ISBE School Wellness Conference

We live in a chaotic, cacophonous world that increasingly overwhelms our students. Today’s youth are facing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety. From the constant barrage of news and social media to the pressures of academic and social expectations, it can be difficult for them to quiet the “noise” and focus. Join this interactive session to learn how mindfulness, visualization, and intentional listening techniques can transform your classroom into a haven where students thrive. In this session, you’ll discover practical strategies to help manage stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being.

Building strong mental health support systems in schools requires collaboration with the broader community. This program focuses on fostering partnerships between schools and local mental health organizations, healthcare providers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to create a comprehensive approach to student well-being.
Participants will learn strategies for identifying and engaging potential community partners, developing mutually beneficial collaborations, and leveraging resources to address mental health challenges. By integrating external expertise with school-based initiatives, this program aims to expand access to services, reduce stigma, and promote a culture of mental health awareness.
Key outcomes include:

• Establishing sustainable partnerships to enhance mental health resources.
• Building a network of support to address diverse student needs.
• Empowering educators and staff with tools and training for effective mental health advocacy.

This program is designed for school administrators, counselors, educators, and community members who are passionate about strengthening mental health support systems for students.

Urban Initiatives (UI) has partnered with Network 11 in Chicago Public Schools to host an eight-session PD series designed explicitly for PE teachers to support social emotional learning in their classes. PE represents a unique opportunity to integrate SEL into lessons, and this PD series based on a research validated coaching methodology supports PE teachers to do exactly that. Participants will learn about the methodology, hear best practices on partnerships between nonprofits and school districts, investigate program impact, and get a blueprint for creating a similar program for their district.

This session provides an in-depth exploration of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and ESSA Foster Care Act, focusing on how to support these vulnerable student populations effectively. This session will address the barriers to educational stability that these students often encounter, such as frequent school transfers, lack of access to resources, and additional challenges. Attendees will also learn about best practices for identifying, supporting, and advocating for McKinney-Vento-eligible students and Youth-in-Care within the school system.

In this engaging session, you will learn how to design, implement, and adapt a comprehensive school-wide Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program tailored to meet the unique needs of your school community. We will explore practical programs, proven strategies, and innovative ideas that drive meaningful SEL integration. Attendees will leave with clear, actionable steps and personalized action plans to support SEL success within their schools. Throughout the session, there will be opportunities for interactive Q&A to ensure that your specific questions and challenges are addressed. Join David Lerch, Principal of ROE 45 Safe School, for an informative experience on building and sustaining an impactful SEL initiative.