Our current Social Emotional Learning curriculum does not focus on true mental health. It is made up of lesson plans that really focus on the perfunctory level of a much deeper and significant topic. This must be rectified by creating a curriculum that not only creates a wider access to resources for students but also allocates this time towards teaching about the stress faced by students.

A new and improved curriculum would help students understand, normalize and give importance to their mental health. Understanding the stress, anxiety and pressures students face, will allow them to personally connect to the curriculum and learn about managing the struggles they face. Normalizing mental health in students is another crucial lesson in the Social Emotional Learning curriculum. Mental health is just as importance as physical health and normalizing it empowers students to talk about it. It allows them to see they have counselors, peers and teachers who are there to support them. 

Due to the hard transition from remote learning, Waubonsie Valley needs to use this time to offer their students the resources and time to work towards better mental health.