Upcoming & Past Events
Healthy Minds, Stronger Schools Conference
We are so excited to announce the upcoming Healthy Minds, Stronger Schools conference on Friday, April 26, 2024 (evening) and Saturday, April 27, 2024 (all day). This conference is a chance for middle & high school DPS students, caregivers, educators, and community members to have multigenerational conversations around wellness, create skill-building opportunities, improve individual and peer mental health, and connect with local resources that support well-being across our community. Mark your calendar now for this low-cost conference experience that promises to be informative and inspiring!
Event Details Healthy Minds, Stronger Schools Conference
Friday, April 26th for our Keynote Dinner
Saturday, April 27th for our full-day conference
Located at the Apella Center!
Agenda Highlights
- Keynote dinner
- Panel with Local and State Legislature Representatives
- Student-Led Panel
- Hands-on workshops and breakout sessions
- Hands-on wellness sessions
- Networking opportunities with peers and professionals
- Thrive Guide
And SO MUCH MORE!
Registration Information
Early bird registration will open on March 1st, offering a discount for those who register early!
For the latest updates and announcements, follow us on Instagram @whole_educators and visit the conference website!
Yoga at the Hub
Join us for a free stretch and mobility session at Hub Farm (117 Milton Rd, Durham, NC 27712) from 9 AM - 10 AM! Water and a small breakfast offering will be available. Spots are available for 35 people to attend. All those who are interested will need to RSVP via this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfV9K_81AOaHi-rppQMyGV2aBqmXBReEYL0uAKIl1xbHyRMTA/viewform?usp=sf_link
All attendees will leave with a free yoga mat!
Therapeutic Gardening Session
Therapeutic gardening refers to the intentional use of gardening activities and natural environments to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This practice recognizes the therapeutic benefits of engaging with plants, soil, and outdoor spaces. Therapeutic gardening can take various forms and may be utilized in healthcare settings, community programs, or individual practices. The primary goal is to enhance the overall quality of life and address specific therapeutic goals through gardening-related activities.
In partnership with gardening we will offer games, smores, and hot cocoa!
Environmental Fun Fest
Environmental Fun Fest is a family-friendly, engaging event to get folks in contact with nature firsthand. This will take place at Hawks Healing Nest Garden (1205 North Mineral Springs Road, Durham, NC 27703) from 6 PM - 8 PM. At this event, there will be a bonfire, mindful cooking demos in partnership with DINE, free food, Reconstruction stations by scrap exchange, a garden scavenger hunt, and more! Come one, come all!
Virtual Family Cooking Night
Join DPS’s Hub Farm and Northern High School’s Culinary Arts department, led by Chef Peter Brodsky, for a fall evening of virtual family cooking! Register now to participate in this free event.
October 26th 6 PM - 7 PM
Register at https://tinyurl.com/fall23virtualcooking
Quick Pick Wellness Station
This day is focused on Southern School of Energy and Sustainabilty, one of the model schools. This will include:
Food
Wellness Wheel Posters
Fidget Toys
Resources
Interactive Stations
This station will be set up from Noon - 2 PM in the main floor teacher breakroom.
Quick Pick Wellness Station - Week of Wellness
This day is focused on Neal Middle School, one of the model schools. This will include:
Food
Wellness Wheel Posters
Fidget Toys
Resources
Interactive Stations
This station will be set up from Noon - 2 PM in the wellness room (trailer 4).
Healing Gemstones
We will be discussing the history, traditional knowledge, and beliefs of gemstones healing capabilities. Gemstones can provide support and grounding, as another tool to put in your self care tool box. Let’s explore gemstones together!
Registration Link: tinyurl.com/namidurhamhealinggems
Kermes del Día de las Madres!
Kermes is our community fiesta where we gather together to celebrate with traditional Latin American food, games, raffles, dancing, music, and more!
This year, we'll be joining together to celebrate Día de las Madres (Mother's Day). Invite your friends, family, and mom's to come out on May 7th to celebrate with us at El Futuro!
Writefully Honest Community Day
FREE community event focusing on mental health while having fun in the community. This is for adults and older youth, REGISTER here!
FREE FOOD
GAMES
ACTIVITIES
PRIZES
OPEN CONVERSATIONS
***The FIRST 10 youth to sign up and attend will get a FREE COPY of my newest book, Writefully HONEST: Life Happens. It's an interactive book that includes writing prompts and activities that youth struggle with: depression, anxiety, suicide, grief, abuse, self-care, happiness, and so much more!
Niñitos de la Naturaleza
El Futuro will be offering a new program, Niñitos de la Naturaleza, during the month of May! We will be collaborating with the Museum of Life and Science to bring their program, NatureKids, to El Futuro's greenspace. The program will run from 10am-11am every Thursday morning in May and will be conducted in Spanish. It is intended for toddlers ages 1-2 along with one adult caretaker. We have space for 12 toddler/caretaker pairs. The curriculum is designed to help toddlers and their caretakers engage in nature play and become more comfortable with playing outside and interacting with natural materials.
¡Juguemos juntos en el jardín terapéutico de El Futuro! Te invitamos a participar en nuestro programa de Niñitos de la Naturaleza para bebés de 1 a 2 años junto con un adulto. Durante cada sesión, vamos a explorar el mundo natural a través de juegos, actividades sensoriales, arte, música y más. Ven a aprender y jugar con tu bebé y otras familias en nuestro espacio verde lleno de plantitas, flores, pajaritos y un hermoso arroyo. ¡Te esperamos!
Here is the link!
B Inspired 2 Dance with NAMI Durham
Hosted by Found and Artistic Director of B Insprired 2 Dance Creative Arts Academy, Penny Carroll.
Ease mood and anxiety through rhythmic dance movements. Create poems and other poetic journaling, inspired by dance expressions. Get ready to move with us!
Register at: tinyurl.com/namidurhamdance2023
WHOLE-istic Wellness Fair
A day filled with opportunities to learn about and practice wellness for yourself and for students in your life. This event is ideal for all ages, across all identities, to allow for intergenerational learning and growth. Outside of educational sessions, there will be wellness sessions to allow for moments of relaxation, laughter, and joy!
Educator and Adult Ally Mental Health Retreat 2
This is an intentional weekend planned for community adult allies, DPS parents, and educators.
Educator and Adult Ally Mental Health Retreat 1
DPS educators, staff, and adult mental health allies will have space for rest, healing and caring for their own mental health while gaining knowledge and tools to support mental health for students and their DPS school communities.
WHOLE-istic Healing Festival
We believe we heal together. We believe we heal in the community. The WHOLE-istic Healing Festival will bring our school communities and families together for a joyful day of healing as we celebrate the end of the school year.
Community Listening Sessions
DPS Foundation has launched a new major focus on addressing mental health for students and educators/ staff in DPS.