September 2021: A Return to the "New Normal"
Welcome back to school! We are here in person, we are masked, and we have no remote learning options. Which is to say, it feels a lot more like the "normal" we have been used to in the past. There are still some differences, for example, we're eating lunch outside whenever possible, but overall it has felt good to be back in the school building with the students.
In preparing for the year, Bigelow's staff spent time learning about the concept of a "window of tolerance" which was first conceptualized by Dr. Daniel Siegel. The basic idea is that we all have an optimal amount of space in our windows. When we are in that space, we are open to new concepts, ideas, challenges, and experiences. If we open our window too wide, we become overwhelmed and begin to spin out- our heart rate increases, our breathing becomes more rapid, our thoughts swirl, and we become ruled by our emotional reactions. If we allow our windows to close too much, we shut down and become unresponsive to those around us.
Stress is what causes our windows of tolerance to widen or narrow. Over the last 19 or so months, we have all been exposed to more stress than we are used to experiencing. Our windows have narrowed or widened, depending on the situation or event. This has been true for adults and children across all dividing lines and groups. During our opening days, our staff spend time learning about this concept and about how to help widen or narrow our windows, as needed. If we can do it for ourselves, we can model it for our students and support them in learning how to do it for themselves.
Creating and being surrounded by a safe and supportive environment is one of the best ways to keep our windows at the optimal state. When we feel safe and supported, we can calm our bodies and minds and we can be more open to new experiences and learning. Every year, our staff work to create safe, supportive classroom and school communities and this year it remains an essential part of our opening weeks work, as well as work we will continue throughout the school year.
Other ways to keep ourselves in the optimal state include physical self-care (drinking water, moving our bodies, getting restful sleep, "unplugging" for a chunk of time, spending time outside) and emotional self-care (connecting with others, journaling, creating art, listening to or playing music, reading for fun, meditating). While these things can seem frivolous or "extra" they are actually essential to keeping us grounded and within our windows of tolerance. In fact, when we access these supports and are in safe environments, we can take bigger risks which allow us to widen our windows of tolerance in a positive way.
As the year gets underway, please remember that we are here to support students and their families as they navigate the middle school experience. Reach out to any of us if you have any concerns about your student, their development, their mental health, or anything else. Even if we aren't the right person to answer your questions, we can point you in the right direction.
Remember to take care of yourselves as we get going. All the adages are true- you can't serve from an empty vessel, you must put on your own oxygen mask before helping others, you can't give what you don't have, etc. Let's take care of ourselves and each other as we move through the year.
Be well,
Dr. J
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