• Free Retreats for Educators
• New Mindful AISD Video
  
• Mindfulness on Class Dojo
• Mindfulness for Teens
• Cunningham Mindfulness in the News
• HCP Mindfulness Courses in the Spring
• Mindful Happenings in AISD

Student & Teacher Mindfulness Leaders Wanted for #mindfulAISD Videos: We are filming new mindfulness videos every month for y'all to use in class. 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.

Hemera Foundation has opportunities for FREE or half-off retreats for educators. Take a look if you'd like to further deepen your personal mindfulness practice. Special thanks to Aimee Finney (Austin HS) and Trent Steavenson (Travis HS) for bringing these opportunities to our attention.

Below is a new video featuring Ms. Newton's class from Murchison Middle School using Calm Classroom. Secondary teachers, please let me know if you'd like access to the Calm Classroom book.

Please let me know if you'd like your class to be featured in a Mindful AISD video.

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.

During a visit to Sunset Valley last week, I discovered that Class Dojo features lessons on mindfulness. There are videos and discussion topics to use in class.

Mindfulness For Teens has some guided mindfulness sessions available online. There are other resources on the site as well.

Cunningham Elementary's mindfulness efforts were featured by KVUE & KUT this past month. Their awesome counselor Kimberly Skinner offers mindful stretching to each student every other week. Cunningham & Kimberly Skinner are very deserving of this recognition.

Baldwin Elementary students were also featured in the KUT piece with some great quotes.

Last week, the first editions of Intro to Mindfulness for Elementary & Secondary happened at Baker. There was a good turnout for both courses and there will be more and new courses in the spring. Below are the courses that will be featured. Dates TBD.

• Intro to Mindfulness--Elementary
• Intro to Mindfulness--Secondary
• Being a Campus Mindfulness Leader--Elementary
• Being a Campus Mindfulness Leader--Secondary
• Mindfulness Lessons for Elementary Counselors
• Mindfulness Lessons for Elementary Librarians

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Fall Mindfulness Challenge. Congrats to Casey Elementary who had the highest number of staff members participate in the Mindfulness Challenge. Congrats also to Natalie Turner, Casey Elementary Counselor, whose name was randomly chosen for the Self-Care Gift.

Here are a few mindfulness highlights from across the district.

Ann Richards PALS use a glitter jar as an example of how they can use mindfulness with their elementary school PALees.

The first round of HCP Intro to Mindfulness courses were completed last week. This photo features secondary teachers playing a Rock Paper Scissors tournament with awareness of sensations that arise while playing the game. See tweet for more.

Marissa Rivera (LASA) & Meagan Butler (Counseling Dept.) presented "The Neuroscience of Mindfulness: How to Encourage Mindfulness on your Campus" at the national conference in Chicago last week. See tweet for more.

Dr. Cruz visited Rodriguez Elementary and had an opportunity to visit their Mindfulness Studio. Thanks for your support of mindfulness, Dr. Cruz! See tweet for more.

The Dobie Pre-K Center has created a mindfulness space for their staff. It's still under construction, but it's off to an amazing start. They plan on providing teachers occasional mindfulness breaks throughout the day for opportunities to recharge. See tweet for more.

Padron Elementary created a peaceful space for their staff to recharge during planning, lunch or after school. See tweet for more.

October 2017 Newsletter (Videos, Meditation Bar Gift, Mindfulness Challenge)

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 12-14 during November. 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