Earlier this month, Riverside County Office of Education visited Rosa Parks Elementary and John F. Kennedy Middle College High School for the first annual Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Field Trip.

The SEL Field Trip provided an opportunity for approximately 30 CalHOPE leads and SEL leaders from across Riverside County to engage in a day of discovery and learning by visiting two schools—one elementary and one secondary—that have successfully implemented exemplary school-wide SEL practices. This one-day excursion is designed to highlight the outstanding work being done in schools that have cultivated a positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment through SEL initiatives.

The trip included visits to both school sites, with each stop lasting approximately two hours. Each visit began with a campus tour, giving participants a first-hand look at the facilities and environment in which these programs thrive. Following the tour, participants attended a comprehensive presentation of the SEL programs at each site, offering a deep dive into the strategies, resources, and outcomes that have contributed to their success.

The primary aim of these visits is to provide meaningful and enriching learning experiences for all participants, allowing them to witness best practices in action, exchange ideas, and gain practical insights they can bring back to their own districts and schools.