Healthy and happy students and staff perform better! We know this because we observe it, we live it, and there is a plethora of research to support it. At this point in the school year we start to feel a bit tired, burnt, and ready for the year to end (good thing spring break is only a few weeks away!). I want to encourage you to remind yourself of how awesome you and your work with healthy schools are, and to encourage everyone to sprint past the finish line. This time of year is a great time to offer new ideas to teachers, apply for grants, and to reach our to your community members to help you do what you do! Kimmy and I are here to support you any way that we can. Have a wonderful month of March.
Grant Opportunities (5 chances!)
Chance #1
It's on AGAIN!!
Local schools will receive up to $3,500 each to enhance academic or extra-curricular programs. It could be your school! For eligibility, click the "Nominate Your School" link. Students or teachers should write a short essay specifically detailing how your school would use $3,500 to enhance education and where the money would go (I.e., toward a new facility, new equipment, teen education program or disability program). Students, teachers and administration are encouraged to participate in Groove Auto's DRIVE for education® program. LINK
September Grant Awards (selected schools will be awarded in September)
Submissions open March 1
Submissions close August 1
All selected schools will be notified by August 15
Award ceremony will be held in September
- Look at our DCSD February Grant award winners...
Roxborough Intermediate $3,500
Mesa Middle School $3,500
Colorado has been selected to kick off the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) 2017 DON’T QUIT! Fitness campaign, which will award $100,000 fitness centers to three Colorado schools that demonstrate leadership in getting and keeping their students fit. The nomination process is open now and will go through the end of May. To learn more or to nominate your school, visit: www.natgovfit.org.
Chance #3 General Healthy Schools Initiatives
Schools need resources to implement health and wellness practices that help students eat better and be physically active. Thanks to our partners, Action for Healthy Kids has provided $6.6 million in grants to schools since 2009. Our School Grants for Healthy Kids can help your school health team achieve its goal to make every kid healthy and ready to learn. Action for Healthy Kids is now accepting grant applications for the 2017-2018 school year between February 6 - April 7, 2017. See below for details and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date and find out how schools like yours are putting their grants to work.
Chance #4 DCEF
In an effort to make the Apple Awards more accessible and inclusive to DCSD employees, DCEF is pleased to announce the Apple Awards will be offering three (3) competitive grants for any DCSD employee, school, or department to apply.
In an effort to make the Apple Awards more accessible and inclusive to DCSD employees, DCEF is pleased to announce the Apple Awards will be offering three (3) competitive grants for any DCSD employee, school, or department to apply.
Applicants can earn up to $5,000 if selected.
Grant monies will be awarded in the following categories:
- Classroom Support Grant
- School/Department Innovation Grant
- Professional Development Grant
Applications for Apple Award Opportunities Grants are available by clicking here. Submissions must be received by March 31, 2017.
Chance #5 $$ for Students
Announcing the 23rd Annual Poetry Contest
Grab your pens and get ready to have some fun! Prizes will be awarded by grade/age divisions. 1st place: $60; 2nd Place $40; 3rd Place $20. Longmont Dairy Website
Write about:
“A Day in the Life of a Cow.” Think of all the fun, crazy, imaginative things a cow could do in 24 hours.Email your poem to: CustomerService@LongmontDairy.com before midnight, March 12, 2017.
“A Day in the Life of a Cow.” Think of all the fun, crazy, imaginative things a cow could do in 24 hours.Email your poem to: CustomerService@LongmontDairy.com before midnight, March 12, 2017.
School Success Stories
Roxborough incorporates wellness and engineering!
In engineering class, all students grades 3-6 learned what "wellness" means. With help from the districts Universal Prevention team, we defined wellness as physical, intellectual, and emotional wellbeing. Students took a survey to determine which area they struggle with most, then designed and built prototypes to solve wellness problems in each of the 3 categories.
