North Merrick Everyday Health
December 2022
A Message from the Superintendent
Dear Parents, Students, Faculty and Staff,
There is nothing more important than the social and emotional well-being of our students, staff and community, and we are excited to feel a sense of normalcy as this school year has unfolded. I was proud to be selected as one of 10 superintendents from districts across Long Island to be featured in a Newsday article in September in which I spoke about our district's Mental Health and Wellness Coalition and programs. The piece caught the eye of another Newsday reporter who interviewed me and three H.D. Fayette students. Please see that article, attached below. We have much to share in this e-newsletter with you!
International Walk to School Day
Update on Morning Meetings and Closing Circles
This year, discussions have focused on the themes of self-care and social responsibility. For example, Ms. Guidice stopped in to Mr. Ufier's fifth grade class at Old Mill Road School one morning and listened to their thoughts about a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while they also created uplifting messages from the book Zen Happiness. The students then reflected on the attributes of truth and kindness.
"I was inspired by all the enlightening conversations I was hearing. The feelings of safety and belonging are needs. Academics are important, but SEL is the foundation for student success," explains Ms. Guidice.
Mindfulness Clubs Continue to Flourish
The Mindful Mentors Clubs for grades 5-6 provide both mindfulness activities and training for the older students to teach the younger students about mindfulness strategies and techniques. "Research shows that peer education is powerful," explains Todd Benjamin, chairperson of the Mental Health and Wellness Coalition, "The older students become heroes and positive role models." In April, the clubs will join together in a Saturday retreat where the older students will have the opportunity to lead the younger students in mindful activities and physical exercises.
what's Inside a Calm Box?
Integrating Restorative Practices In the Classroom
Ms. Sekunda and Mr. Benjamin discussed the Restorative Practices continuum - from informal processes, such as "affective" statements to express feelings, to formal processes, which include circles and conferencing. They also talked about the social discipline window, a tool to create a classroom environment in which students feel meaningfully connected. The group then practiced sharing in circle and utilizing affective statements.
"We wanted to demonstrate how Restorative Practices can enhance trust and further build relationships with the students they so closely work with," added Ms. Sekunda.