Texas Border Business
MISSION, Texas – Mission Consolidated Independent School District administrators acknowledge that students’ social emotional health has been affected due to the many trials associated with the pandemic. They want to successfully reintegrate students back into the classroom and provide them with the tools and support they need throughout the year. The district will focus on assisting students in maintaining their social emotional health by utilizing a relaxation technique known as Mindfulness.
“As a district, we wanted to make sure that our students had a smooth transition into the classroom after the many trials they’ve had this year,” states Dr. Carol G. Perez, Superintendent. “We are creating Mindfulness rooms which are quiet spaces at each of the elementary campuses where students can retreat to when they are experiencing stress, anxiety, or have other needs. These spaces can be a refuge for students and a place where they can utilize the relaxation techniques.”
To assist our students in learning and practicing this powerful tool, the district has elected to install Mindfulness Room in our elementary schools. These rooms are quiet spaces within the school aimed to help students experiencing stress, anxiety, or other social emotional health issues. The rooms will be safe spaces that students can go to during a time of emotional need. Students will also be encouraged to develop skills and target specific areas of need.
“Mindfulness techniques are also part of the Inner Explorer program which has been implemented throughout the district,” states Jesse Treviño, Director of Student Services/Guidance & Counseling. “This is a resource that is being utilized by the district that is extremely effective in managing social emotional health for all our students and staff.”
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. The district’s license professional counselors and campus counselors have also implemented play therapy techniques with the younger children to help them introduce Mindfulness techniques. There have been extensive studies that show the efficacy of mindfulness practices especially when used to decrease and manage anxiety, depression, addiction, stress, PTSD, and trauma.
For more information on the Mindfulness techniques or the Inner Explorer program contact the Student Services/Guidance and Counseling department at 956-323-5578 or your campus counselor.
