One student loved the Beat the Parent station where they competed against their family member to see who could get more multiplication facts done in a minute, 'I almost beat my mom in math facts. Students were able to go to different math stations and play games and do activities based on the curriculum. A huge turnout of fourth graders and their families started the evening making fraction expression selfies and continued by playing games with their families. Smile! Family Math Night, a MTEA FAST sponsored event was held at Brookside School the evening of Thursday, April 12.

Students came to understand that mindfulness is important to learn so that we can calm our bodies and minds in order to learn, focus, and have fun. The stations included breathing exercises and yoga, taking an imagination vacation, and creating a 'buddy' from a stone or a pom pom that can help you focus and may even come in handy when you are taking a test or are nervous or anxious in the future. By participating in three different stations, Oak Tree children learned that it is okay to not think about anything sometimes, focus on breathing, and close your eyes and use your senses to savor that moment.

Today's students live in a nonstop, busy and stressful world where they are constantly forced to multitask and make decisions. Mindful bodies are peaceful and paying attention. While many students had already been exposed to relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and maybe even yoga in their classrooms, on May 2nd they truly understood that mindfulness is a way to keep our bodies and minds calm, healthy, and happy. Oak Tree held its very first Mindfulness Matters Day on May 2nd. If you asked them at the end of the day on May 2nd, you may have gotten a completely different response. A few months ago if you had asked an Oak Tree student what they think of when they hear the word mindfulness, they may have replied 'peace' or 'relaxing'.

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