Starting the School Year with Connection, Community and Calm
This brief guide is designed to help educators start the school year in a way that promotes student wellness and belonging.
How can educators support students to have a mentally healthy start to the school year?
As we return to school, intentionally prioritizing mental health and well-being is essential. Strong connections (relationships), a sense of community and belonging and access to a range of calming strategies (as well as the space to use strategies that already work for students) can support a smooth transition.
Why is this important?
Mental health and well-being are foundational to learning. When students feel welcome and included, they are more likely to experience a sense of wellness and belonging and be ready to learn and engage in all that school has to offer.
Starting the school year with Connection, Community and Calm is a guide for educators to help create a sense of community and belonging in the classroom, build relationships and promote a variety of strategies that empower students to choose what helps them feel calm, focused and balanced.
How might I use this guide?
The resource includes a ready-to-use slide deck filled with practical student-facing tools and activities that can be woven into routines, connected to curriculum, and included in everyday learning opportunities. Everything from a quick check-in to caring conversations, building coping skills and supporting connections makes a difference—and there are a variety of tools to help.