Take 5 For SEL

Renewal and intention setting for a new year.

The natural world uses the winter as a time to replenish and prepare for a new year of growth. Bears prepare for hibernation and rattlesnakes settle into a state of brumation. Snow accumulation recharges mountain springs for the spring & summer. Soils and plants rest and repair. This dormant season can be an opportunity to recharge and practice intentional care for our spirits, bodies and minds.

January can be an opportunity for a fresh start in our classrooms and at home, particularly when attending to SEL for students and ourselves. Even though it's the middle of the school year, our essential SEL practices can still ring true. Starting with a few intention setting questions can help serve as a reset:

• What do I need right now?
• How can I reconnect with students and families?
• What has gone well so far this school year - for students? For families? For teachers and staff?
• What do I want to continue?
• What do I want to change?
• What are my resources for help and support?
• What essential practices and routines do I want to revisit?

For us to remain socially and emotionally healthy, we can strive to be patient, activate curiosity and give grace to ourselves and each other.

Sunday, January 1, New Year's Day

January 2nd, Student and Staff Holiday

January 3rd & 4th, Student Holidays

Monday, January 16th, Student and Staff Holiday, observance of Martin Luther King Jr. birthday, Day of Service

Tuesday, January 17th, Hays CISD Careers on Wheels, COW Day at the PAC.

Sunday, January 22, Chinese New Year Officially Begins. Spring Festival lasts until Feb.1. ~ Year of the Rabbit

Sunday, January 22, Hi, How are You Day for Austin and the State of Texas

Tuesday, January 24, Hays CISD Multilingual Parent Night at Lehman High School

Careers on Wheels Day is Scheduled for Tuesday, January 17th at the PAC. COW Day is a career exploration event for the 1700+ 8th grade students in Hays CISD. Students from each of our six middle schools converge on the event to experience careers, businesses, and industries found in our local communities. They get to see for themselves the variety of Career and Technical Education programs Hays CISD has to offer at the high school level!

January is National Mentoring Month!

https://hihowareyou.org/happyhabits

HI HOW ARE YOU DAY (January 22) is the annual celebration of the life and legacy of the late musician, songwriter, and visual artist Daniel Johnston and is an officially recognized day by both the City of Austin and the State of Texas. It’s a day to ask others “HI, HOW ARE YOU?” and really mean it, and reminds us to have open conversations about mental health and well-being.

Department of Guidance, Counseling, SEL and College and Career Readiness.

Tracy.Mayhue@hayscisd.net

Look for the February Issue of Take 5 for SEL on Wednesday February 1st ~ Celebrating Black History Month