Focus On the Whole Child

Innovative Program Paying Off, Expanding at SISD

In a recent Community Conversations survey, education topped the list of priorities on which Seguinites say we must focus to drive our community forward. Quietly, a handful of innovators and enthusiasts inside SISD have been pushing the oft-beleaguered district to act with vision and urgency. Buoyed by new leadership, their efforts are bearing fruit, and could signal an exciting future for Seguin schools.

One example is the recently implemented LiiNK program (Let’s Inspire Innovation ‘N Kids). The days of little to no recess as students cram and prep for standardized tests are over at Seguin ISD. The district is one of ten in Texas and Oklahoma participating in this innovative program in collaboration with Texas Christian University to develop the whole child. Based on the logic that unstructured play, good health and strong character development are essential to success in the classroom, LiiNK began this year at McQueeney and Jefferson Elementary schools. Once labeled old-fashioned, these values are being rediscovered by forward-thinking educators.

LiiNk campuses build the daily schedule around four 15-minute unstructured, outdoor play breaks a day – two before lunch and two after. These schools also incorporate 15-minute character development lessons – called Positive Action – daily. Come rain or shine, the children are guaranteed an opportunity to move, to collaborate and to be inventive in their play. The good news is that Seguin’s school board moved recently to require that all Seguin schools offer two breaks a day. LiiNK takes that further.

According to McQueeney Principal Meredith Stadler, the program required some adjustment for teachers and staff, but it’s paying off.

“Students enjoy the recess breaks and are excited to come to school, even in bad weather! We find that our attendance in kinder and first has also been slightly higher this year compared to last year,” Stadler says.

At a recent meeting about the program at the central office, educators shared stories of creative play and emotional self-regulation among children.

“Our kinders and first graders are excited about coming to school, focus more efficiently on returning to the classroom, and are using the Positive Action [curriculum] to improve behavior.  Parents have even remarked about hearing their child talk about Positive Action at home!  We love the LIINK impact for our students,” says Merry White, Principal at Jefferson Elementary.

Pete Silvius, Director of Whole Child Initiatives for Seguin ISD, sees the program as part of the district’s comprehensive vision to move from a narrow focus on standardized test scores only to developing and graduating happy, productive, plugged-in citizens by focusing on the whole child.

“I think [programs like LiiNk] could change Seguin and education in Texas someday,” he says. Though he says there was some initial hesitation from staff about the schedule changes, teachers and parents have embraced the move. Stadler agrees.

“They have expressed to me that they appreciate the time outdoors for their own health, and benefit from the breaks outside as well. The breaks allow [teachers and staff] to reflect on their lessons and to prepare for the next instructional block, as well as giving them a more complete picture of their students as they observe them playing,” Stadler says.

LiiNk will expand to second grade at McQueeney and Jefferson, and launch in Kinder and First at Rodriguez, Patlan and Vogel next school year. Each school will add a grade per year thereafter.

According to the program’s director, Dr. Deb Rhea, districts in Texas and Oklahoma who have been at the program longer are seeing positive results in terms of student health, reduced absenteeism and increased focus in the classroom.

It’s an exciting first step. Too often, the voices of those who resist change have drowned out those who seek to push Seguin forward in ways that benefit all children. Let’s see if the support of parents, faculty and staff can keep the momentum going.   

BIG IDEA TAKEAWAY: Program’s like LiiNK are a strong differentiator relative to other area districts, and part of a broader story that Seguin Realtors, civic and other business leaders can share to persuade young parents to choose Seguin, and to choose to stay in Seguin. Once your child enjoys four breaks a day and a campus that cares for them as a whole person, it would be very difficult to move to a traditional, test-focused environment elsewhere.