Dear Social, Emotional, and Mindfulness Learning (SEML) in OST Community, 

This month I would like to share some exciting social, emotional, and mindfulness learning (SEML) opportunities coming up for the OST community. We hope you can join us for some (or all!) of these professional development opportunities at no cost!

I want to highlight a tremendous opportunity for our programs this Spring! As many of you have seen in our weekly newsletter and on Social Media... Mindful March is BACK! 

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 annual spring celebration and conference on Saturday, April 6th (more details on this event coming soon)!

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! 

There are still a few opportunities remaining for you to attend the SEML Community of Practice (CoP) 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. We welcome any OST professional seeking deeper involvement in our SEML community! 

The remaining meeting times for this academic year are: 

Thursday, February 8, Wednesday, March 13, Thursday, April 18, and Tuesday, May 7 from 10:15 - 11:30 am on Zoom. Register in NHCIS or email ablodgett@acrossnh.org. We hope you will join us! 

If you're anything like me, Winter is a mixed bag. In our region of the world, we have the joy of experiencing the special beauty of freshly fallen snow, the stillness and quiet that only happens when the world around us is insulated with a glistening blanket of ice crystals, and the way it feels to take a deep breath of crisp, clean, cold night air each time we step outside. Sounds like a dream to some of us, right?

Paradoxically, we experience a very long season of limited time out in nature, cooped up in our homes, less connected with our neighbors and friends, laboring over the removal of snow from our walkways and driveways and roofs, and we desperately miss the sun and all her warmth. As we work on our mindful practice in winter, we have a chance to consider the special "gifts" this time of year can bring to us. We can take some time to write down some mantras about winter's blessings to hold close during those times when winter's challenges seem to be all that's in front of us.

Check out this blog from the website, "Mindfulness Exercises," called "6 Mindfulness Exercises for Wellbeing in Winter: How to Explore the Gifts of Winter with Mindfulness," to learn more about how Winter holds a special place for many of us in our mindfulness practice. 

May you be well, 

May you have joy,

May you have peace, 

Abigail J. Blodgett Argentine, B.S., NH ASMP

ACROSS NH Social and Emotional Learning Coordinator

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! 

Register for any date you choose in NHCIS, or email Abigail Blodgett, ACROSS NH SEL Coordinator, at ablodgett@acrossnh.org.  Professional development hours are awarded in NHCIS.