J 449: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 3, 2025, as Social Emotional Learning Day in the State of New York

 Senate Resolution No. 449 BY: Senator MAYER MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 3, 2025, as Social Emotional Learning Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 3, 2025, as Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International SEL Day; and WHEREAS, The theme for SEL Day 2025 is "Skills for Success, Ready for the Future"; and WHEREAS, Social emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel, and show empathy for others, establish, and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions; and WHEREAS, Essential to success in our schools, workplaces, homes, and communities, SEL competencies develop throughout our lives and allow individuals to contribute meaningfully to society; and WHEREAS, With awareness for SEL on the rise, top companies are beginning to emphasize the importance of social and emotional skills; success for the next generation of employees and entrepreneurs requires self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision making; and WHEREAS, Results from a landmark meta-analysis show that SEL interventions that addressed the five core competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making, increased academic performance by 11%, improved students' ability to manage stress, and improved attitudes about self, others, and school; and WHEREAS, Research suggests that evidence based SEL programs are more effective when they include strategies for family and community engagement; and WHEREAS, Cost-benefit research shows that for every dollar spent on SEL, there is an $11 return on investment; and WHEREAS, Research shows that investments in evidence based SEL programs can lead to improved educational achievement and long-term benefits to society; and WHEREAS, Community members should be encouraged to learn about and share their knowledge of the importance and impact of integrating evidence based SEL into our schools, organizations and community as our Nation progresses today; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State, and national levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 3, 2025, as Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York; and SEL4NY.