What is Mindfulness?*

Mindfulness can be defined in many different ways. According to mindfulschools.org, mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment with openness and curiosity. Mindfulness is a state, a trait, and a practice.

Why Mindfulness?

Studies demonstrate that mindfulness practice can help decrease stress and anxiety, and strengthen resilience and emotional regulation, for both adults and children; there is a link between positive emotional classroom climates and academic achievement. 

In randomized controlled trials, teachers who learned mindfulness experienced a variety of benefits ranging from reduced stress and burnout, greater efficacy in doing their jobs, more emotionally supportive classrooms and better classroom organization.

Research also finds that youth who practice mindfulness develop attention and learning skills, social and emotional skills, and resilience.

Burroughs Parent Mindfulness Committee

Burroughs PTA has funded a Mindfulness Program since 2017. A two-year program with Jen Feriancek (Mindfulness Educator at Wise Owl Mindfulness) laid a foundation for mindfulness in our learning community. Starting with the 2019-2020 school year, the Parent Mindfulness Committee was established to continue the PTA funded mindfulness program at Burroughs. 

Our Mission

Our mission is to support the implementation of mindfulness tools that promote the social and emotional well-being of our Burroughs community. 

Our Goals

The social and emotional well-being of our staff, students, and families is important to us. The committee’s goals are to:

1. Support Burroughs staff in identifying and implementing mindfulness-based educational strategies
2. Implement parent or family-based mindfulness initiatives throughout the school year 
3. Provide an opportunity for Burroughs parents to propose and discuss ideas to integrate mindfulness into the school culture
4. Research and evaluate mindfulness program models and activities for Burroughs to consider as long-term strategies

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We look forward to sharing more new content on mindfulness soon - stay tuned! In the meantime, please explore links to the right for ways to try mindfulness at home with your family.

Contact us

If you are interested in joining the Parent Mindfulness Group to support students and staff in their mindfulness efforts, please contact Alison Campbell alisonjcam@icloud.com.Thank you!

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*All supporting evidence is from the Mindful Schools website, www.mindfulschools.org, which includes a complete reference list.