Mindful Moment
Sometimes the most important thing in the whole day is the
rest we take between two deep breaths.
– Etty Hillesum
Mindfulness is both a practice and a way of relating to life. Researchers define it as the awareness that arises when we intentionally pay attention in a kind, open, and discerning way. When we are mindful, we focus on the present moment non-judgmentally. A mindful moment is the practice of maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, and is crucial for both adults and young children. For adults, it can lead to reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced cognitive function, including better concentration and decision-making skills. In young children, mindfulness helps in developing self-awareness, empathy, and resilience, vital for emotional and social development. The regular practice of mindful moments can offer significant benefits across different stages of life, fostering overall mental well-being and healthier relationships with oneself and others.
We are excited to announce that our monthly P-3 publication will now include Mindful Moments. The purpose is to provide resources aligned to support P-3 educators and students. This month, we are sharing two great resources to support your mindful endeavors:
-
Encouraging Kindness in Kids: Research suggests that children have a strong, perhaps innate, propensity for kind or altruistic behavior, which involves acting to promote someone else’s welfare. However, research also suggests that there are particular ways kids can be encouraged — or discouraged — from acting on this propensity. This practice offers specific techniques that can help nudge kids toward kindness and generosity, behaviors that are not only good for the people they help but for their own well-being, too.
-
Mindful Expression Through Art by Melissa Dormoy, slightly adapted and curated from Green Child Magazine (2024): In this mindful art meditation children can practice creative expression through their imagination or you can guide them through a meditative art session. This practice offers children the chance to express themselves through art. They can choose to use their imagination and visualize the creative process, or you can lead this meditation while they use art supplies to make their own art creation.
We hope you enjoyed this Mindful Moment! If you would like to connect with a member of our P-3 Team on how we can support you with Mindful Moments, please send us an email.
Your partners in education,
San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) P-3 Team
|
|
TK Resource Guide for Families, Educators
SDCOE created a resource guide on transitional kindergarten (TK). It contains a helpful question-and-answer section for families with an eligible-age student and resources for future and current TK teachers. The language may be useful for sharing with prospective students and your school community as we continue the work to add a grade level and align preschool through grade 3. |
|
|
|
The P-3 in Partnership Podcast |
|
 |
2023-24
Student Phase-In
5th birthday between Sept. 2 and April 2
Teacher-to-Student Ratios
1:10 (contingent on funding)
|
|
|
|
2024-25
Student Phase-In
5th birthday between Sept. 2 and June 2
Teacher-to-Student Ratios
1:10 (contingent on funding)
|
|
|
|
2025-26
Student Phase-In
Fourth birthday by Sept. 1
Full implementation
|
|
|
|
It's Not Too Late! Sign up for the P-3 Administrator Institute
Investigate powerful P-3 practices at the P-3 Administrator Institute. All district and school administrators are invited to this two-day institute to develop and explore their P-3 system. This institute provides intentional, in-depth time for participants to examine their current strengths and opportunities within their P-3 system in order to make actionable and relevant site-based changes. This exciting opportunity will foster learning, collaboration, and action planning to build a cohesive P-3 continuum. Come and leverage county partners in this exciting work. Register for the P-3 Administrator Institute and join us March 7-8.
|
|
P-3 Alignment Network 2023-24
Meetings will be held quarterly. Our next meeting has changed to a virtual session from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 14.
|
|
Early Education Professional Development Catalog
SDCOE offers a number of professional development opportunities on a variety of topics for preschool, infant/toddler teachers and administrators, and family child care providers. The workshops are intentionally offered to align to program quality goals and build upon existing skills. Check out the Early Education Professional Development catalog to explore how the workshops are differentiated by levels of expertise and target audience.
|
|
Expanded Learning Professional Learning
SDCOE invites you to join Expanded Learning Opportunities Program professional learning opportunities. The first offering is the Site Leader Training Series, which is designed to support leaders who provide oversight and management of day-to-day program activities. Learn more about how to support your programs by attending this series. Sessions will be held Feb. 2, March 1, and April 12. |
|
New Grant Opportunity to Support Community Engagement
The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) released the application for the next cohort of their Community Engagement Initiative (CEI). Applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis through March 15. In partnership with the University of San Diego and Eskolta School Research and Design, SDCOE is excited to be leading CEI 2.0.
