“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey

This week, students will engage in a favorite lesson of all ages: Explore Your Interests! Younger elementary students are filled with energy, curiosity, and a growing desire to understand themselves and the world around them. This week’s lesson invites them to explore what truly captures their attention and sparks joy. We will explore their favorite activities and compare them with those of their classmates, fostering self-awareness and appreciation for others’ passions.

Middle school students will take that curiosity a step further, reflecting on what excites them most and beginning to recognize how their interests might shape their future goals. Through guided reflection and exploration, they’ll start to uncover the passions that motivate them.

High school students will focus on discovering what fuels their drive and purpose. They’ll consider not only what inspires them but also the effort, commitment, and sacrifices required to pursue those dreams in meaningful ways.

Each Monday this month, we’ll also be diving into the Zones of Regulation, expanding our list of emotions within each Zone. By naming and exploring a broader range of feelings, students of all ages will build a more comprehensive emotional vocabulary—helping them better recognize, understand, and express what they feel as they follow their passions. I hope you will join us!

Mindset Mondays will be offered every Monday that school is in session. This year, we are working through Course 2, continuing our journey through the 7 Mindsets curriculum. One of my favorite things about the 7 Mindsets is that it continues to provide new and different information each year. I look forward to seeing your students as we explore the Passion First mindset together!

Mindset Mondays are taught on Zoom each Monday that school is in session. Zoom links are provided below, available on the Event Calendar in the Nest, and through your student’s Clever dashboard.

You will find the class times below. Classes are arranged by grade levels as follows:

Grades K-2: 9:30 am Zoom Link

Grades 3-5: 10:30 am Zoom Link

Grades 6-12: 11:30 am Zoom Link

The lessons are approximately 45 minutes long and designed to be interactive group lessons; however, because we recognize the importance of students attending comfortably, each student may choose their level of participation in the lesson.

“Those that live passionately, teach us how to love. Those that love passionately, teach us how to live.” – Sarah Ban Breathnatch

Each lesson includes an engaging slideshow, video, and activity. Click on the link that matches your student’s age or grade. You’ll find a fun icebreaker, a video lesson, and some discussion questions you can use to invite your students into conversation. There’s also an activity to bring the idea alive in your student’s life. Have fun connecting and putting Passion First!

Grades: K-2
Grades: 3-5
Grades: Middle School
Grades: High School

Mindful Moments are Back!

This year, I’m excited to offer Mindful Moments classes in person a few times each month! Just like last year, we’ll enjoy mindful movement together—but this year, we’ll also be incorporating games, music, fitness and stretching, and other fun activities to help us move, connect, and recharge. All Cottonwood students are welcome to join, and parents are encouraged to jump in, too!

October Mindful Moments:

October 15 10am Woodbridge Park Roseville

October 22 10am Lichtenberger South Park Elk Grove

Classes are open to all grade levels. If your student is in the younger grades, please plan to support their participation as needed. A few mats will be available to borrow, though students are encouraged to bring their own, along with water and comfortable movement attire.

Check the Cottonwood Chronicle for future park days where we will have Mindful Moments. You can find all the Park Day Schedules on the Nest in the Family Liaisons section.
No registration required—just come as you are!

This year, we’re excited to add something fun to SELF—our very own SELF Bingo! Each square is a simple activity that helps students practice self-regulation skills, connection, and Let Grow Activities. Many skills and topics we cover in Mindset Mondays, the SELF Talk Newsletter, and Mindful Moments can be found on this Bingo card and reinforced at home by completing the activities! Students can complete the board on their own or with family support, and it’s a great way to bring mindfulness, movement, and emotional awareness into everyday life. Try a row, a column, or challenge yourself to complete the whole board!

The Let Grow Experience empowers students to build independence and confidence through monthly challenges. Each month, we share a new opportunity for families to explore together, helping students develop important life skills.

October’s project is all about spreading your wings. Last month, students took on new challenges and tried things that helped them step outside of their comfort zones. In October, we’re inviting them to take it a step further—building on those experiences and finding ways to stretch a little more. What’s the next step they can take to grow their independence and confidence?

You can find more information and resources on the Parent Nest!

The Cottonwood School has been designated a 2025 Kindness Certified School! Please share with us any random act of kindness activity your family participates in! Send your photos to us to celebrate all the kindness that is created! Each student who submits a photo and description of their random act of kindness will be featured as a Mindset Marvel in SELF Talk and will receive a Mindset Marvel certificate and a BJ’s Restaurant award for a kid’s meal (teens will receive a Starbuck’s treat)!

Email SELF@cottonwoodk12.org for submissions and questions.