We are a small yet culturally diverse community that values the arts, social-emotional learning, academics and service. Being small means our budget is limited; our greatest resource is our strong relationships and the energy families and staff expend to help develop our elementary children in healthy ways. Teachers work well beyond contracted hours, parents volunteer after full work days, and students arrive before school to receive tutoring or participate in choir. Everyone is stretched thin for a good cause, but everyone is so stressed!
Our kids-the Wildcats-work hard to embody our school PBIS motto: "Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Positive".
But, our students are struggling with all the pressures- state testing, homework, sports, making friends, peer conflict, coping with loss, anxiety and body changes. Some students are refugees with no prior English language instruction, several have experienced traumatic events that impact functioning, some are in foster care, and many receive accommodations for difficulty focusing and managing hyperactivity. Every day, my private counselor mailbox is full of notes from students- they want support around all this stress. This project-Mindful Music Moments- allows everyone to start their day calming their bodies to better prepare for all types of learning.
My Project
Imagine students focused on learning, being kind to one another, taking responsibility for their actions, and being able to organize thoughts and belongings. Imagine them reacting to disappointment without meltdowns, and being able to plan towards reaching their personal goals. Imagine everyone-adults and students- taking time at the start of each school day to ground their bodies and calm their nervous system, so that they can actually open their minds to learning. Imagine using stillness, breathing, and listening to music to reduce stress to help influence behavior in positive ways.
With a school-wide practice like Mindful Music Moments, I believe we will see a decrease in student discipline referrals, a rise in positive behavior, an increase in academic performance and attendance, and an improvement in the quality of relationships and overall school experience.
City Silence's Mindful Music Moments/Founder Stacy Sims, in partnership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, and the Contemporary Arts Center (new music), is serving 30 schools and organizations across 6 districts. With funding through DonorsChoose.org, we can receive: Staff/parent/volunteer mindfulness training and support; Kick off on-site visits and implementation support; One full school year of daily content, playlists, and Mindful Music Moments prompts, recorded VO content and Music Only content (for student or adult leaders internally); Access to information and support regarding our partner organizations youth programs; Pre and post testing, designed with ease-of-implementation and the school's goals in mind; Inclusion of Character Strengths information with classroom support materials and/or tailored value-content; Parent information and support.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Utley and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
