Self-care, regular check-ins needed to help students maintain mental health Hall-Dale Middle School teacher Dani Quirion has seen positive changes in her students since incorporating mindfulness exercises with her sixth-graders. This is the second of a four-part special report. FARMINGDALE — Before Dani Quirion’s students left for winter break, she asked them to reflect on three things they were proud to have done over the past year. “I’m doing the best that I can,” said one of her students, who is timid and does not share much. “I can’t always get online because my Wi-Fi is bad, but I’m trying my best. COVID-19 taught us to work together and be nice, and I wish that it could be over so we could take off our masks and be together.”