Posts

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Mindful Monday: Soothing Away Stress

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” If you think you’re tired after a day of teaching, you should try being a 4th grader. I recently spent a day shadowing a 4th-grade student at the school where I teach. I went home with a migraine, a backache, and a hangover of fear and humiliation. ” This is a thought-provoking post from a teacher of one of New Orlean’s charter schools, exploring the experience that she had while shadowing a 4th-grade student. It raises the questions: What are some of the challenges our kids face during a school day? And, do we contribute to its resolve or escalation when they return home? Finally, how can we emotionally and mentally prepare our children for the school day?

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Often times, it is the small things that bring us joy and foster gratitude. This Saturday, I had the BEST impromptu nap. In the middle of the day. While the kids were home and awake. How did I pull it off, you ask? Because my super awesome husband knew that I had a hellish week and took care of them while I slept. Do you have someone in your life who is there for you when you feel like you can’t take another step? If so, shower them with love and let them know how valuable they are to you!

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Mindful Monday: Wisdom from Bryant and Brown

Mindful Mondays

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Thank you, Kobe Bryant, for modeling how to pursue your dreams with an elevated level of preparation, persistence, and drive. However, your many MANY accomplishments on the court only represent one of the reasons why you are one of the greatest of all-time to those who love you. Your role as a father and role model for people of all ages is a huge part of our remembrance today. Your life’s work was more than basketball; it included your ability to stand in the gap with your money and time to care for those who did not have the means to access resources vital to their success. From Cathy’s Kids Foundation to After School All-Stars and the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, you cared about the important things – youth in need and their families. May we live inspired by you. May we also care about the important things. May we make the most of our days as educators, pediatric professionals, and parents and strive to use our gifts, time and ability to contribute to a child’s success. Fly with the angels, Kobe and Gigi.

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Mindful Monday: Brotherhood, True Peace and Justice

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Trauma Basics for Youth Workers
“Learn the basic, but critical skills to practice trauma-informed care in your work; whether you’re an educator, therapist, counselor, mentor, or another youth worker. This 2-hour course is free, completely online, and self-paced (you can login and complete at your own leisure ).”

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Books, books and more books! When I can go to a bookstore and walk out with a bag full of books for under $20, I feel like I hit the jackpot! Thanks, Barnes &Noble! (Anyone knows of any local bookstores in the city, let me know! )

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Mindful Monday: Listening and Learning

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Considering the challenges that impede learning, healthy relationship with our kids is necessary to help them calm, connect and learn.

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It’s been a great first full week of the new year! Kudos to all of you that embraced the new year, ready to give our best effort!

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Mindful Monday: It’s a New Year!

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Take the time to discard the people, places and things that hold us in the past or thrust us into the future. Hold on to what helps us remain present, focused and peaceful in the NOW.

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I LOVE this video! It’s such a wonderful alternative from beaches and forest paths. Sometimes, we need cool beats and chill vibes to get our minds refocused. Enjoy!

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Mindful Monday: I like you…just the way you are

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Preparing your students for the holiday break:

  • Allow time to prepare for the break. Scholars have to mentally prepare for changes to their schedules, even changes they think they want. Giving brain-breaking instruction up to the last minute of the last day of school may less helpful than slowing letting off the academic gas towards the end of the week.
  • Remember compassion. Some of our scholars have a lot of mental and emotional weight that comes with the holidays. They may not behave like scholars who are expecting a fun-filled Christmas break.
  • Take time to Self-Care. Holidays tend to be hectic and, sometimes, overwhelming. So, plan some down-time for self-care. Whatever makes you feel fulfilled and at peace should be on your To-Do list during the break.

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50% of the 5th-grade scholars earned a Mastery or Advance on the LEAP 360 Math interim assessment! 50%!!! Kudos to Mr. Malveaux for his dedication to our scholars and their hard work on this assessment!

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Mindful Monday: Compassionate Empathy

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Are we growing under the Tree of Compassionate Empathy? Are we blooming in the soil of warmth, insight and mutual respect? When we spread seeds of kindness, inclusivity, and authenticity into the earth around us, we ARE growing. We ARE blooming.

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This video provides us with a perfect pattern of breathing to help us overwhelm our bouts of anxiety. It is also a wonderful brain break regardless of how you feel!

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On Black Friday, the transmission on my car died while driving 45 miles an hour on I-49 with traffic. So, I am very grateful for God’s safety and protection that allowed us to coast into an empty parking lot without incident. I am also grateful for the ten years of memories created with that car; so many experiences, friendships and decisions were made behind the wheel of my trusty Altima.

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Today, You are Six

Edison

I thought I didn’t want to be a mother. I loved working with children and did so with passion and energy. But, I wasn’t sure if I would be a good mother. And then you were born. I can’t even remember life before you. My love for humanity expanded in a way I cannot explain when you were born.

You are a gem. One of a kind. My little Spartan. My wild, wonderful, and wacky Edison. You see the world from such a unique perspective and help me gain understanding and insight into what it’s like to be a kid in today’s world.

Your superpower is Hyperlexia and, although do not understand it, makes you one of the most interesting, most intelligent people I know. You can read at a second grade level and you already know your multiplication facts for your four ones, fives and tens.

You are smitten by little babies and you fiercely protect your brother, even from me sometimes. ?

I can’t explain how much I love you. I just do.

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday to you.

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Mindful Monday: Spread the Power

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Consider the reality that some people did not have wonderful family-oriented holiday plans. Some dealt with grief during this season while others struggled with abandonment and broken promises. Some ate peanut butter sandwiches instead of 5-course Thanksgiving spread. Our friends, family, co-workers may have experienced too much heartache or not enough connection during this holiday. So, today, share grace and compassion with others. Give them a bit of time to reacclimate to post-holiday life and let them know that you’re there for them. Being Present is the BEST gift.

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So, we bit the bullet and hosted Edison’s birthday party at ChuckECheese this weekend. What would have been an overwhelming experience (for both him and me, seriously!) became very manageable, thanks to Paige, our birthday host! She made the experience go by smoothly, which allowed us to enjoy his birthday party. Kudos to chuckecheese.com and Paige! We just might party there again!

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