Vol. 2 Iss. 24
Nov. 2023
ournals J THE
C IT Y
North Salt Lake/Woods Cross
YOUR C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
FOXBORO’S MAP GETS A MAKEOVER By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com
NORTH SALT LAKE—The United States map on the playground blacktop at Foxboro Elementary got a facelift on Monday when fifth grade students helped repaint it. The map had faded over time. The idea for the project came about when a couple of fifth graders made a request to their teacher about repainting it, said Principal Jake Heidrich. “They said, ‘Is there anything we can do?’” It turned into something bigger, he said. “I asked them to write a persuasive essay to the superintendent. I thought it would be a good learning activity. So I sent them to Dr. (Dan) Linford with a note telling him if he happens to have a chance he could stop by.” They did more than just stop by, Linford and Davis School District Elementary Director Traci Robbins got involved in the project too, he said. “They got a stencil and Traci arranged for the paint. It was a huge, well planned fun activity.” It was 100% for the kids, said Heidrich. “It was a student centered request that turned into something tangible. Their voices were heard and action was taken. They learned that their persuasive letters to the principal and superintendent were not in vain.” Some of these kids don’t even know what a superintendent is, he said. “This gives the superintendent a face for those kids and they know he cares and that Continued page 4
Foxboro Elementary fifth graders help repaint the map of the United States on the blacktop of the playground. The kids wrote essays to the Superintendent to ask if he would back them in the project. (Photo courtesy of Davis School District)
‘LEARNING TO BREATHE’ CLASS FOR ADULTS PROMOTES MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS By Kerry Angelbuer | k.angelbuer@mycityjournals.com
C
ommunity classes called “Learning to Breathe,” taught throughout the county, teach skills to increase stress management, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, regulate difficult emotions, strengthen attention and cultivate gratitude and compassion. The six session classes are offered once a week either in the evening or daytime and cover these topics. The Learning to Breathe curriculum was piloted in the sixth and eighth grades throughout the Davis School District and was very successful in helping students. A free app called Learning to Breathe can be downloaded for Apple and Android phones. Jen Wilcox recently taught a six-week class held at the Bountiful Community Church in Bountiful. About a dozen adults attended the class practicing mindfulness or paying attention on purpose to what is happening right here in this very moment. Each week focuses on a Letter in BREATHE. The last letter stands for being empowered. The skills learned in the class are tools that can empower participants to control their stress response and build mental health in positive ways. “Try to be to class each week,” Wilcox said, “I know life happens, but we add a little bit more to the skills each time. Give it your best shot, and
try. Be here for you!” Attending the class can be thought of as inner-strength training. One exercise is eating a Wint–O-Green Lifesaver with mindfulness focusing on the myriad sensations and thoughts going on in the mind and body. Practicing this simple mindfulness can enable participants to be the observer in their own bodies and minds as they respond to negative emotions like frustration, anger, fear and anxiety. If you notice, for example, that you hold your breath or even forget to breathe during stressful emotions, you can consciously change this. Wilcox gives each class member three adhesive dots to place throughout their living space to remind them to take three deep, cleansing breaths. As skills improve, students can increase regulation in the prefrontal cortex and decrease reactivity in the amygdala. The class also teaches some sitting and standing postures and can release tension in the body. Breathing out activates the “cool down” response in the body, it puts the brakes on Continued page 8 Jen Wilcox moderates the Learning to Breathe class taught at the Bountiful Community Church. Learning to Breathe helps adults learn skills to manage stress and cultivate more positive emotions. (Courtesy photo)
LET US SHOW YOU THE BENEFITS OF PREPLANNING russonmortuary.com
• Complete Funeral Services • Pre-Paid Funeral Planning • Veterans Services • Cremation Services • Headstones
WE INVITE YOU TO COME TO ANY OF OUR THREE LOCATIONS!
“We have a reputation of Excellence and Service.”
Thank You
to our Community Sponsors for supporting City Journals
BOUNTIFUL 295 N Main St 801-295-5505
FARMINGTON 1941 N Main St 801-447-8247
SYRACUSE 1585 W 300 S 801-825-3655