February 

Lessons from a hippo

We can't help it, we love hippos! This light hearted article from MindFuel Daily reminds us of 

what is important in life! Enjoy February!

Physical Activity

Boks has a new logo and a great weekly BOKS Bursts that they can email you regularly.  To enroll use this link.

This is this week's Weekly Burst: Pop-up and Go

Have children start lying on their stomachs on the ground. On your command, instruct them to "pop up" as fast as they can, completing a different running activity (in place) each time (30 seconds each):

1. Fast feet

2. High knees as if running through tires

3. Butt kickers

4. Wide leg high knees

5. Fast feet while rotating in a clockwise direction

6. Fast feet while rotating in a counter-clockwise direction

It's Heart Healthy Month!  Great time to get motivated and inspired to take care of the old ticker.  Here are a few ideas...

Eat a heart healthy diet

Get and stay active- more than 150 minutes a week

Watch your sugar intake- keep blood sugars low

Mindful Movement Take 5- Thank you Megan Balfe!

Mindfulness

Plugging in to listen to a guided meditation is an easy way to get a core practice of mindfulness established.  If you are looking for an app to use for guided meditations with yourself and your students read this list of some new options.  10 New Meditation Apps Article

Are your days starting out foggy, unfocused, uninspired? Try Carrie Wisehart's Six Habits of a Miracle Morning.

Seven Easy Steps to Personalized Mindfulness in Schools

by ASCD 

Step 1: Allow Participants to Voice Their Stress
Step 2: Understand How Stress Relates to Mindfulness
Step 3: Appreciate the Multiple Benefits of Mindfulness
Step 4: Take a Brief Self-Inventory
Step 5: Look for a Main Pattern
Step 6: Choosing Our Own Paths to Mindfulness
Step 7: Revel in Your Personalized Approach

7 Steps to Mindfulness Article

Technology

Tech Talk Tuesdays
Do you need some discussion questions for class? Subscribe to the Screenagers Tech Talk Tuesdays blog and receive weekly ideas on what to discuss with your students and your own family members. This week is about shopping online and here is a taste of the questions...

• What are some of the upsides of being able to shop online? What are your favorite online browsing/shopping sites?
• What are some of the downsides? ** I often feel sad about losing shops in all of our communities who just can't survive the online competition.
• What are ways to stay on task longer with studying and not be pulled into switching to a shopping site?

Training Opportunities

Wellness Wednesday: Healthy Family Celebrations
Wednesday, February 14, 3-3:30pm (CT)
Learn how to engage families with healthy and fun events that help support an overall culture of wellness at your school. Hosting an event that involves physical activity and healthy eating can help you promote healthy behaviors, share positive messages, educate and engage parents, and motivate kids.

PARENTS: check out Rock School Health Like a Boss

Thursday, February 15, 12-1pm (CT)
We've teamed up with National PTA to bring you the best resources and tools to help make your school a healthier learning environment. This webinar will give you the information you need to help school administrators and school boards understand the importance of school health to academic success.

Celebrating School Health with Every Kid Healthy Week
Thursday, February 22, 3-4pm (CT)
Every Kid Healthy Week brings attention to the nation's problem of childhood obesity, but more importantly, to its solutions: sound nutrition, regular physical activity, health-promoting school programs and successful engagement of families and communities. Join this webinar to learn more about Every Kid Healthy Week and how you can host an event to join the national movement.

Wellness Wednesday: Yoga in the Classroom
Wednesday, March 14, 2-3pm (CT)
Learn about integrating yoga into a classroom environment, including how to use simple yoga-based movements and practices to increase physical fitness, student focus and academic performance!

Helping Kids Learn Better with Healthy School Meals
Thursday, March 22, 1-2pm (CT)
Kids who eat healthy school meals have fewer absences and higher academic achievement. Learn how national school meal programs work and how parents and community members can deepen support, trust and meaningful collaboration with nutrition services staff to create a healthier school food culture.

Wellness Wednesday: Healthy Snacking
Wednesday, April 11, 3-3:30pm (CT)
Join us for tips to help spice up your snacking routine with fun and healthy snacks for all ages. Learn about easy, healthy snacks you can serve during or after school and as part of school celebrations.

Reading, Writing, Arithmetic...and Recess
Thursday, April 19, 12-1pm (CT)
Recess is more than just fun and games. It helps kids think creatively, make friends, share and resolve conflicts. Kids need recess, but schools are cutting out that time for more academics. Join us to learn more about why recess is important and how you can advocate for better recess in your schools.

Wellness Wednesday: How to Show Your Volunteers They’re Valued
Wednesday, May 9, 3-3:30pm (CT)
The end of the school year is a great time to show all the family and community members who have helped support your school health efforts throughout the year just how much you appreciate them. Join us to hear some creative ways other schools have thanked their volunteers and engaged them to become even more active in the future.

