 PM during the School Psychologist and School Social Worker Collaboratives. 

Professional Development

For Teachers, Social Workers, & More

Supporting Student & Adult Mental Health in Schools 

Come learn how to build robust, tiered systems of support that nurture student well-being and help reduce root causes of educator burnout. Admin Academy credit is also available!

Raising Student Achievement Statewide Conference

Don't miss IARSS Illinois's Raising Student Achievement Conference in Oak Brook, IL on Dec 7 & 8!

• 160+ breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics (including SEL!)

• Oct 21 is the last day to save $50 with Early Bird pricing!   
  

Search “SEL” or Grade Level to find the right professional development for you

ISBE's SEL in Practice Series

This webinar series offers a range of SEL-themed, one-hour webinars October-January, and I will be leading two of them!

• NOV 4: Integrating SEL in Academics

• JAN 6: SEL & Mental Health

Community Events

Open to Anyone

For the Love of SEL

This newsletter is produced to support social emotional learning across the

16-county Area 2 SEL Hub. Every edition contains:

• Printable SEL resources

• Strategies for students & staff

• Educator wellness strategies 

• Professional learning opportunities

• Exciting giveaways! 

• & much-needed inspiration ❤️

Spread your love for SEL by sharing this with others who would benefit from subscribing, including school and early childcare center staff, providers of community, mental, and behavioral health services, & more!

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