Mindfulness at Cook Middle School Presented to Santa Rosa School Board January 25, 2017
Where did Mindfulness Originate? Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: (MBSR) 40 years of evidence based research by Jon Kabat Zinn Medical intervention for patients with difficult to treat conditions. depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and chronic stress, We also know of the negative effects of recurrent, and complex trauma on the developing brain. 2
What is Mindfulness Today Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. ~Jon Kabat Zinn Three skills working together: Concentration Power Sensory Clarity Equanimity~ Peace of mind Bringing awareness to one s experience mindfulness can be applied to our senses, thoughts, and emotions by using sustained attention and noticing our experience without overidentifying.~mindful Schools Website 3
Why Mindfulness? Forty years of research shows: Better Focus and Concentration Increased Sense of Calm Decreased Stress and Anxiety Improved Impulse Control Increased Self Awareness Skillful Responses to Difficult Emotions Increased Empathy and Understanding of Others Development of Natural Conflict Resolution Skills 4
What is Mindfulness in Schools Student Definition: Noticing what s happening right now. Create the pause between action and reaction See Diagram 5
Without Mindfulness Trauma Situation or Action Inappropriate Reaction With Mindfulness Trauma Situation or Action Mindfulness Pause Appropriate Reaction 6
Why at Cook? HTES began its service in January of 2014 in the aftermath of Andy Lopez tragedy. There was strong community support for the children who were affected by the tragedy. Teachers, staff, and administrators were also affected and needed more support. Developed with staff Lectures on ACES, Trauma Informed Care, Vicarious Trauma, Boundaries, The effects of Stress on the Brain 7
The Development of Mindfulness at Cook Monthly support groups, 1:1 consultations, Classroom observations, 2 years of two-day retreats, and clinical research led to mindfulness. Talking with teachers, visiting Visitacion Middle School in SF, viewing Paper Tigers, studying the contemporary data, Site Team decided on whole school implementation of Mindfulness. 8
How Mindfulness works at Cook Signs are posted on fence and walls to announce office closure from 8:00 8:15, and 1:40 1:55. Inside the office: lights are off, doors are locked, phones go unanswered. Commence the Day: 8:00 A.M. ~ 8:15 A.M. in 1st Period class Office staff participates in lounge. All guests and late arrivals participate in cafeteria. Flow into end of day, start of Period 6: 1:40 P.M. to 1:55 P.M. Substitutes receive mindfulness information in Substitute binder or experienced staff member (LCMS/Humanidad) is assigned to lead. 9
Possible Effects of Mindfulness: Behavior Data through the first week of January each year 10
Possible Effects of Mindfulness: Grades Effect on Grades? Honor Roll Comparison: G.P.A. s equal or greater than 3.0 11
Possible Effects of Mindfulness: Attendance P1 Enrollments: P1 2016: 401 P1 2015: 391 12
What LCMS Staff is saying about it What a difference from last year, Mindfulness is the big reason -- English Teacher Students have really connected quickly this year with us and each other. We can do so much more in class now --P.E. teacher Things are so much calmer this year...mindfulness. --Math teacher Much less traffic in the office this year; different vibe on campus -- LCMS Office staff 13
What LCMS students and families are saying about it The campus is so much calmer than last year --8th grader 1st period (Mindfulness) gets me in the mood for school --several 7th & 8th graders I am learning to stop and think about things before doing something --7th & 8th graders So many fewer fights and problems this year --8th graders It (1 st period Mindfulness) really helps me calm down and focus after rushing to school 8 th grader 14
Other examples of Mindfulness at SRCS Several aspects of employing mindfulness involves some on-campus support: Spring 2017: 15 Elsie Allen teachers, counselors and administration to pilot mindfulness in classrooms and with staff. Creating a Best Plus bridge between Cook and Elsie Allen. Bringing a Humanidad counselor onto Elsie Allen campus to facilitate a group with an Elsie Allen counselor to bring continuity for ninth graders. 15
Mindfulness Spreading Several aspects of employing mindfulness involves some on-campus support: Humanidad opened a Renewal Room at Elsie Allen Fall Semester, staffed by 40 SSU service-learning volunteers. Elsie Allen counselors joined Humanidad counselors in One Circle group facilitation training last summer to provide Girl Circle and Boy s Council groups Spring 2017. 16
Mindfulness: One of Many changes The Mindfulness Program cannot take credit for the improvements alone at Cook: Clinicians working daily with students BEST PLUS GLAD instructional Strategies Bridge Program Staff awareness on Trauma Informed Care Behavioral training and supports 17
Models for the future Developing a rubric to determine campus readiness for Mindfulness and other Trauma Informed Care in Education practices. Menu of options for other schools to follow 1. Awareness psychoeducational lectures on Trauma Informed Education, ACES, Vicarious Trauma (a very popular topic), Boundaries, etc 2. Workshops on Mindful practices, community building, or teaching retreats, student counseling, and group services, opening a Renewal Room, 3. Mindfulness implementation, sustainability and support. 18
Questions to consider What are the connections for Mindfulness into BEST PLUS and how can we modify the SRCS infrastructure to allow the Trauma Informed Care in Education model to be the basis for district wide change and transformation? 19
Any Questions 20