Mindfulness & Social Emotional Learning

River Edge Schools2017-2018

Dr. Tova Ben-Dov, Superintendent of SchoolsBeth Rosen, Assistant Principal - Cherry Hill School

Christine Moran - Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction

District Goal★ Integrate mindfulness practices in each

building to promote student health and wellness.

Mindfulness

What is Mindfulness?★ Mindfulness means maintaining a

moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.

★ Mindfulness helps students relax, recharge, and refocus.

Mindfulness in River Edge Schools➔ Yoga➔ Meditation➔ Physical/Movement Breaks➔ Breathing Exercises➔ Brain Breaks➔ Positive Behavior Supports➔ Flexible Seating

Mindfulness Support Activities● R.E.A.L. Courses (Facilitated by Staff Members)

○ Yoga & Mindfulness: 37 Staff Members, PreK - 6○ Positive Behavior Supports: 16 Staff Members, PreK - 6○ Flexible Seating: 12 Staff Members, PreK - 6

● Yoga in Physical Education Classes - Grades PreK - 6● Small Groups

○ Second Step - Kindergarten○ Coping Cat - Grades 1, 2○ Primary Project - Grades K, 1○ Girls Empowered - Grade 4○ Stress Relief - Grades 3, 4, 5○ Social Club (self-regulations) - Grades 1, 2○ Kids’ Turn - Grade K - 6 (Coping strategies for changing families)

● Website: https://sites.google.com/riveredgeschools.org/wearemindful/home

Mindfulness Survey Results

Yoga/Mindfulness Practices

Meditation Tuesday in Grade 3

Yoga in Grade 4

Mindful Breathing Exercises in Grade 4Yoga/Mindfulness

Professional Development for Staff

Using a Glitter Jar as a Calming Strategy

Brain Break in Grade 3

Highlights

● R.E.A.L. Courses - 37 Staff Members● District-Wide Yoga PD Session -

March 13th● Integration of Mindfulness activities &

practices in the classroom throughout the day

● Fosters techniques to deal with frustration and anxiety

● Students describe feeling calmer and in touch with their feelings

● Lends itself to a variety of teaching styles

★ 36 Staff Members reported that Yoga/Mindfulness Practices help students to focus and calm down

Challenges

● Reaching a comfort level● Helping all students engage and

benefit from the practices● Encouraging students to

independently engage in Mindfulness Practices when they feel upset, stressed, or frustrated

● Providing differentiated Professional Development for teachers in these practices

Positive Behavior Supports

As a reward for good behavior, Grade 4 students get to play a board game with their classmates.

Positive Behavior Incentive Charts for Individual Students

Grade 3 Fuzzy Jar for Whole-Class Behavior

Students earn points during Math Class on the website, ClassDoJo.

Highlights

● More effective classroom management

● Addresses whole-group and individual behavior challenges

● Improves student time on task● Promotes awareness and ownership

of behavior● Creates a positive classroom

environment● Students feel good about themselves

and about helping others● Can be differentiated for a wide

range of behavior challenges● Complies with IEPs, 504 Plans, and

other individual student needs

Challenges

● Knowing how to adjust whole-class and individual plans throughout the year

● Consistency outside of the classroom (lunch, recess, related arts)

● Communication and collaboration with parents

● Professional Development to address the variety of teachers’ needs

Flexible Seating

Flexible Seating gives students a choice in what kind of learning space works best for them, and helps them to work collaboratively, communicate with others, and engage in critical thinking.

Highlights

● Individualized to students’ learning styles

● Promotes core balance and good posture

● Provides vestibular and tactile input● Student choice empowers ownership● Teachers are able to choose what

seating options work best for them (ex. cushions, standing desk, hokey stools, etc.)

● In a comfortable environment, students work efficiently, work longer, and put more effort into their work

● Carries over to other choice options in student learning

Challenges

● Ensuring that Flexible Seating improves focus and does not create a distraction

● Provide a variety of examples for teachers to introduce flexible seating options effectively

● Professional Development to address the variety of teachers’ needs

CharacterEducation

Character Counts in River Edge!

Highlights

● Small Groups○ Second Step - Kindergarten○ Coping Cat - Grades 1, 2○ Primary Project - Grades K, 1○ Girls Empowered - Grade 4○ Stress Relief - Grades 3, 4, 5○ Social Club (self-regulations) - Grades 1, 2○ Kids’ Turn - Grade K - 6 (Coping strategies for

changing families)● Big Buddies, Peer Pals● Zippy - Kindergarten● Student Council

○ Table to Table ○ Spirit Days

● Roosevelt Family Meetings○ Roosevelt Pride Positive Referrals

● SOAR ○ Character Education Slips for Students & Staff

● April - Autism Awareness Month○ Puzzle Pins Sold During Lunch

● Adopt-a-School: Puerto Rico○ PTO Clothing Connection○ Letters Written to Students

Challenges

● Establishing common language and continuity through the grades, related arts classes

● Helping students during unstructured periods (lunch and recess)

● Providing time for embedded character education instruction and student reflection in routines and schedules

● Training teachers and monitoring behaviors to impact student choices

● Communicating and including parents for common goals

Buddy Bench

Highlights

● Gave adults and students an opportunity to be aware of a difficult challenge at recess

● Integration of meaningful technology and character education

● Tapped into student creativity● Helped students gain sensitivity● Helped identify students, who

previously could have gone under the radar

● An average of 60% of students shared that they helped a friend, who was sitting on the Buddy Bench

● An average of 20% of students shared that someone helped them during recess

Challenges

● Continuing to help and educate adults and students during recess

● Continuing to collect targeted data to identify trends and needs

● Identifying students who need additional support

Multicultural Education

International Day - Cherry Hill School International Day - Roosevelt School

Highlights

● International Day● Kindergarten Multicultural Songfest● Creation of Multicultural Dolls● Parent Presentations● Sharing of Cultural Celebrations on Padlet● Art: Projects Connected to Various Cultures● Physical Education: Playing Games from

Around the World● Spanish: Projects about Customs from Other

Countries● Read-Alouds with Books About Other

Cultures○ Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha

Lai○ My Name Is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor

Ada○ Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

Challenges

● Connecting education to practice in the classroom

● Continuing to provide resources for existing and future programs

● Taking more advantage of the richness of the multiculturalism in River Edge

Recommendations for the Future★ Increase staff awareness and comfort level about Mindfulness★ Provide differentiated Professional Development

○ District○ Grade Level○ Related Arts○ Visitation to other Districts

★ Offer a Parent Academy on Mindfulness and Flexible Seating★ Monitor and support new and continued practices★ Find ways to connect instruction to student practice★ Provide additional opportunities for student input★ Explore having older students in leadership roles to model best

practices in Character Education