To help students smoothly transition between subjects and sharpen their focus, every Class IV health class begins with a brief mindful or movement moment. While the specific activities vary from day to day, each one serves a vital purpose: establishing a grounded classroom routine while giving students a quiet space to tune into how their mind and body feel as class gets underway.

In addition to fostering self-awareness, these opening moments double as a powerful leadership opportunity. Each session is student-led—as pictured here with Alice G. '35 leading her classmates—giving Class IV students a platform to practice read-aloud skills, build public speaking confidence, and guide their peers through the exercise. It’s a simple daily habit that supports both emotional well-being and student leadership from the very start of class.