School Digs (or Raising the Bar and Profits with Healthy School Fundraisers)
Thursday, May 17, 12-1pm (CT)
Whether it’s the cafeteria, the playground, the classroom or another area on your campus, kids need to get the same message everywhere: Be Active & Eat Healthy! This webinar is designed to show you where campuses can improve to make sure that kids are getting the right message.

School Success Stories

Here are some fabulous ideas from Jennifer Tracy (Soaring Hawk) for Heart Health Awareness:

*Wear Red Wednesday - Staff and students celebrate Healthy Heart Awareness by wearing red each Wednesday. Staff are welcome to wear jeans if they remember to wear red on Wednesdays in February!

*Hidden Heart - Each morning, the 6th grade Wellness Ambassadors will hide a stuffed purple heart for the staff and students to find.  It will be clearly visible in the common areas of the school.  We hope to encourage some impromptu walks within our walls, and then don't forget to put a "heart in the jar"!

*Random School-wide Physical Activity - On multiple days throughout the month, there will be a random announcement on the PA (during CREW) asking the classes to stand up and do an activity (i.e. wall push-ups, 20 hops on each foot, etc.), THEN each class is encouraged to bring a heart down to the jars in the office.

*Go Red Day Blood Pressure Checks in the Lounge - Erika will be in the lounge from 11am-1pm and she will take note of anyone who gets their blood pressure checked (not their result).  It's important to know your numbers!  I will pull a name for a prize from all those who participated.

*"(BLANK) is Why" poster - All staff is encouraged to write their motivation of why they want to be healthy to live a long life. We will post these messages in the lounge on the walls for the month of February.

Nutrition

Many of us drink coffee practically every day, so why not add a little something, something to make it a bit healthier! Read these ideas from Greatist.

SLOW COOKER SAUSAGE & EGG BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

    

PRINT

  Yields 6 to 8 servings

This low carb slow cooker breakfast casserole will make your mornings all the brighter. Packed with broccoli and breakfast sausage for a healthy start to your day.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium head broccoli, chopped
• 1 12-oz package Jones Dairy Farm Little Links, cooked and sliced
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar, divided
• 10 eggs
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Grease the ceramic interior of a 6 quart slow cooker well.
2. Layer one half of the broccoli, half of the sausage and half of the cheese into the slow cooker. Repeat with remaining broccoli, sausage and cheese.
3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, whipping cream, garlic, salt and pepper until well combined. Pour over layered ingredients.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours, until browned on the edges and set in the center.

by Carolyn

RECIPE NOTES

Serves 6 to 8. For 6 servings, each serving has 5.39 g of carbs and 1.18 g of fiber. Total NET CARBS = 4.21 g.

Food energy: 484kcal Saturated fatty acids: 16.50g Total fat: 38.86g Calories from fat: 349 Cholesterol: 399mg Carbohydrate: 5.39g Total dietary fiber: 1.18g Protein: 26.13g Sodium: 858mg

Recipe Link

Fun and Healthy Valentine treats...

Strawberry, angel food cake, and Blackberry kabobs

Grape tomatoes & cheese

Chex cereal, driend strawberries, & yogurt covered raisins

Thank you for reading this month's blog! We are open to any suggestions for health and wellness ideas and resources that you make be looking tobring into your school setting. Just leave a note in comments and we will make sure to include it in our March blog.  Have a heart healthy month!

Laurie LaComb & Kimmy Romine

February 2017

February 2017

Thank you for all that you do to make your school a healthy and happy learning and working environment.  

Keep up the awesome work and do not hesitate to ask for help if needed!

$$$ Opportunities

Earn  $300 for you, $300 for your class, and a salad bar for your school (which can be donated to a school that does not have one). The Colorado Potato Administrative Committee is sponsoring a video contest They are asking teachers to make a 30-second to 2-minute video about why it is important to eat fruits and vegetables, including Colorado potatoes.  They will pick one winner from elementary and one from MS/HS

 The deadline is April 1, 2017

Watch this short video explaining the contest: 2017 Colorado Potatoes Video Contest - YouTube

     &  

Another $$ opportunity...

Parents for Healthy Kids, Apply for Your Wellness Project Kit Today

Action for Healthy Kids and Colorado PTA are partnering to offer wellness project equipment kits valued at up to $1,000 to support your efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and increase academic performance. Awarded groups will also receive expertise, training opportunities and resources to help implement a successful project that engages students and families. PTA/PTSAs, PTOs and other school parent groups in selected districts are eligible to apply.

