From practicing mindfulness to learning the importance of mental health, administrators, students and staff commemorated the National Association of School Psychologists “School Psychology Awareness Week” from Nov. 13-16. District school psychologists planned and implemented various activities at Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue schools fitting this year’s “School Psychology Awareness Week” theme, “Unlock Your Potential.”

School psychologists visited classrooms during the week to teach students about mindfulness, growth mindset (how intelligence can be developed), how to make positive decisions and how to empower others. With the district always striving to build upon each students social-emotional learning abilities, these important lessons connected to daily classroom initiatives such as the mood meter which is a chart of colors that represent different feelings and help students reflect on their own emotions. 

At Clear Stream Avenue School, classes participated in an engaging “Escape the Room” activity with school psychologist Jennifer Orellana. The students gathered in the gymnasium and were placed into four groups where they were challenged to solve puzzles and uncover clues to open various locked boxes. The activity enabled students to unlock their own potential and demonstrate growth mindset through team work, problem-solving and critical thinking. 

At Forest Road School, classes received a visit from school psychologists Sonya Jackson and Dr. Francyne Zeltser who facilitated a “Break the Code” activity. The riddle activity allowed students to continue strengthening their social-emotional learning skills inside the classroom with their teachers and identify their feelings. Special push-in lessons were also conducted at Shaw Avenue School. School psychologists Dr. Lauraine Casella and Dr. Zeltser visited classes to discuss the significance of growth mindset, which followed by a corresponding activity.