Posts

Mindfulness in the Classroom

Image
Mindfulness in the Classroom As awareness of student stress and anxiety increases, mindfulness in school settings is becoming increasingly popular. According to Psychology Today, mindfulness " is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you carefully observe your thoughts and feelings without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to your current experience, rather than dwelling on the past or anticipating the future."  Many teachers and students at Sunset Ridge School have explored mindfulness exercises and activities to increase attention spans, calm excited bodies, and regulate emotions. Yoga, deep breathing, or short burst of exercise can be used as "brain breaks". These quick activities provide a structured pause, or time-out, from routine or intense classroom activities that allow students to reset or recharge. Many adults take mini-br

Connecting with Small Steps and Big Goals

Image
Guest Blog by Dr. Ivy Sukenik, Principal of Sunset Ridge School Welcome to our Small Steps, Big Goals blog!  The brainchild of sixth-grade teacher, Jennifer Kahlenberg.  Small Steps, Big Goals will be a space where we highlight just a fraction of the phenomenal work being done by students and teachers here at Sunset Ridge. Sunset Ridge, with its population of 275 students and 60 staff, gives new meaning to the phrase "small, but mighty!"  We currently have more than 10 clubs, award-winning band and orchestra programs, state champion robotics team, 8 interscholastic athletic teams, and a visionary student council, in addition to the world class instruction happening in each of our classrooms. Birth of a Vision In the spring of 2018, Sheri Styczen, our Director of Technology and Innovation, Lauren Gray, our Library and Informational Technology Specialist, Kim Heilenbach, our Computer Science Educator, and I had the incredible good fortune of attending SXSWEdu, in A