Greenwich Public Schools Participate In Mindfulness Retreat

From Greenwich Public Schools: KEEP CALM – LET GO AND MOVE ON is one of many Social Emotional Learning activities organized by the Greenwich Public Schools (GPS) this year as a way to promote a safe school climate by fostering social-emotional skills in our students and reinforcing the District Norms. The 2016-2017 school year marks the fourth year of events celebrating the District Norms: Be Here, Be Safe, Be Honest, Care for Self and Others, Let Go and Move On. Using lesson plans developed by mental health professionals and teachers, schools across the District will participate in these Social Emotional Learning activities. This year, the program will expand into the community with the support of a grant from the Greenwich Alliance for Education.

The GPS Social Emotional Learning events and activities invite the entire community to Dare 2 Care. Greenwichschools.org/SELevents

On Saturday, May 20, 2017 and Saturday, June 10, 2017, students in the Greenwich Public Schools will celebrate KEEP CALM – LET GO AND MOVE ON by participating in Mindfulness Retreats (May 20 for Grade K-5 Students and Families and June 10 for Grade 6-12 Students). The Mindfulness Retreats are a new addition to the many events GPS organizes throughout the school year as a way to promote safe school climate by fostering social-emotional skills such as compassion, self-regulation and attention in our students and reinforcing the district’s norms.

WHAT: Mindfulness is a particular way of paying attention. It is the mental faculty of purposefully bringing awareness to one’s experience. Mindfulness can be applied to sensory experience, thoughts, and emotions by using sustained attention and noticing our experience without reacting.

Students will:

• practice mindfulness meditations such as mindful breathing, mindful listening, etc.;
• learn about the brain and how to use mindfulness to manage stress;
• practice simple Yoga techniques and relaxation exercises;
• engage in mindful activities such as coloring, mindful walking or mindful eating; and
• parents and their children will spend quality time together and engage in games and stress- free crafting activities

The KEEP CALM – LET GO AND MOVE ON Mindfulness Retreats will be held at Parkway School, 141 Lower Cross Road, Greenwich, CT 06831. On Saturday, May 20, 2017 and Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Parkway School, 141 Lower Cross Road, Greenwich, CT 06831.

The KEEP CALM – LET GO AND MOVE ON event is a meaningful initiative in two ways: First, 30 years of research and, more recently, brain science, offer compelling evidence to support the use of mindfulness in education. The application of mindfulness by students and educators has the potential to improve academic achievement, mental health, and inter- and intra-personal relationships. Second, mindfulness has also been shown to contribute directly to the development of cognitive and performance skills in children. When children and young people learn to be more “present” and less anxious, they often find they can pay attention better and improve the quality of their performance, in the classroom, on the sports field, and in the performing arts for example. They often become more focused and able to approach situations from a fresh perspective and use existing knowledge more effectively, Through practice, children and adults also improve their wellbeing, reduce worries, anxiety, distress, reactivity and bad behavior, improve sleep, and self-esteem, and bring about greater calmness, relaxation, and self-regulation and awareness.

HOW: Several district psychologists and other trained professionals will engage the participants in mindfulness and Yoga practices along with other fun activities to foster awareness, calmness and quality time among parents and their children.

There will be media opportunities at both KEEP CALM – LET GO AND MOVE ON Mindfulness Retreats. Please contact the school representative ahead of arrival. Contact: Alina Agiurgioaei Boie, GPS Psychologist E-mail: alina_agiurgioaeiboie@greenwich.k12.ct.us Phone number: 203-413- 8400 extension 7371.

Image Courtesy of Greenwich Public Schools