Professional Community In-Service Day Cultivates Community, Health and Well-Being

One of St. Margaret’s school-wide goals for the 2023-2024 year is to engage with elements of human thriving, as the school works toward uplifting its priority to community health and wellness through the Tartans Thrive campaign and the development of the St. Margaret’s Commons.

 

With that goal in mind, St. Margaret’s professional community dedicated time during the in-service day this week to gather for joy, as faculty and staff were invited to choose from multiple morning activities, each grounded in the science of well-being. 

 

Professional community members had the choice among many different activities that emphasize some of the elements of human thriving, such as:

 

 

The activities included an improv workshop, salsa dancing, a pickleball tournament, yoga, a visit to the Niguel Botanical Preserve, serving at The Ecology Center, time for reflection in Chapel, a soundscapes & sculpting session, gratitude journaling, and trying a non-sleep deep rest session.

 

"Each of the activities were intentionally chosen to connect with what we know from research promotes human thriving and to provide an opportunity to share experiences with one another to cultivate meaningful relationships across the school campus,” said Director of Institutional Research Stephanie Capen, who organized the in-service day. “We know that strong relationships lead to happier and healthier lives, and that includes our relationships at work."

 

After the morning activities, professional community members had the opportunity to participate in optional affinity group meeting during lunchtime as part of the school’s ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion work, before spending the afternoon working in divisions.