Mission Be a HUB for information and a CATALYST for the integration of mindfulness into education as a means to overall well-being for students, educators, families and society.

Board of Directors Heidi Bornstein – Founder, Mindfulness Everyday Peter Chaban –Member of Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education, Head of School Liaison Project, Hospital for Sick Children Karen Davis – Vice-Principal, Bracebridge Public School / MindUP teacher

Board of Directors Dr. M. Lee Freedman – Founder, Mindfulness Toronto, Child Psychiatrist Theo Koffler – Founder, Mindfulness Without Borders and the Mindfulness Ambassador Council Laurie Arron – Founder & Executive Director of Discover Mindfulness

DM Background Grassroots initiative founded by people who practise mindfulness want to bring mindfulness to education Launched at the Mindfulness Retreat for Educators at Brock University in August 2013 Just getting started!

What We Will Do 1. Create a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to bringing mindfulness to education 2. Map the use of, and interest in, mindfulness programs for schools 3. Develop strategies to mobilize knowledge about the benefits of mindfulness to students, educators, families and society

What We Will Do 4. Act as a resource to identify best practices and where innovation is happening 5. Engage key decision makers to advance education policy and practice

Mapping Project Map all 6,000 K-12 schools in Ontario Track the use of mindfulness in each school Track mindfulness programs Methodology Where they are in use Research / Evidence Training

Champions Find a Champion for each school Being a Champion means: Your profile is on the DM website You are the “go-to” person for a school People can contact you through the DM website You attract and support others to bring mindfulness to your school

Using the School Finder Connect people in the same school Reach out to parents and others in local community See which programs are in use elsewhere in the province Find others with experience Find other schools to cite as examples Find others to train with (larger group = lower cost pp) Gather data for decision makers Find others to practice with

Information Hub We gather information from other sources and develop our own materials that are particular to Ontario We will develop a Tool Kit – including presentations, fact sheets, and guides on how to champion mindfulness in schools Case Studies – help us learn from the experience of others and give decision makers confidence they can effectively implement mindfulness programs

Advocacy Make ourselves known to the Ministry of Education, school boards, and other decision makers Show how mindfulness serves the needs of the education system Ask for a place at the table Speak their language

Advocacy Here & Now MOE consultation re New Education Strategy In 2009 – Bill 177 made student well-being a goal This could be huge – if it’s defined to include social and emotional well-being This is an opportunity to be a catalyst Also an opportunity for DM to ask for a place at the table Nov 15 deadline for public submissions

Support DM’s Mission Spread the word Provide information for School Finder Be a Champion Volunteer Donate