Mindful Movement

Mindful movement incorporates movement and breathing together to help both teachers and students to increase concentration, lessen emotional reactivity and increase positive relationships within the classroom.  Students and staff are offered the opportunity to participate in training where they learn the concepts of mindful movement and how to first develop personal practices and then collective practices in the classroom as life-long tools for students to elevate their voice, culture and emotional autonomy. Mindful movement benefits include increasing self-awareness, to support the unpacking of racail biases, and promoting prosocial attitudes, such as empathy, which is core competencies of SEL.  

Social Emotional Learning

Social emotional learning (SEL) is implemented in BCCS through curriculum and instruction, as well as relationship-building. Additionally, the District Wellness Committee supports SEL skill-building for adults and students, through the understanding that, "All learning is social and emotional - even for adults." (CASEL, 2020). One of five core competencies of social-emotional learning is social-awareness; mindful movement increases social-awareness; anti-racist practices are rooted in self-awareness and social awareness that supports identification of systemic oppression and implicit biases. We understand that social emotional learning needs to be culturally responsive in order to meet the needs of the individual and the community. 

Anti-Racist Practices

We believe that we must implement practices that disrupt systemic inequities and challenge personal biases in order to create anti-racist systems and empathetic environments as an effective method for improving education outcomes for each student. Anti-racist mindsets and practices must be embedded mindfully in SEL techniques in order for all students and staff to feel included and safe. Knowing that unjust and racist systems create stress and dis-ease for all in the community (including the oppressed, the oppressors and the silently complicit), the BCCS District Wellness Committee is commited to implementing policy and programs to dismantle inequites and create an inclusive community.