VCES Social Emotional Curriculum: Cool Tools and P.A.W.S

Social-Emotional Growth as a Foundation for Academic Success

The development of students’ social-emotional competencies is essential to their overall academic growth. At times, these skills are taught explicitly, but they are also incorporated every day when solving problems that naturally arise in a school setting. Students learn to persevere, build independence, solve conflicts, understand the perspectives of others, and advocate for themselves.

 

 

The Cool Tools program was developed at UCLA and is an integral part of the VCES social-emotional learning curriculum.  It focuses on helping students develop "soft skills" that are critical for success.

• Emotional Regulation: Students are taught to develop strategies to recognize, interpret, and manage their emotional responses in a constructive manner.

• Conflict Resolution: Students learn techniques to navigate disagreements, communicate effectively, and seek peaceful, solutions-oriented outcomes.

• Empathy Development: Students practice perspective-taking, active listening, and respond with care and understanding to the experiences of others.

• Positive Relationship Building: Students develop skills to engage with peers and adults in ways that foster trust, respect, and cooperation. This includes learning how to initiate and sustain conversations, listen actively, express needs appropriately, offer and receive feedback, and resolve misunderstandings constructively.

At Valley Charter Elementary School, Cool Tools is introduced through explicit, dedicated lessons in the lower grades to help students build a strong foundation in social-emotional learning.  As students progress through the grades, these tools become part of the fabric of the school day.

Cool Tools language and strategies are reinforced across all classrooms and grade levels, becoming a shared way of talking about feelings, behavior, and relationships. Students and staff apply Cool Tools strategies across a range of settings—including class meetings, collaborative work, and peer interactions—to support reflection and effective communication.