Wellness Kit Options
► Host a tasting event for up to 500 students with kitchen equipment and serving supplies provided in the Taste Test & Nutrition Promotion Kit.
► Support a cooking class, club or family event with the cooking tools and accessories provided in the Healthy Cooking Kit.
► Enhance your school’s indoor or outdoor recess options with the play equipment provided on the Active Recess Cart.
► Incorporate the Healthy Games, Celebrations & Rewards Kit into your student celebrations to provide a healthy and fun alternative to traditional classroom parties.
► Bring more movement to the school day with the games and play equipment included in the Classroom Physical Activity Kit.
 
The next application deadline is March 1, 2017. Supplies are limited, so get your application in while they last. Learn more about eligibility guidelines, program requirements and how to apply.

Questions about the application and steps to apply? Contact: Erin Kobler, Wellness Project Coordinator | Action for Healthy Kids & Colorado PTA

School Successes

Thank you to those who have filled out the mid-year SHIP check-in. Please remember to fill this out before February 15th  https://goo.gl/forms/CTseiNoIOs8ekCbY2

"Our preschool students are actively naming the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex as well as their jobs!" Nancy Bass, ECE South

"I have had a lot of excited kids and the teachers have told me that they can tell a difference when kids get back to class. It has cut down on "he said she said" at the end of my time with them and gives them a chance to calm down and take a moment before entering back into the world of academia." Katie Gehring, Frontier Valley (Mindfulness)

"We're already seeing changes in the kids involved in BOKS: calmer in class, more alert, making healthier food choices. " Martha Cisneros, South Ridge

Movie Screenings in Highlands Ranch

Thursday, February 2, 2017, Mountain Vista High School  7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:15 p.m.) &

Thursday, February 9, 2017, Highlands Ranch High School 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:15 p.m.)

Film begins at 7:00 followed by a moderated discussion

Tickets: $5 - Watch trailer and register here:  www.screenagersmovie.com or here Screenagers

ABOUT THE FILM

Are you watching kids scroll through life, with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span? Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston saw that with her own kids and learned that the average kid spends 6.5 hours a day looking at screens. She wondered about the impact of all this time and about the friction occurring in homes and schools around negotiating screen time—friction she knew all too well.

In SCREENAGERS, as with her award-winning documentaries on mental health, Delaney takes a deeply personal approach as she probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.

If you are interested in hosting a screening at your school, contact Laurie LaComb at lllacomb@dcsdk12

Why Unplug?

Please take a moment to watch this powerful video by Dan Siegel.  He beautifully explains what happens to our brains when we are on our devices. Great to use for both ourselves but our students!

Video link

Unplug article link

Mindfulness

Moments (possibly many) are spent in autopilot and sometimes it may be unclear if we control the cell phone or does the cell phone control us. If you feel that you can relate to one or both of these feelings please read the article blow on no phone zones.  Here are the cliff notes:

NO PHONE ZONES
1. In the bed

2. At the table

3. Reading a book

4. In the great outdoors

5. In the car
6. Classrooms?

No phone zones NY Times article link

Reducing anxiety through music 

"Sound therapies have long been popular as a way of relaxing and restoring one's health. For centuries, indigenous cultures have used music to enhance well-being and improve health conditions. Now, neuroscientists out of the UK have specified which tunes give you the most bang for your musical buck. The study was conducted on participants who attempted to solve difficult puzzles as quickly as possible while connected to sensors. The puzzles induced a certain level of stress, and participants listened to different songs while researchers measured brain activity as well as physiological states that included heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of breathing. In fact, listening to that one song -- "Weightless" -- resulted in a striking 65 percent reduction in participants' overall anxiety, and a 35 percent reduction in their usual physiological resting rates."  

By Melanie Curtin, Contributor, Inc.com  article link

You Tube link

Health Education

Prevention and Risk Management

Break Down the Science of Opioids in Your Middle School Classroom

Operation Prevention's new Middle School digital lesson, Our Brain and Body on Opioids, is now available for download. Operation Prevention offers a national health and science standards aligned, classroom-ready PowerPoint and educator guide for teachers to introduce their students to the science behind opioids and their impact on the mind and body with a focus on different body systems.

Our Brain and Body on Opioids lesson joins these resources from Operation Prevention:

• High School Digital Lesson- In Opioid Misuse: The Signs. The Symptoms. The Science., students will examine misconceptions and facts about opioids through a series of investigations.
• Parent Toolkit - Teachers can encourage conversations at home with this toolkit designed to help parents identify the signs and symptoms and have productive dialogues with their young adults about the dangers of opioid addiction.

Hidden Sugar 

Sadly, Americans have flatlined in their reducing their consumption of sugary drinks,therefore an increased effort to educate our youth and community is imperative in order to change behaviors. Tri County Health is part of the Healthy Beverage Partnership and has a fabulous campaign running called "Hidden Sugar".  Great resources are available, please share with not only students but also the parents of your school community.

