Dear Colleagues, 

Did you know that this is the very first 'leap year' of ACROSS NH's SEL Project? Beginning in late March/Early April of 2020, the SEL project has not seen a 'February 29th' until today! This is a great excuse to celebrate by setting aside 29 minutes of your time, in honor of February 29th, for a mindful practice, a self-care activity, or other experience that will bring and spread joy!

We know as professionals who value mindfulness both in our programs and in our daily living, that mindful practice and self-care look differently from one individual to the next. I hope that you can find something on this list that speaks to you, and if you have ideas that are not on this list, that you'll share them with others! 

29 things you might be able to do in 29 minutes:

1. Sign up for our Social, Emotional, and Mindfulness Series of trainings to celebrate Mindful March! Write the dates on your calendar! 
2. Begin a countdown to spring on Tuesday, March 19th. (What a hopeful countdown for so many of us who are eager to feel the sun's spring warmth again!) 
3. Write a list of the things you're grateful for from this winter season. (Maybe it's even 29 things!) 
4. Go on a 29-minute walk, mindfully. (Try to notice your neighborhood and or nature-the sounds, sights, smells, sensations. Be present.) 
5. Call a friend or family member who you haven't had the chance to speak to in a while.
6. Listen to your favorite music, mindfully. (Close your eyes, sit in stillness, and focus deeply on the sound, meaning, and feelings conveyed by what you hear!) 
7. Prepare a favorite snack and enjoy it mindfully, focusing on flavor, texture, and scent. 
8. Do a crossword or word search.
9. Follow a favorite meditation. Shift your mind, mood, and body to be fully present. 
10. Try a new mindful practice. 
11. Crochet, knit, sew, do art, or make a craft. 
12. Spend exactly $29 on a special treat for yourself. 
13. Begin a jigsaw puzzle or spend 29 minutes working on one you have started. 
14. Play a quick card or board game with family or friends
15.  Play an instrument - maybe you haven't played for your own enjoyment in a while.
16. Sing and/or dance.
17. Choose one small chore that will make you feel fulfilled to complete. Maybe you will choose something you really want to get done but haven't prioritized yet. 
18.  Shoot some baskets at the park or in your own hoop. 
19. Toss the baseball or frisbee or kick the soccer ball around with family or friends.
20. Blow up a balloon and see if you can keep it in the air by hitting it back up before it hits the ground. Maybe you can hit it up in the air 29 times in a row. Maybe you can get your kids in on the action? 
21. Do some yoga.
22. Donate 29 minutes of your time to helping someone with a small need.
23. Strike up a conversation with an elderly neighbor. 
24. Select a charity that is meaningful to you and donate exactly $29.
25. Write a letter or a card. 
26. Contemplate and write a goal/intention you have for March. 
27. Spend time with your pet, mindfully. Memorize their features at that moment and pay attention to what it feels like to spend time with them. 
28. Get a coffee, tea, or other beverage with a friend you haven't seen in a while. 
29. Stay inside but open a window and notice what sensations come to you. Maybe you notice cool crisp air on February 29th or maybe the sound of kids playing in the park next door, etc.?

*Bonus Activity! NPR has a form to fill out to tell them what you're doing to celebrate leap year! That could be a fun activity, too! https://www.npr.org/2024/02/14/1231198812/leap-day-plans-2024

Please Join Us for 1, 2, 3, or All 4!

This year we will again offer a series of trainings in honor and celebration of #SELday on March 8th! The first three sessions will be offered via Zoom on Thursday evenings. The final session will be offered at our Saturday, April 6th NH OST Convention. Click here for details!

This year, we have even MORE exciting news! Those who participate in all 4 sessions will be eligible to receive an excellent SEML Materials Kit for their OST program! 

Here's what to do: 

1. Mark the dates on your calendars to ensure you don't miss a session: Click here for the flyer!
2. Register for each session in NHCIS. If you have questions, please email chazelton@acrossnh.org.
3. Tell your colleagues and friends about this great training series opportunity! 

You're Invited to Join Us!

The ACROSS NH Social, Emotional, and Mindful Learning (SEML) Community of Practices are open to new members. Consider joining the next community of practice to participate in a mindful moment for yourself and engage in thoughtful, supportive discussion amongst colleagues! We welcome any OST professional seeking deeper involvement in our SEML community! 

There are still a few opportunities remaining for you to attend this year! The SEML COP is an established group of SEML-minded NH OST professionals who gather to support one another. We begin with a mindful moment, share our successes, challenges, and hopes. You will receive new resources, ideas, and hear a variety of perspectives to support one another in problem-solving and developing SEML in your practice and programs.

The remaining meeting times for this academic year are: 

Wednesday, March 13, Thursday, April 18, and Tuesday, May 7 from 10:15-11:30am on Zoom. Register in NHCIS or email ablodgett@acrossnh.org. Professional development hours are awarded in NHCIS. We hope you will join us!