As teachers and school staff adapt to the virtual learning environment, Kaiser Permanente has announced a series of five Virtual School Dance Parties for school districts in the Washington, D.C. metro and Baltimore region to help teachers and staff unwind and destress. The parties will be held via Zoom every Thursday from 7 p.m.- 8 p.m. in October. School administration, staff, teachers and families are invited to join and will have the chance to win prizes during the event.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers, staff and school administrators are navigating an unprecedented shift in the learning environment, creating heightened anxiety and stress. Research has shown that stressed staff and teachers are less likely to form positive connections with their students, which can negatively affect student achievement and degrade school culture. Further, teacher burnout is already high in the U.S. with around an 8% attrition rate, often attributed to stress. Through its Virtual School Dance Parties, Kaiser Permanente seeks to provide local educators with a healthy outlet to manage stress, boost their mood and connect with peers.
“At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that good health begins with healthy communities – and schools are at the heart of every community,” said Amy Arnold, Director of Workforce Health at Kaiser Permanente. “Practicing self-care is essential for teachers to lead an engaged and happy classroom, even when the classroom is virtual. Managing mental health and well-being will also give teachers the emotional resiliency needed to navigate this challenging school year.”
This event is part of Kaiser Permanente’s Thriving Schools and Resilience in School Environments programs, which support the physical and mental well-being of students, staff, and teachers. Thirty-one Prince Georges County schools are currently enrolled in the 4-year RISE program and 15 RISE UP workshops have reached more than 800 teachers and faculty and staff in the mid-Atlantic region. Kaiser Permanente will also be hosting a mental health and professional development event focused on mindfulness for teachers on October 21, in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools.
While the program is focused on school teachers, staff and administration – anyone is welcome to register for a dance party: https://kpmas.cvent.com/SchoolDance.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/
