MARYSVILLE – You can’t just tell kids to “Keep Calm,” you have to teach them how to do it – especially if they are 500 grade schoolers.

Allen Creek Elementary School is trying something new this year, and it’s led to a better learning environment.

Principal Janelle McFalls told the school board Monday that most of the discipline problems at the school last year happened before the initial bell rang, and kids were waiting outside.

This year students meet in the gym, sit quietly, relax, close their eyes, and practice relaxation breathing for about five minutes before school starts.

The time is called “Morning Mindfulness,” and many of the teachers and students take it beyond the morning assembly. Some kids even use the techniques to try to control themselves at home.

Vice Principal Anne Neuman said the old system “set them up for failure.”

The new process is “transforming the school.”

Neuman said at the start of the year the staff wasn’t sure if it would work.

“We told them this may fail,” she said. “It was a radical change, and we were afraid the staff might get mad at us.”

It was slow at first, taking about 10 minutes for the kids just to settle down.

Fifth-grade teacher Kimberly Harrington leads the sessions. On Tuesday that practiced a relaxation exercise they had never done before.

“Focus on me,” she said in a calming voice. “Voices off.”

Harrington told them to tighten their muscles and then relax, breathing in and out their nose.

Neuman said the students learn techniques that work for them, and they use them in all areas of their lives.

The “Morningful Mindfulness” assembly has started a positive ripple effect at the school.

A WAVE of Kindness is happening there:

We are respectful.

Act responsibly.

Value achievement.

Everyone is safe.

Also, teachers give out tickets to students when they see them doing something for others. Prizes awarded to top performers.