Barnegat Schools Expand Social Emotional Learning With Grant

BARNEGAT, NJ — A new program that teaches children coping skills through meditation and mindfulness soon will be used throughout Barnegat Township School District (BTSD) elementary schools.

DreamyKid, an app that connects children and mindfulness through meditation, guided visualization, healing activities and affirmations, will be used in the district this fall thanks to a grant from the Maximilian Foundation.

The Maximilian Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides funding to local schools for programs that benefit children in a positive way.

The Foundation’s mission is to support programs that prevent self-destructive behaviors created by adolescent insecurities by nourishing character, building confidence and growing the life skills needed to make better choices.

“The combination of healthy coping skills and emotional intelligence speaks to the prevention of later in life substance abuse,” said Michele Cucinotta, BTSD Drug Free Community Grant Coordinator, in a statement. “It is our hope — and the mission of the Maximilian Foundation — that students choose healthy behaviors, like meditation, in their future when faced with stress.”

BTSD began partnering with the Maximilian Foundation in 2018. The Foundation helped bring Mind Yeti to the district during the 2019-2020 school year, to help children calm their minds, focus their attention and connect to the world around them.

“Social emotional learning is a very important part of educating the whole child,” said BTSD Superintendent Dr. Brian Latwis. “We want to give all of our students the best tool kit to succeed in life, and that’s much more than just academics. Hopefully, teaching them healthy ways to deal with stress now will help them throughout their lives.”

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