HARRISON —Boxberry School students have jumped into the new school year with a flurry. Boxberry teachers Matt Baker-White and Marlena Lantos are integrating social emotional learning concepts into the curriculum this year.

Social emotional learning helps students identify their own feelings while also teaching them strategies and exercises for addressing these emotions.

Additionally, it incorporates a kindness practice into the school day structure so students’ kind behavior is recognized, acknowledged, and reinforced. Students check in each morning with the POP chart: Pausing to Own their feelings before choosing a practice or strategy to help them address that feeling.

Students also welcomed local homeschooled children to their Wednesday Specials program this week. Kids created self-portraits with local artist Rachael Rausch, learned some introductory French words with Darcy Chase, and made samosas in their Cooking Around the World class.

Marlena Lantos introduces the POP Chart at Boxberry School.

Quinlan Friel creates his self-portrait during a Boxberry School session.

Darcy Chase is teaching French to Boxberry School students.