We found that almost half of our students say they struggle with intellectual wellness(the ability to learn something new or focus on task completion). Students prototyped fidget pencils, processes to find friends to sit with at lunch, ideas for wellness apps, new brain breaks, and a mindfulness area in the engineering room to name a few. It was a powerful experience for all of us and a great teaching tool to inform students about wellness. They also received GROOVE funding and will be creating an outdoor/indoor tinker lab with the funds.
In engineering class, all students grades 3-6 learned what "wellness" means. With help from the districts Universal Prevention team, we defined wellness as physical, intellectual, and emotional wellbeing. Students took a survey to determine which area they struggle with most, then designed and built prototypes to solve wellness problems in each of the 3 categories.
We found that almost half of our students say they struggle with intellectual wellness(the ability to learn something new or focus on task completion). Students prototyped fidget pencils, processes to find friends to sit with at lunch, ideas for wellness apps, new brain breaks, and a mindfulness area in the engineering room to name a few. It was a powerful experience for all of us and a great teaching tool to inform students about wellness. They also received GROOVE funding and will be creating an outdoor/indoor tinker lab with the funds.
Cherry Valley has a healthy Valentine's Day celebration with these tasty beauties...
3 DCSD Schools win the title of Healthiest School in Colorado Champions! Way to go Bear Canyon, Cherry Valley & Fox Creek. Here's the article and photos will be posted next blog.
Can Virtual Reality “Teach” Empathy?
"But emerging evidence suggests that one of VR’s biggest strengths is its ability to tap student emotions, notably empathy and the can-do confidence known as self-efficacy." Article
Specialized Kids’ Fitness
Recess
Don't forget the necessity of recess.... http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues/issues180.shtml
New Books in our Healthy Schools Library
Healthy Schools Library
Self Compassion for Teens, by Lee-Anne Gray
Breathe, Chill, by Litsa Roberts
The Judgmental Flower, by Julia Flower
Mindfulness for Teachers, by Patricia A. Jennings
Mindful Moments (cards), by Lynea & Jim Gillen
Looking for before and after school PA at your school?
Do you remember feeling like you could do anything!? When you climbed a tree for fun, ran down a hill as fast as you could, or picked up your best friend just to show your strength? We do. And we want our kids to feel that way too.
KidsFit Colorado enhances kids’ physical literacy and watches them become competent, confident, and motivated. We optimize kids’ physical education so they can tap into their athleticism like it’s some kind of superpower.
When a child is taught HOW to move, they WILL choose to play-(rather than grab the iPad or video game). When we give kids the knowledge of how to find success in a physical endeavor, kids step out of the gym knowing they can do whatever they set out to do. This mentality leads to perseverance and confidence, it carries on with kids throughout their lives. When we teach them fundamental physical movement it will lead to a lifetime of health and happiness.
Specialized Kids’ Fitness
Contact Nancy Weissert at nancyweissert@gmail.com for more information
De-stress Before the Test
1. Do some breathing exercises with your students. link for adults and older kids, link for younger students
2. Exercise!
3. Help students prepare for the test- either content or testing skills
4. Bring some bubble wrap to pop or other finger fidgets (use before test of course)
5. Open up some mind space through guided thinking exercises.
Drink your Water!
In case you haven't been as good about drinking water, read this article and learn about 34 ways it will make your life a little bit better. It's also great to remind your students
Healthy Recipe
PEANUT BUTTER BANANA OVERNIGHT OATS
PREP TIME
TOTAL TIME
Simple peanut butter banana overnight oats made with just 7 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time.
Author: Everyday Easy Eats
Recipe type: Breakfast, Brunch
Serves: 1 - 2
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup low-fat milk
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- Half a banana, peeled and sliced
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a mason jar, plastic container or bowl, layer oats, milk, ground flaxseed or chia seeds, Greek yogurt, honey, peanut butter and banana. Stir to combine and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, eat it cold or heat it in the microwave for a warm oatmeal.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving size: 1 (of 2) Calories: 250 Fat: 9.2g Carbohydrates: 35.9g Sugar: 17.6gSodium: 46.3mg Fiber: 4.1g Protein: 10.3g Cholesterol: 7.8mg
With peace and gratitude,
Laurie
