Wings for Kids and Discovery Education Launch New Effort to Promote Social and Emotional Learning, and Well-Being for Students Nationwide

SILVER SPRINGS, Md., Wednesday, September 18, 2019 /3BL Media/ – Wings for Kids and Discovery Education, the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms, launched a new initiative Soar with Wings: Social Emotional Skills for School and Life, an educational program created to equip educators with digital resources focused on social and emotional learning in the classroom and beyond. Soar with Wings provides free standards-aligned learning activities and lessons for students in grades K-5 that incorporate academics and fun, while helping them build social and emotional skills. The program, powered by Wings for Kids and sponsored by The Allstate Foundation, provides educators, youth leaders, and caregivers with tips and tools to help young learners soar. 

“Wings for Kids is proud to partner with Discovery Education to expand the awareness that all learning is social and emotional, and every opportunity is ripe for social and emotional skill development,” said Bridget Laird, Chief Executive Officer, WINGS. “The ‘Soar with Wings’ launch signifies a new chapter in the future of education equality, where we lock arms to change the trajectory of the lives of youth. While we cannot change a child’s economic situation, we can foster a mindset that tells them they can succeed, and we can equip them with the skills needed to command an equitable chance at long-term academic success.”

To extend learning in classrooms nationwide, the Soar with Wings program also announced today, Bringing SEL to Life: Skills for the Classroom and Beyond, a Virtual Field Trip scheduled to premiere on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Shared from the perspective of Wings for Kids student advocates, the immersive experience will introduce students nationwide to the key pillars of emotional intelligence, including: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness and relationship skills. The Virtual Field Trip will transport students from inside the walls of their classrooms to Charleston, S.C. where they will meet other students who share a pledge called Words to Live By. Viewers will follow young learners throughout the day as they explain and model how the words of the pledge help them better understand themselves, control their actions and strengthen their relationships. Educators, parents and students are invited to register for the virtual event here. Participants are encouraged to join @DiscoveryEd, @WINGSforKids and other experts for a live Twitter chat during the premiere by submitting questions and sending pictures using #SoarwithWingsVFT. 

“Empowering young people by harnessing their talents and passions will build a better world," said Laura Freveletti, Senior Program Officer, The Allstate Foundation. "We believe the ‘Soar with Wings: Social Emotional Skills for School and Life’ program will prepare and inspire youth to be leaders and history-makers and achieve their full potential."

Research shows that strong social and emotional skills are key to helping kids succeed in school, be prepared for the workforce, and become positive and healthy contributors to society. Research also shows that an effective social and emotional education has the power to strengthen attachment to school, and reduce negative classroom behavior – two significant predictors of who will stay in school through high school graduation. Wings for Kids, Discovery Education and The Allstate Foundation joined forces to launch Soar with Wings to help equip students with the skills they need to succeed and stay in school, then thrive in life. In addition to the Virtual Field Trip, Soar with Wings: Social Emotional Skills for School and Life provides digital lesson bundles, classroom activities, educator guides, family activities and professional learning videos. Overall, Wings for Kids’ long-term vision is to advance a world where there is equity in academics, opportunity, and emotional well-being for children across the nation and around the world, regardless of socioeconomic status.

"Discovery Education is proud to collaborate with Wings for Kids in their important work to bring critical social and emotional learning tools into classrooms nationwide," said Lori McFarling, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Discovery Education. “‘We know from research that often times, school is the only place where these issues can be addressed before young people become active members of society. 'Soar with Wings: Social Emotional Skills for School and Life’ provides educators with interactive, standards-aligned curriculum resources designed to foster new mindsets and build confidence in today’s youth.”

Soar with Wings: Social Emotional Skills for School and Life resources are available at soarwithwings.com and within Discovery Education Experience, an award-winning comprehensive digital service supplementing instruction across all K-12 curricular areas. Discovery Education Experience helps build students’ mastery in interpreting, understanding and evaluating information. 

“The ‘Soar with Wings: Social Emotional Skills for School and Life’ helps educators effectively incorporate key social and emotional learning concepts into everyday classroom culture,” Peter Panico, 5th grade teacher, Devonshire Elementary School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. “When engaged in social and emotional learning, our students must be surrounded by empathetic adults who are well trained in modeling encouraging behavior. Soar with Wings’ digitally immersive activations personalize learning environments that are impactful, informative and safe.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital curriculum resources and professional learning services, visit discoveryeducation.com. Stay connected with Discovery Education through social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @DiscoveryEd.

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About Wings for Kids:
Before grit, 21st century skills or character skills there was Wings for Kids - defining, practicing, and teaching social and emotional learning. What began in 1996 as a summer camp with an explicit focus on emotional intelligence developed into an effective, high-impact, evidence-based program. Wings for Kids operates direct service programs in the Southeast and partners with schools and youth serving organization across the country to bring high-quality social emotional learning to elementary aged students. Learn more at zhttps://www.wingsforkids.org/.

About The Allstate Foundation:
Good Starts Young® is a signature program of The Allstate Foundation, which is an independent charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. The Allstate Foundation works to create more prosperous communities where people are inspired and empowered to fulfill their hopes and dreams by breaking the cycle of domestic violence, inspiring the next generation of leaders, closing the nonprofit leadership gap and honoring Allstate volunteers. For updates on The Allstate Foundation’s initiatives, follow The Allstate Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. More information on The Allstate Foundation is available at AllstateFoundation.org.

About Discovery Education:
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning, creating immersive STEM experiences, and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms and primary schools in the U.K., and reach over 5 million educators and 51 million students in more than 90 countries. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts:
Discovery Education
Charmion N. Kinder, CKinder@Discoveryed.com
(240) 274-2173 phone 

Wings for Kids
Liz Mester, liz@wingsforkids.org
(843) 906-3634 phone 

The Allstate Foundation
Khim Aday
kaday@allstate.com
(847) 402-5600 phone