Education Partnership Session
School District of the Chathams Wellness Initiative Presented by Julie M. Patterson October 19, 2016
Summer Administrative Retreat
July 2015
Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center
Mindfulness Training of District Administration
Mindfulness Training
October 2015 - Introduction to Mindfulness
Counselors
SACS
Health and Physical Education Staff
November 2015 – Applications for Health and Physical Education classes
Just a Little Breathing Room
Reflect, Relax, Refocus
Located at the middle school
Funding provided through a Chatham Education Grant
Materials and supplies donated by the Municipal Alliance Committee of the Chathams
Just a Little Breathing Room Entrance
Activity Table
Relaxation corner
Bean bag lounger; soft floor pillows
Jellyfish tank, live plant and magnetic balls
Wall quote
Yoga poses over mat; cabinet with supplies
Yoga Instruction Mat in Breathing Space
Fidget and other stress reducers
Focus for Five
At grades 4 and 5
Two times of the day
AM and right after recess
Health and Physical Educator Training Yoga Training
Project U.S.E. Training
Health and Physical Education Classes
K-5 Yoga poses and activities using poly spots and Yoga & Mindfulness card deck
4-5 Introduction of yoga poses and a calm corner with balloon breath
6-8 Introduction of yoga and body scans
9-12 Meditation Mondays in grade 9
Project U.S.E. and incorporation of low and high challenge activities involving icebreakers and trust-building games
Gardens at the Schools
Eagle Scout Projects
PTO Involvement
Environmental clubs
Taste it Tuesdays
Farm to Table
Harvest from gardens used at school cafeterias
Furniture – Flexible Learning Environments for Student Engagement Bouncy bands
Wobble stool Standing desk
Zenergy Yoga Ball Chair
Unplug days
Teachers are asked to conduct lessons without benefit of any technology
Two times per year across district
Examples: Butter Battle Book in History related to current political environment, kite-flying, meditative walking
In-service Day Sessions on Wellness for Staff
Coloring mandalas
Music
Meditation
Healthy cooking
HIT
Cycling
Running
Frisbee
Mindfulness session
Ropes course
Fed Up
Forks over Knives
Benefits of Mindfulness
Strengthens attention and concentration, increases focus
Reduces anxiety
Improves classroom participation
Increases flexibility
Allows one to consider different perspective
Increased executive function (working memory, planning, organization, and impulse control)
Decreased ADHD behaviors—specifically hyperactivity and impulsivity
Fewer conduct and anger management problems
Increased emotional regulation
Increased self-calming
Increased social skills and social compliance
Increased care for others
Decreased negative affect, or emotions
Decreased anxiety in general and text anxiety in particular
Decreased depression
Increased sense of calmness, relaxation, and self-acceptance
Resources Websites
Furniture and supplies
www.mindfulteachers.org
The therapy shoppe
www.mindful.org/mindfulnessmeditation-guided-practices
S&S Worldwide
Bouncy Bands
School Outfitters
www.mindfuleducation.org
Julie M. Patterson Supervisor of Health, Physical Education and Wellness K-12 School District of the Chathams Chatham, New Jersey 07928 973-457-2506 X3039
[email protected]