Tri County Health Link
Hidden Sugar link

Physical Activity

Play Chair Bingo! 

You can purchase these cards but it would be much cheaper to make your own.  Just in case your PTA or admin have some deep pockets, here is the link

Stations: create 3 stations in different areas of the room designated by a sign depicting a different physical activity (boxing jabs, running in place, jumping on both feet, jumping jacks, sit-ups, etc.). Divide students into 3 groups and assign them to a station. Have students perform the activity for 1 minute and then rotate to the next station. Change stations weekly- better- have the students brainstorm ideas.

Animal Instincts: Pick one student to call out an animal and have everyone mimc how the animal moves. 

BOKS Training February, BOKS will be offering a comprehensive Advanced training of its FundamentalMovement Curriculum at no cost. The training is tentatively scheduled for February 22nd at 5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. at Denver Green Elementary School. To register click Advanced BOKS Training Invite

Nutrition

Healthy Valentine's Day Tips

Healthy Valentine Treats

Healthy banana split

A healthy twist on a favorite kids’ dessert!

Ingredients:

Greek Yogurt

Heart-shaped strawberries

Chocolate shavings (use a carrot peeler)

 extra toppings ideas: sliv­ered almonds, or gra­nola

Other healthy snack ideas link

Recipe

5 minute Superfood Protein Peanut Butter Energy Bites

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup natural drippy peanut butter or almond butter
• 1/4 cup coconut palm syrup (honey also works)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup protein powder of choice*
• 1/3 cup flaxseed meal
• 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (gluten free, if desired)
• 1 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large bowl, mix together peanut butter, coconut palm syrup and vanilla extract until well combined. Add in protein powder, coconut, flaxseed meal, oats, chocolate chips and chia seeds. Mix until well combined. I usually have to use my hands to mix and work with the dough. At this point you should be able to form balls that stick together. Because all peanut butter/nut butter consistencies are different and depending on what protein powder you use, you may need to add in more nut butter or sweetener to help the balls stick together.
2. Form into 12 balls and place in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week, or the freezer for a month. Enjoy                                                                        Recipe Link

Training Opportunities with RMC Health- FREE!!

Subs will be covered by DCSD Healthy Schools

Destination 101: Getting Started with School Health

Date/Time: February 8, 2017, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Location: Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Registration cost is free. REGISTER HERE by February 3, 3pm

Session Description:

To help new school health team leaders begin their work, this training dives into the details of Destination: A Roadmap & Guidebook to Implementing a Collaborative Approach to Learning and School Health at the School-level.  We’ll explore a step-by-step process, along with essential resources and tools, to help you gain buy-in and support, develop a school health team, and create a plan to improve school health policies, programs, and practices in your school to impact student health and academic achievement. 

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.

2. Identify methods to gain administrator support for WSCC.

3. Identify school health team members and responsibilities.

4. Utilize a process for assessing and prioritizing areas for improvement.

5. Write a SMART School Health Improvement Plan.

Audience:

New school health team leaders and District Health and Wellness Coordinators that assist schools in their school with school health improvement efforts. 

Miscellaneous:

• Lunch will be provided.

• A Certificate of Completion will be provided at the conclusion of the training.  

****************************

Destination 201: Using Data to Drive Decisions and Getting Others to Notice and Support Your Efforts

Dates and Locations:

March 7, 2017, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Registration Deadline: February 28

March 10, 2017, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Zalman Center (at Harrison High School), 2755 Janitell Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 

Map to Zalman Center 

Registration Deadline: March 3

Registration cost is free. REGISTER HERE  

Session Description:

Aligned with the Travel Guides in Destination: A Roadmap & Guidebook to Implementing a Collaborative Approach to Learning and School Health at the School-level, this training will provide participants with knowledge, tools, and resources about how to collect and use meaningful data and how to share your success with others to create excitement about your school health efforts.

By the end of the training, participants will be able to: 

1. Identify the data that indicates the SMART objective has been achieved.

2. Identify action steps for how you will collect the data.

3. Identify 2-3 ways to use the data you have collected.

4. Identify the importance of sharing success.

5. Describe the six characteristics of an effective story.

6. Draft a story using the Success Story Template. 

Audience:

Experienced school health team leaders looking to take their school health team to the next level of performance and District Health and Wellness Coordinators that assist schools in their school with school health improvement efforts. 

Miscellaneous:

• Lunch will be provided.

• A Certificate of Completion will be provided at the conclusion of the training. 

I hope February is full of healthy days and relaxing moments.  This month's "Blog Reader Prize" will be picked on Valentine's day, so make sure you leave a comment this month!

With gratitude,

Laurie LaComb

DCSD Healthy Schools Coordinator

lllacomb@dcsdk12.org