by Carlos Mares, M.A. PPS/APCC
Windows Facilitator & Social Justice Fellow
Rialto Unified School District
Rialto, CA

At Rialto Unified School District, we serve predominantly students and families who have experienced marginalization through systemic, racial, and social inequities. Our K-12 students represent a collective of intersectional communities of color. Compared to neighboring counties, ours has the highest rate of unhoused youth and youth in the foster system.  We have a mission and commitment to serve those students and families. Our district initiative is to enhance and empower our youth by providing them with access and opportunity to: Academics, Social Emotional Learning, and College/Career Readiness. The schools in our district have benefited from the A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) Program as we are integrating Windows Art activities with our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Initiative.

“Today taught me about ways I can release my anger, stress, and frustration because I am used to getting into fights.”

In this school year alone, we have provided 10 Windows Art SEL activities, reaching 600 plus youth enrolled in K-12. In the upcoming weeks, we are hosting 3 Windows Art SEL activities expected to reach over 400 students. We are very honored that AWBW has provided our students with a safe and inclusive opportunity to readjust to the return back to school, healing through this continued global and community trauma, and provide them with a space to be their true authentic selves!

As I continue to sprinkle Windows throughout our district, I am realizing how impactful this continues to be. Students and staff eagerly participated in our recent Windows art activity: “Life is Sweet.” The immediate benefits shined light on how Windows continues to build capacity for our learning community, where students can continue to enhance their social emotional learning by building skills in the following areas: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, social awareness, and positive social relationships where they are able to experience a sense of belonging.

Windows continues to positively impact our district, inspiring students to develop Acceptance Clubs where they celebrate their beautiful differences as well as the opening of Wellness Centers at the secondary level. Our district has also opened The Kindness Connection which serves as a hub where students/families can access clothing, food, school supplies, hygienic supplies, and community resources. We continue to rise as a school district with countless smiles and positive energy being fostered in all the different learning spaces.

This is what our students and staff are saying:

• • “I had a hard time coming back to school because I did not know anyone here. Through my art, I can share my experience with my peers as I am trying to make new friends.”
    –Elementary School Student
  • “I have been dealing with so much stress lately because my family is dealing with so many illnesses. Art helps me stay positive and keep my spirits alive!”
    –High School Student
  • “Can you come back again tomorrow to do this? I really felt happy today at lunch and I made new friends today because of this activity. “
    –Elementary School Student
  • “Today taught me about ways I can release my anger, stress, and frustration because I am used to getting into fights. This helped relax my mind.”
    –Middle School Student
  • “The Life Is Sweet Activity allowed me to see students smile and rejoice talking about all the different people that are important to our students.”
    –Elementary School Staff Member
  • “Art is healing our community. Our students have a story to tell and we need to listen to them more rather than just teaching them. We have to continue to create spaces like this where ALL students can be heard and can share their true feelings, emotions, and thoughts.”
    –Elementary School Staff Member

Carlos Mares, M.A. PPS/APCC
Windows Facilitator & Social Justice Fellow
Rialto Unified School District
Rialto, CA

Use this Life is Sweet worksheet to reflect on experiences that make you happy.
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Want to utilize art to further Social Emotional Learning initiatives?
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A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) supports hundreds of direct service organizations across the country to incorporate creative expression into their work with trauma survivors. With this blog we uplift the voices of our art workshop facilitators and participants. We invite you to take in this perspective, notice what resonates and explore how it may fit into your life.