Mindfulness Newsletter

• Teacher Appreciation: FREE Gift from Meditation Bar
• Fall 2017 Mindfulness Challenge
• NEW Mindful AISD Videos
• Intro to Mindfulness Course Update
• Mindful Happenings in AISD

Student & Teacher Mindfulness Leaders Wanted for #mindfulAISD Videos: Victoria Birkeland (SEL Communications Coordinator) & I are filming new mindfulness videos every month for y'all to use in class. Starting in October, we'd like to visit at least one campus to film mindfulness. Please email me if you and/or your students would be interested. All grade levels are welcome!

Reminder: For more regular mindfulness updates, please follow me on Twitter, @mrbutler629. I post regularly, providing tips and highlighting mindfulness happening across the district. Also, feel free to use #mindfulAISD when posting about mindfulness.

I have a monthly goal of arranging some type of deal with a community partner in the mindfulness field to provide discounts/special offers for AISD educators. The first community partner to step up for y'all is: Meditation Bar.

During the month of October, Meditation Bar is offering...

• One FREE class (Coupon Code: AISDFREE)
• One $10 class (Coupon Code: AISD10)

Their weekly class list can be seen here. Enter the appropriate coupon code (see above) when signing up online. Bring your AISD badge with you to verify you're an AISD staff member.

Special thank you to Meditation Bar for caring deeply about AISD teachers. When I met with them last week and explained how October can be a stressful month in the schools, they were quick to offer this special deal as a way to help alleviate some of that stress. Be sure to thank them for their support of AISD in person and/or on social media: Twitter/Facebook

October can be a stressful time in the schools, so I encourage y'all to be intentional with taking care of yourself. This challenge is slightly different from last year's challenges with more focus on your experience rather than simply meeting your goal or not. You can sign up anytime during the month. At the end of the month, there will be a drawing for a self-care package and the school with the most participants will be recognized by Dr. Cruz.

Sign up below or by clicking here.

Below are four new #mindfulAISD videos for you and your class. The videos feature stretches that can be done standing or sitting.

All of these videos can also be found on the #mindfulAISD YouTube Playlist. Remember, you can also add these to your GoNoodle account and use mindfulness to help your champ grow stronger.

Both fall courses are full! Thanks to all who signed up. I'm looking forward to spending time with y'all. There will be another set of Intro to Mindfulness courses in the spring. There will also be a course for becoming a Mindfulness Leader on campus in the spring. Stay tuned for dates.

Thursday, November 2 at Baker Rm. 308

8-11 a.m.: Elementary--FULL

1-4 p.m.: Secondary--FULL

Here are a few mindfulness highlights from across the district.

2nd graders leading each other in mindfulness at Highland Park. Students are incredible mindfulness leaders. See tweet for details.

Overton teachers making breathing sticks for their peace areas. They are a simple and effective tool to have in your peace area. See tweet for details.

Circles are a great way to build community in the classroom, during faculty meetings, parent coffees, etc. They are also a nice place to practice a simple mindfulness practice like "Team Breath" or something similar. See tweet for details.

McCallum PALS practicing mindfulness. They'll soon bring some mindfulness practices to their Elementary & Middle school mentees.

Coaches received some mindfulness training and student-athlete leaders will soon receive training.

Teachers at Murchison MS practice yoga every week led by teacher Robyn Stringfellow.

September 2017 Newsletter (Mindfulness videos)

August 2017 Newsletter (Starting mindfulness from Day 1)

2016-2017 Newsletters (One link to access all newsletters from last school year.)

For those using Mindful Classrooms: The Educator Guide, I recommend using Week 7-11 during October. This is a flexible recommendation though. Use what works best for you and your class. AISD staff can sign up for a free electronic copy of the book in the support form at the bottom of this newsletter.

If you haven't filled out the #mindfulAISD Google Form (below) and want to highlight your work and/or receive mindfulness support, please check it out. It only takes a moment to complete. Know someone in AISD interested in mindfulness? Send them this newsletter for them to fill out the Google Form.

James Butler

SEL Mindfulness Specialist

james.butler@austinisd.org