At the Ottawa Area ISD, we believe that self-care involves caring for your own health but also creating health promoting environments within your school. The first portion of this newsletter will focus on educators and administrators to help create a culture of trust and respect among themselves. The second portion will focus on students and helping them to improve their well-being.

Research on the “why” for self-care for educators

Structural Supports to Promote Teacher Well-Being - EdResearch for Recovery

Why Teacher Self-Care Matters and How to Practice Self-Care in your School - Waterford

What Self-Care Is - and What it Isn’t - PsychCentral

Educator Compassion Fatigue Assessment and Self-Care

Professional Quality of Life Measure- the most commonly used measure of the negative and positive effects of helping others who experience suffering and trauma (available in multiple languages) Resources for Self -Care - from PRoQOL

Adult Wellness Screener -seven page comprehensive wellness screener

Self Care Assessment and Planning Worksheet -one page assessment and self care planner

50 Self-Care Ideas for Teachers - The Counseling Teacher

The Zen Teacher

Living S.L.O.W. - Supports the self-care and wellbeing of educators

Self-Care for Student Support Professionals - Trails

5 Strategies for Teacher Self-Care - ASCD

Self-Care for Educators - NCTSN

Self-Care Videos - Dr. Stephanie Grant

Monthly Calendar Self Care Ideas -Many ideas for self-care

The Importance of Self-Care for Administrators - Edutopia

Stay-Well - Support for Teachers and Staff through Webinars

Mindfulness for District Leaders: Resource Pack - Panorama Education

1. Gratitude Jar

2. Staff "Walk and Talk" during meeting

3. Start meetings with a short mindfulness activity - Have different staff lead it each meeting.

4. Self-Care BINGO - Staff “compete” and win a prize for a completed board.

5. Start a “Staff Meeting Playlist” of songs that are chosen by your staff to start your meetings.

6. Read or lead a book club on the book, “Burnout”

7. Book study on the book, “180 Days of Self-Care for Busy Educators.”

8. Have staff develop their own ideas for self-care - “22 for 2022”

9. Volunteer activity as a group suggested by staff

10. Have staff write each other notes of encouragement

180 Days of Self-Care for Busy Educators

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

Take Time for You: Self-Care Action Plans for Educators

The Teacher’s Guide to Self-Care

From Burnt out to Fired Up

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

Mindfulness Practices: Cultivating Heart Centered Communities where Students Focus and Flourish

Their mission is to create opportunities for you to thrive in work and life. They use the latest pedagogical, coaching, and mindfulness techniques to grow resilient, emotionally strong, and high capacity educators.

Monster Meditation in collaboration with Headspace (3:06 mins) more on YouTube

Loving Kindness Meditation (9:31 min)

Engaging Your Senses Meditation (5:47 min)

Mindfulness Task Cards

Mindfulness Breathe Boards

51 Mindfulness Exercises for Kids in the Classroom

Mindfulness for Kids: 12 Calming Exercises to Teach your Child

Mindfulness - BrainPOP

Mindful Breathing Exercises - Action for Healthy Kids

Breathe like a Bear book (Grades K-3) - Book has a YouTube channel with activities

Meditation Apps for Kids - Common Sense Media

Guided Meditation Spotify Playlist

Mindfulness Materials (Grades 3-12) Trails

Worry Jar Activity

Mindful Walk

Self-Care Bingo

Sensory Activities

Self-Care Promise Handout

Kindness Postcards

Create a Me Tree (A Self-Reflection Activity)

Calm Breathing Techniques for Students

Take a Breath: 5 Deep Breathing Exercises that Help Kids get Calm

Free SEL Activities and Practices (pre-K - Adult)

Cosmic Kids Yoga - YouTube videos

Yoga for the Classroom - Yoga with Adriene

From A to Zen (Grades 3-5 Scholastic)

Yoga for Stress Relief (24:19 mins) Ages 9-10

Yoga in the Classroom: Middle School Standing Balance (5:10 mins) Follow DCSD Wellness on YoutTube for more MS videos

58 Fun and Easy Yoga Poses for Kids (printable posters)

40 Kid-Friendly Chair Yoga Poses

Self-Care Activities for Kids

Moshi Kids: Sleep and Mindfulness - YouTube videos

Tips to Practice Self-Care as a Family - Mental Health First Aid

Create a Family Self-Care Plan - Action for Healthy Kids

Taking care of your mental health needs is very important, especially right now during the Covid-19 pandemic. Visit the Ottawa County Department of Public Health's website for more information (includes Allegan county's resource flyer).

Regional School Health Coordinator

Email: ssills@oaisd.org
Website: www.oaisd.org
Location: 13565 Port Sheldon Street, Holland, MI, USA
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-sills/