Social and Emotional Learning

Through the Office of Student Support and Wellness, Jordan Crawford, Director of Student Support and Wellness, and Rosie Grinzaid, Associate Director of Student Social and Emotional Support, have built a comprehensive approach to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) that meets students where they are, growing with them as they progress through high school.

For new students, that support starts before the first day of school. A two-day orientation helps them transition into the Weber community and bond with Peer Leaders, upperclassmen who serve as mentors throughout the year. These student leaders help guide new students through their first months at Weber, offering encouragement, advice, and a friendly face in the hallways. 

As students move into 10th grade, SEL programming expands to reflect their growing independence and emotional awareness. The Tea: A Mental Wellness Discussion Series is a Suicide Prevention program in partnership with JF&CS focused on deepening student's understanding of mental health and teaching students how to respond to their own and their peers' mental health needs. The program provides a judgment-free space for students to discuss mental health, emotions, and resilience. Through guided discussions, students explore challenges they may face, gain healthy coping strategies, and learn how to support themselves and their peers regarding mental health.

For juniors and seniors, SEL focuses on preparing for life beyond Weber. Smart & Affirming Choices, a program developed in partnership with JF&CS, helps students navigate complex social situations and develop strong decision-making skills around substance use, relationship boundaries, and personal safety. A key part of this program includes Narcan training, where students learn how to recognize and respond to opioid-related emergencies. The importance of this training was never more evident than when a former Weber student, now a college freshman, used their Narcan kit to save a dormmate’s life. First responders credited the student’s quick thinking with preventing a tragedy—proof that these lessons have a far-reaching and lasting impact.

Students also step into leadership roles, helping to educate and empower their peers. A student-led panel on vaping, featuring Jack Solomon (9th), Jackson Powers (10th), Jillian Smith (11th), and Romy Ress (12th), partnered with Kenny Haney of Northside Hospital Cancer Institute to lead an honest conversation about substance use and decision-making. This peer-driven approach encouraged students to ask thoughtful questions, share their experiences, and make informed choices.

Weber’s commitment to student well-being extends to faculty training. So far this year, faculty have participated in professional development workshops focused on managing students’ emotional dysregulation and in community-wide Narcan training, equipping them with life-saving knowledge and resources should an emergency arise.

Recognizing that parents play a key role in student success, Weber partnered with Women of Weber to offer Mastering the Teen Years: Strategies for Executive Functioning, led by Ms. Crawford. This session provided parents with practical tools to help their teens manage time, stay organized, and develop self-regulation skills, offering valuable insights into supporting their students at home.

Social Emotional Learning is an ongoing commitment that evolves with students throughout their high school experience. Whether through peer mentorship, mental health awareness, decision-making programs, or faculty and parent education, Weber is dedicated to helping students build resilience, make informed choices, and feel supported.