Return to Headlines

Focusing on Social and Emotional Well-Being for All

Earlier this week, the entire Greenburgh administration, faculty, and staff took an hour during the Superintendent's Conference to relax, unwind, and play through several adult SEL activities. Options including meditation, yoga, art drawing, speed chess, restorative circles, trivial pursuit, TED talks, and a friendly volleyball competition were available throughout the WMHS campus.

"As a District, we often reflect on the importance of SEL for our students, and it is also necessary for adults to take time to decompress and connect with one another - and themselves," said Superintendent Dr. Iverson.

In Ms. Cronin and Ms. Cioffoletti’s art rooms, teachers and staff sat at the tables just like students in a class. They learned an art technique called Spontaneous Symmetry by Donna Mikkelson. The exercise involved the use of both hands working in tandem to create a Zentangle pattern to fill their empty pages. The Zentangle Method uses a combination of dots, lines, simple curves, and orbs. Next, they used watercolors and other coloring tools to fill in the different spaces of the pattern. “This is an engaging and slightly challenging assignment, but it’s also really fun and relaxing,” said Ms. Cronin. “It’s about utilizing the concentration needed to work ambidextrously in a balanced and thoughtful way. Finding the balance in the design, while also finding balance within ourselves.”

The energy in the room was light and cheerful, with banter between the colleagues softly filling the air. At one point, David Vandiver - physical education teacher at RJB - couldn’t contain his joy and, in true student form, called out to his teacher for the hour, “You’re the best Ms. Cronin!”