Happy Summer! 

You made it - WE all made it!!
We're in the home stretch and it's been quite a journey! Take some time now, both parents and students, to celebrate all of your accomplishments, your hard work, your positive attitudes, your grit and determination. Please always remember that we grow stronger when we tackle experiences that make us feel uncomfortable....So far 2020 has given us many uncomfortable situations and we can all learn and grow from all that we have endured.

Click Here to view a short video to remind you about the power of positive thinking

As you know, we also believe in the power of Mindfulness and all of it's benefits! Below is a poster reminding all of us about how to be more mindful! 

And finally, this was so fun to share last summer, so why not share it again!! It has even more meaning this summer - so go for it! Take on this mindful summer bucket list - or at least try out a few of the ideas!! 

The Mindful Summer Bucket List

• Read a book about mindfulness (see a list of top recommendations here)

• Eat an entire meal in silence — pay attention to the act of eating and to the taste of the food

• Go for a walk — with no iPhone, no music…. just pay attention

• Get a mindfulness coloring book and spend an afternoon coloring

• Watch Inside Out

• Start a gratitude journal — and write in it once a week

• Take a 24-hour technology detox — no phone, Internet, TV, etc.

• Declare a Day of Kindness and volunteer, engage in random acts of kindness, smile at people you see, and make people’s days

• Teach a mindfulness practice to your kids

• Forgive someone for something (maybe yourself?)

• Practice mindful walking

• Try these breathing exercises that my son learned in kindergarten

• Change up a daily activity — brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand, drive a different route to work, sit in a different spot in your morning meeting…. Go wild!

• Put on some music and dance — just move however your body wants to move

• Practice lovingkindness

• Take a class — art, painting, drumming, dance, tai chi

• Make a list of the things you love about yourself

• Do a 30-minute body scan meditation

• Declutter an area in your house that’s driving you crazy

• Make a mind jar

• Watch a sunrise

• Make a list of the top 10 things that help YOU reduce stress — and post it somewhere you will see it every day

• Create a meditation space or a calm-down space in your home

• Meditate outside

• Watch a Cosmic Kids Zen Den or GoNoodle mindfulness video with your child

• Sign up for the Calm.com app and practice the "Daily Calm"

• LIsten to some relaxing music for kids from Mindful Kids

• Go outside and look up! Do some stargazing or cloud gazing!

• Make a list of things you can control and things you can't control - here's one visual to help you with this: 
  

Wishing you all some peace, relaxation and perhaps a few adventures this summer! We might still need to use physical distancing....but please stay socially connected!!
Take care,
Mrs. MacKinnon and Mrs. Reynolds