SIDNEY -- The August 14 Sidney Schools board of education meeting included reports from school principals.

North Elementary Principal Nancy Rowlett the education profession is not the easiest occupation. It is one that can take a toll on the teacher and the student.

"With this profession, you gotta be on top of your game -- every day," Rowlett said. 

She said "check-in" programs are as important for staff as for students. A check-in program is when a student, or staff, can respond to a "How are you?" kind of question with a specific word that indicates where they are on a scale of not-so-good to doing well. New this year is teachers and staff will be encouraged to acknowledge when they are not having a perfect day.

"Our theme this year is self-care," Rowlett added.

She said the school is focusing on SEL. SEL is social, emotional, learning. 

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a strengths-based, developmental process that begins at birth and evolves across the lifespan. It is the process through which children, adolescents, and adults learn skills to support healthy development and relationships.