2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR

  

We welcome Mr. Jordan Grinstein, Mindfulness Director from WholeSchool Mindfulness (formerly Mindfulness Director Initiative-MDI) to the Shrewsbury Public Schools!

One of the largest concerns of returning teachers and staff is the mental health of our students.  After being home for 18 months, in-person learning feels a lot different than it was two years ago, and students and teachers need to adjust to a new "normal" classroom.  Increasingly, students are feeling stressed, anxious and overwhelmed with all that is required of them to be a good student, an athlete, a family member and a good community member.  Mindfulness programs help to sort through all of these feelings and create more aware, resilient and compassionate people.

Fortunately, Shrewsbury Public Schools has many available resources for students, teachers and parents to take advantage of, to help make the transition back to full-time learning easier this year. Please visit our new "Mindfulness for All" website for more information.

The Colonial Fund is extremely grateful to WholeSchool Mindfulness for partnering with us to provide the funding for Jordan's salary and for helping us support this important role in our district. Jordan was hired by WholeSchool Mindfulness in late August, after a rigorous and thoughtful search. Jordan replaces Jenny Maddox, the former SPS Mindfulness Director, who is on a medical leave this year. Jordan will be personally available to us on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and remotely on Mondays and Fridays, with a few exceptions.

Jordan has extensive experience bringing mindfulness into the classroom and training student mindfulness ambassadors, in grades Pre-K through 12. His work with athletic coaches, leaders, and others to integrate  mindfulness (inclusive of yoga, meditation, breathwork, visualization, positive psychology, etc) into everyday life is extensive. Jordan is a yoga/meditation teacher trainer, equity and SEL professional development facilitator, basketball coach, and a lifestyle, diet and nutrition coach. He is looking forward to working alongside students, staff, and families, as we endeavor to meet our district's strategic priority, "Enhanced Well-Being of All."

Jordan's office is located at Paton School, though he is looking forward to working in all school communities over the coming weeks. Please reach out to Jordan with requests, suggestions, and/or questions at jgrinstein@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us.

Hear from Jordan in his own personal words, how he will be implementing Mindfulness in our schools, in this video.  We look forward to working with Jordan and helping our families and staff have a healthy school year.