Alexander D. Sullivan School (PS #30)
Relaxation Meditation Initiative
Alexander D. Sullivan School designed its Relaxation Meditation Initiative to help redirect students as they transitioned to afternoon activities following lunchtime. The initiative evolved from an analysis of office discipline referrals. The third grade was targeted due to the number of student referrals involving interpersonal peer difficulty, such as bullying, and negative coping strategies, such as verbal and physical aggression. In addition, with state testing coming up, the school wanted to teach both students and teachers positive coping strategies in the face of test taking. Students meet for Relaxation Meditation twice weekly for 15 minutes each session in the classroom following lunchtime. During the 15 minutes, the school psychologist reads a guided relaxation meditation with ocean music playing in the background. Students and the classroom teacher participate. At the end of the session, students process thoughts and feelings about the meditation. Students learn how to identify bodily responses to stress, develop a concrete plan to positively resolve and cope, and learn a new way to approach feared situations with greater ease and confidence.