The Mindful Classroom
Each day, NDES begins and ends the day in prayerful reflection. As a Catholic school, prayer and reflection are not foreign concepts, but a cornerstone of the Catholic faith. So, when the Mindful Classroom was introduced, its philosophy naturally complemented NDES’ mission, vision and core values.
The Mindful Classroom, developed by Mr. James Butler, is a program that uses five-minute daily practices that empower teachers to help students focus on the present moment. Through yoga poses and breathing exercises, specifically designed for classrooms, students become aware of their bodies and surroundings and develop a lifelong capacity for self-awareness and stress management.
Each grade employs mindfulness in many different ways. In preschool, yoga is integrated into the core curriculum with students taking part in yoga classes each week. At the elementary level, Mrs. Rachel Gardner’s first-grade class and Miss Julie Amantea’s second-grade class begin their daily math and reading lessons with yoga poses and breathing exercises. Before students settle into their desks, observers will find them on the floor, legs crossed, eyes closed, deeply breathing and in the moment.
“I find the children are more focused on their lessons after a mindful moment”, shares Miss Amantea.
“The exercises are fun and the children really look forward to these mindful moments each day”, states Mrs. Gardner.
In today’s rapidly changing world, children face unique social and emotional challenges. NDES understands and is responding by empowering our children with self-awareness tools they can use to develop resilience, confidence and faith on life’s journey.
FIRST LEGO Robot Mania
On Nov. 11, all four NDES FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics teams tested their LEGO Robotics knowledge and skills at a scrimmage held at Willoughby School of Innovation.
“This was a tremendous learning opportunity. Our students learned from other students as well as began to understand the competition process,” shares Mrs. Halle Davis, NDES STEM teacher. “We have much work to complete for the December competition, but we are on target for a first-year team.”
In addition to the afterschool FLL Robotics teams, NDES offers STEM enrichment classes and integrates STEM content and techniques within the core curriculum. In December, students will be competing in the FLL Regional Tournament held at Avon Middle School.