Mindful Moment for the Week
On Sunday afternoon I came home from grocery shopping to find my teenage daughter and her boyfriend ready to carve three pumpkins from the local patch. With the sky clear, the breeze just right, the leaves a perfect fall color, and knowing how infrequent times like these with my teen are, I set my bags down in the kitchen, grabbed a blanket, and, for a few moments, set aside all the household duties I had planned to do.
As an educator, have I been feeling the overwhelm that Argos mentioned last week as we approach the end of the first quarter? Yes, indeed I have. Have my shoulders crept up around my ears, have “emotional support cookies” been sought out more frequently, and have too many episodes of Madam Secretary been viewed after dinner? Most certainly. If this is true for you, I’m right there with you.
As our cozy team of pumpkin carvers scooped out messy strings of pulp and seeds, my body settled into a happiness associated with the quality things in my life, things that authentically nourish me: hands-on work, a pace that is slow and livable, being truly present with those I love, and taking care of my body and mind. Those precious moments made a palpable and positive difference in how I felt the rest of the day and how I approached all the other things I needed to do (including putting away the groceries). My invitation for you today is, in the midst of everything, to find a moment to put down the grocery bags. Can we set aside the duties we carry, if only for a short while, and allow ourselves to be in a moment that truly matters to us? Whether it’s a brief but genuine exchange with a student, a glance at the beauty of the sky while walking into school, or time for a cherished family tradition, I invite you to notice what arises when something else, even briefly, is set down.
Wishing you well in the week ahead,
Lucy MacGregor
Mindful Schools Faculty
Social Emotional Learning
Information from Second Step
- Family Communications Now in Available in French
- Did you know that all family communications included in the Second Step® Elementary and Second Step® Middle School digital programs are available in 13 languages? Visit our FAQ page to learn more about the options.
- We’ve also provided Unit 2 Family Letters that can help parents and caregivers talk with their kids about bullying and harassment. Find them by selecting a grade in the Engage Families section of the Dashboard.
National School Psychology Week
The week of November 6 - 10 is National School Psychology Week. We have an amazing group of school psychologists in our district!
"During the week of November 6-10, 2023 schools throughout the United States will celebrate National School Psychology Week (NSPW) to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students thrive. This year's theme is "Let's Grow Together," inspired by the importance of both personal and shared strengths in our growth as individuals and school communities in every season of life. The theme recognizes every aspect of growth, as fundamental to effective learning environments and to school psychologists' role in supporting student well-being and learning." https://www.nasponline.org/research-and-policy/advocacy/national-school-psychology-week-(nspw)
School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students; consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies; work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies; and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. https://www.dodea.edu/news/observance-calendar/national-school-psychology-week
Many thanks to Kelly, Andrew, Danielle, Christina, and Sam for their hard work and dedication!
Membership
Don't forget to join the PTA! For just $5 for the year, you can support our wonderful PTA! Click on this link - https://hamiltontownshippta.memberhub.com/store#.
Grants
Here is a link to the PTA Grant form: