Developing community agreements can be a fun, collaborative process that encourages a sense of ownership and collective responsibility among students, promoting a culture of mutual respect and understanding. After a trimester or semester, you likely have a sense of what’s worked well and what’s been challenging in your classroom. Try this exercise to revisit and revitalize your classroom community agreements to respond to your students’ dynamic needs. Note: This activity works well with adults, too. Try it with your Professional Learning Communities or at a staff meeting to breathe life into g ..read more

Mindful eating is the practice of paying attention to the present moment, intentionally and without judgment, with food. Join us on a juicy journey as we explore mindful eating with clementines. Why Mindful Eating? Practicing mindful eating isn’t just about savoring the flavors of our food; it’s an experience that can nurture our overall well-being. In a world where distractions abound, taking the time to engage in mindful eating allows us to reconnect with the present moment. By immersing ourselves in the sensory experience of our food, we cultivate a heightened awareness of taste, texture ..read more

Emeryville, CA (October 17, 2023) – For 15 years, Mindful Schools has been a leader in bringing secular mindfulness to students and educators – first as a direct service provider, then through online trainings and an intensive certification, and now by adding K12 services to build capacity and transform systems, from the inside out. Today, we’re delighted to share our first Impact Report celebrating all we’ve accomplished over the last year. You can download the full report below. View the Impact Report The post Mindful Schools 2023 Impact Report appeared first on Mindful Schools ..read more

One of the great things about mindfulness is that it helps us insert pauses throughout the day. Pausing can help us during transitions––when we’re entering the classroom, or when we’re switching from subject to subject. It can also help us when things feel overwhelming. There is power in pausing––because it helps us settle down, regroup, and just connect to ourselves. Try this Take Five exercise with your students to insert a pause into your day. Watch the demo video and print a poster for your classroom to remind students (and adults) that Take Five is a tool that can be used any time throu ..read more

The Cigna Group Foundation renews support for Mindful Schools; $425,000 grant will fund the expansion of mindfulness programming in 15 Title I schools. Emeryville, CA (August 15, 2023) – As part of a $425,000 grant from The Cigna Group Foundation’s Healthier Kids For Our Future initiative, Mindful Schools is expanding our mindfulness programming at 15 Title I schools across the country. We’re excited to partner with school leaders to cultivate thriving school communities, supporting teacher, staff, and student mental health and well-being.  “Our continued support of Mindful Schools provi ..read more

Reflections from Passaic High School, New Jersey By Graciella Romero Assistant Principal at Passaic High School And Mindful Schools Graduate “We started our first cohort of 101: Mindfulness Foundations just months before we went into a pandemic. If you can imagine, folks are at home dealing with their own anxiety, with the world changing just minute by minute. What ended up happening was, not only did the individuals who took 101 want more, they wanted to share and practice what they were learning. Every Monday and Friday morning, we practiced mindfulness together online, as a school ..read more

1. Check the daily weather… check on your internal weather conditions, too! You may be checking the forecast on summer mornings as you plan for your day’s activities, so why not include a check on your internal weather conditions, too? This is a great way to support children in developing an awareness of their emotions and their internal states. Ask your kids what the weather report on their emotions would look like. Sunny, cloudy, rainy, or breezy? Calm skies, or a tornado warning? A powerful part of this weather check-in is helping children understand that they can notice how they are feel ..read more

District spotlight: Paterson Public Schools. Mindful Schools started working with Paterson Public Schools in Paterson, NJ through our partnership with the Cigna Foundation. Our initial engagement centered on one school within the district, but the superintendent decided to use ESSER funding to make Mindful Schools available to all 50+ schools in the district. To date our partnership has included enrollment in 101, 201, and workshops, as well as coaching and consulting to support implementation. Here is their story: Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Mindful Schools is able to support ..read more

For Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating the amazing teachers in our school communities, with gratitude for their dedication, creativity, and care in making a positive difference in students’ lives. As educators, we know how powerful it is to hear how we’ve impacted students. Watch what happened when high school students were asked to write letters to people they’ve been wanting to thank; we were especially touched by the student who chose to thank their first-grade teacher. Watch what teens are grateful for, then try this Cultivating Gratitude exercise in your classroom. Thank y ..read more

How Big Emotions Affect the Classroom The list of emotions that may be present in the classroom runs long, and emotions can come on strong, making it difficult for students to think clearly or respond skillfully. This is especially true when it comes to anger, fear, or overwhelm. Students often have strong visceral experiences of these emotions—their hands can get clammy, their heartbeat can quicken, their body can feel achy, and they might sense heat rising in their body. All of these can make it extremely hard to think and focus during class. Helping students pause and notice the sensation ..read more