Mindfulness Family Night held at GDES

The past few years have highlighted the importance of making mental health and self-care a priority.

That’s why the faculty and staff at Glen Dale Elementary School decided to participate in a mindfulness training in the fall of 2019. This started a mindful journey for the school. Students engage in mindful moments of stillness every day, and staff provide lessons related to self-care, monthly, on Mindful Wednesdays. Last year, these trainings were even extended for staff to address and prioritize their own self-care.

On Monday evening, parents and guardians who have children at Glen Dale Elementary were invited to the school’s first-ever Mindfulness Family Night. This was a great opportunity for parents to come hear Lana Penley, a former school principal, share her story about how mindfulness changed her life and transformed her school following a school crisis, a fire.

Penley is a mindfulness trainer and small business owner who travels the country supporting schools and families in building a positive and mindful culture. She is an engaging storyteller who leaves audiences feeling inspired.

At Monday’s Mindfulness Family Night, parents learned tips and strategies for integrating mindfulness into their home and family life. Topics covered included an overview of mindfulness, stress and its effects, basic brain science and some mindfulness habits that they can use right away. Students enjoyed making calming toys and trinkets to use during their mindful moments at home.