New Jersey AJR 41: Designates March 10 as "Social and Emotional Learning Day" in New Jersey.

Bill Text

AJR41 

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 

No. 41 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman JOE DANIELSEN

District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)

Assemblyman STERLEY S. STANLEY

District 18 (Middlesex)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates March 10 as "Social and Emotional 
Learning Day" in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

�� 

A Joint 
Resolution permanently designating March 10 
as �Social and Emotional Learning Day� in New Jersey.

Whereas, 
Social and emotional learning is the process of acquiring and applying the 
knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, 
set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others,� establish 
and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions; and

Whereas, 
Social and emotional learning competencies include self-awareness, 
self-management, social awareness, responsible decision-making, and 
relationship skills; and

Whereas, 
These competencies develop throughout a person�s lifetime and are essential to 
success in school, the workplace, one�s home, and the community and allow an 
individual to meaningfully contribute to society; and

Whereas, 
Children with strong social and emotional competencies display an increase in 
academic achievement and positive behaviors both in and out of the classroom; 
and

Whereas, 
Proficient social and emotional learning skills may be associated with positive 
long-term social and economic outcomes, including improved cultural competency 
and employability; and

Whereas, 
Schools, families, and communities should be consciously engaged to enhance the 
strength, depth, and pace of acquisition of social and emotional learning 
competencies; and

Whereas, 
New Jersey�s pilot program to improve social and emotional learning in schools, 
the �Clayton Model Pilot Program,� provides a network of support services 
spanning from individual student support, teacher resources and classroom 
strategies, and tools for parents to incorporate social and emotional learning 
strategies in the home; and

Whereas, 
The Clayton Model was developed in the Clayton School District in Gloucester 
County and is a responsive, trauma-informed intervention program used to 
promote student development and success; and

Whereas, 
Schools across the State utilize social and emotional learning to promote 
health and wellness and to create an environment where all members are 
welcomed, supported, and feel safe in school; and

Whereas, 
Due to the positive impact of social and emotional learning on the growth and 
wellbeing of students in New Jersey, it is altogether fitting and proper to 
designate March 10, as �Social and Emotional Learning Day� in New Jersey; now, 
therefore,

���� Be It 
Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� March 10 shall be 
permanently designated as �Social and Emotional Learning Day� in the State of 
New Jersey in order to emphasize the importance and impact of integrating 
evidence-based social and emotional learning into the State�s schools, 
organizations, and communities.

���� 2.��� The Governor is 
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing March 10 as 
�Social and Emotional Learning Day� in New Jersey, and calling upon public 
officials and citizens of the State to observe this day with appropriate 
activities and programs.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution 
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution permanently 
designates March 10 as �Social and Emotional Learning Day� in New Jersey in 
order to emphasize the importance and impact of integrating evidence-based 
social and emotional learning into the State�s schools, organizations, and communities. 

���� Social and emotional learning 
is the process of acquiring and applying the knowledge, attitudes, and skills 
necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, 
feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, 
and make responsible decisions. Proficient social and emotional learning skills 
increase academic achievement and positive behaviors both in and out of the 
classroom and may be linked to positive long-term social and economic outcomes.

���� New Jersey�s pilot program to 
improve social and emotional learning in schools, the �Clayton Model Pilot 
Program,� provides a network of support services for students, teachers, and 
parents. Schools across the State utilize social and emotional learning to 
promote health and wellness and to create an environment where all members are 
welcomed, supported, and feel safe in school. 

���� Due to the positive impact of 
social and emotional learning on the growth and wellbeing of students in New 
Jersey, it is fitting to designate March 10 as �Social and Emotional Learning 
Day� in New Jersey.