The CEI initiative was established in 2019 as part of the California Statewide System of Support with the goal of building the capacity of communities and school districts to authentically engage with each other for the purpose of improving outcomes for all students, particularly those learning English as a second language, students from low-income families, youth in foster care, and students from other underserved groups. CEI 2.0 provides an opportunity for local educational agencies to revolutionize their community engagement practices by participating in peer leading and learning networks.
A detailed overview of the initiative and steps to apply are included in the application. For additional information and support, contact Dr. Erin Mahoney, senior director; or Casey Lange and Dr. Brittany Mabe, district advisors for community engagement. |
|
23rd Annual San Diego Leadership in Biliteracy Symposium
The annual Leadership in Biliteracy Symposium is an awards celebration to acknowledge the individuals who have made significant contributions in promoting biliteracy for our students. This event honors leaders in school communities, promotes biliteracy as an educational asset, and celebrates the achievements of our community. For information on submitting an honoree, email Alicia Moyer. The event will be held April 25 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Prado. Register now! |
|
Engaging Educational Partners
Engaging educational partners is an essential part of the Local Control and Accountability Program (LCAP) development and annual update process. The Engaging Educational Partners section of the LCAP is designed to reflect the process the local educational agency (LEA) uses to engage partners, the feedback provided by partners, and how the engagement of educational partners influenced the decisions reflected in the adopted LCAP. Each LEA is required to develop an LCAP.
California statute recognizes the benefits of engaging local community members by codifying specific requirements for consultation in the development and annual update of the LCAP, as well as the budget process. Consistent with statute:
- School districts and county offices of education are required to consult with teachers, principals, administrators, other school personnel, local bargaining units of the LEA, parents, and pupils.
- Charter schools must consult with teachers, principals, administrators, other school personnel, parents, and pupils.
|
|
Faculty and Staff Professional Learning Opportunities
|
|
Developmentally Appropriate Toileting Practices Toolkit: Supporting All Children from Preschool through 3rd Grade
The California Department of Education (CDE) has just released the Developmentally Appropriate Toileting Practice Toolkit. The purpose of this toolkit is to provide guidance and information to LEAs and community-based organizations on best practices for supporting California’s youngest learners as they develop and master toileting independence. This resource is intended to support district and community-based leaders and educators in understanding why supporting toileting independence in developmentally appropriate ways is critical both to supporting equitable access to UPK programs across settings, and to ensuring children’s full engagement in preschool through third grade learning opportunities.
|
|
|
SDCOE Toileting Toolkit Guidance Session
We are excited to announce that SDCOE will be hosting a Developmentally Appropriate Toileting Practices toolkit guidance learning session on April 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. More information to come!
|
|
|
|
Provide Input on the Superintendent Search
The San Diego County Board of Education is searching for the next superintendent to lead the San Diego County Office of Education. Search firm Leadership Associates is seeking additional input from educational partners to build a leadership profile for the next superintendent. Please share your input through an online survey, available in English and Spanish, through Feb. 15.
Your participation in this important process is appreciated and updates on the search will continue to be posted at SDCOE website. |
|
Save the Date for the Annual San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering
The annual San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering kicks off Saturday, March 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Expo Day at a new venue. Snapdragon Stadium will host dozens of new and returning hands-on learning experiences, interactive activities, and experiments for all ages. For little learners, a pre-K zone will feature engaging activities. Kids of all ages will enjoy virtual reality experiencing, making slime, playing with robots, learning about underwater sea life, testing electric bikes, and many more STEAM exhibits.
|
|
SDCOE's grant team keeps an updated list of grant opportunities based on topic. For more information about grant opportunities and applying for grants, visit the SDCOE Grants webpage. |
|
Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE and in our districts across the county. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
