Welcome to KPMS Mindful Minute
KPMS Guidance Department
We are making History..
If being an adolescent isn't a restless time already, now you are stuck in your homes with your parents all day! Yikes! How do you want to write your part of history???
We want to support you in finding a positive outlook in this scary and unsure time in the world. We want you to do the best you can to continue growing who you are and what makes you you. Even though time feels like it is standing still, you are still growing and maturing. How do you do that (sanely) with all the chaos swirling around you, the news, family stress, trying to learn school work from your computer, not being able to see your friends everyday? Practice some MINDFULNESS and RELAXATION.
Change is difficult, especially when it was not our choice to change. But, we do have control over how we respond to things and control over what is important to us. Mindfulness exercises will help us to focus on the here and now and improve how we respond to things. Like any skill, the more we practice it, the stronger and more automatic it becomes. Our ultimate goal for you is to practice it independently and multiple times during the day.
Drum roll please...
We found out in the survey that you completed in March that a lot of you know about and practice mindfulness. WOW!!!! We want to help you build on that during this time of remote learning. A special shout-out to all of the amazing History teachers who made this survey possible :) The KPMS survey results are:
49% of students are sometimes stressed at school
69% of students are familiar with mindfulness
57% of students practice mindfulness during the school day
55% of students practice mindfulness on their own
What you do with your mind, matters.
Below you will find a short, graphic novel video from Dr. Dan Siegel. This information is from his book, “Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain.” Dr. Siegel identifies the four key features to maintain healthy brain growth: keeping passion in your life, maintaining supportive social networks, trying new things and challenging your mind. These things will boost your insight, empathy, and integration which can lead to a "life of connection, meaning, equanimity and sense of purpose".
Each week we will sending KPMS students a “Mindful Minute”. This will include simple relaxation techniques and mindful strategies you can do on your own at home.
Mindful Activity
Consider this reflection exercise after watching the video below
Writing down thoughts, feelings and goals can help us process and remember them. This time is part of your history. We encourage you to write down your responses to these “Thinking It Through” questions. You can do this reflection in a notebook, in a journal, or anywhere that makes sense to you. If you would like to copy and paste these questions into an email and send to us please do!
What are 2-3 things that are “sticking with you” (they were important, interesting, worth remembering) from the video?
In the video, it was explained that you can use the “Focus of Your Attention” to reinforce the parts of your brain that you want to hold on to.
Share 2-3 areas where you would like to focus your attention. Maybe include why that is important to you.
KPMS Guidance Department
We would love to hear from you. If you would like to share your reflection please feel free to email.
Ms. Barry- barryl@kingphilip.org
Mrs. Spinelli- spinellij@kingphilip.org
Mrs. Goula- goulaj@kingphilip.org