DCSD Healthy Schools

October  2018

Happy Autumn to all! What a great time of the year to enjoy the great outdoors without sweating or freezing. I am just finishing up listening to Nature's Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier and More Creative by Florence Williams. Fabulous read if you have time (or try listening to it). The author has done her research and the proof is there, nature helps calm the mind and opens it up for creative thinking. Maybe bring this idea to your classroom and get your kids out this week for a walk, reading, drawing, or just quiet time! Everyone will benefit! Below are some valuable resources for SHIP support as well as individual classroom/teacher support. We also have some exciting classes coming up, so please read on!!

Professional Development Opportunities

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• Explore the new CDE Comprehensive Health Standards
• Session ID: 2079-1
• October 24, 2018 ~ 8:00-3:30 PM ~ 
  Parker Library Event Hall B

Teachers will have an opportunity to explore the new Colorado Health Standards (effective 2020). Looking at key shifts within the standards, teachers will reflect on what the changes mean for their classroom and learn how to incorporate these changes through lesson and assessment planning. Teachers will leave the training with a clear vision for their health classroom, lesson plans that focus on skill progression, and an outline of what student mastery should look like. Subs and lunch will be provided.

Contact Laurie LaComb if you need a sub (after you ask your site-please) at lllacomb@dcsdk12.org

Restorative Justice Fall 2018 Workshop
Session ID: 2034-1
October 23, 2018  ~ 9:00-4:00 PM ~ Highlands Ranch Mansion

This workshop is an opportunity to learn a practical approach for how to use a variety of Restorative Practices.  Workshop sessions will focus on using skills and include opportunities for dialog.  Sessions will include strategies appropriate for teachers, administrators, and mental health.  These sessions will emphasize a focus on building culture and climate, addressing student behavior challenges, and repairing serious harm. Subs will be provided through Aesop- "RP Symposium". Lunch is provided!

Food For Thought: Bringing Nutrition Education Into the Classroom

Session ID: 2082-1

November 14, 2018 ~ 8:00-3:30 PM ~ Nutrition Services Building

Are you an elementary school staff member looking to bring nutrition education to life in your school? This interactive training will provide participants with the opportunity to dig into the nutrition-related concepts and skills of the Colorado Health Education Standards and learn ways to integrate and reinforce nutrition education across the school environment. Participants will be able to leave this training with ideas and resources on how to bring nutrition education to life in their classroom and greater school environment. Subs and lunch will be provided. Contact Laurie LaComb if you need a sub (after you ask your site-please) at lllacomb@dcsdk12.org

Community Events

Don't miss this opportunity!! Dr. Jess Shatkin, author of Born to be Wild: How Teen Take Risks, and How We Can Keep Them Safe, will be speaking about decoding the adolescent brain!

Monday, November 5th, 6:30 PM, Cresthill Middle School

Tuesday, November 6th, 6:30 PM, Ponderosa High School

Register Here Now!

Funding Opportunities

Schools that enter will be evaluated on how they best demonstrate a need to use the Drive for Education Grant. Choose compelling and specific reasons which you believe best enhance and increase your schools' program. With your application please provide a personalized description or essay detailing your schools' need. The submitted essay should describe how the grant will impact education in the classroom, facilities of student programs. 

February Grant Awards : Applications (link) accepted September 1st - January 1st 

How Will You Reimagine Recess?

Recess is more than just a chance for kids to run around. Through play, children have the opportunity to engage in physical activity while learning critical social and emotional skills.

Is you recess supporting students' physical and emotional development? We're teaming up with Laureus USA to give away $2,500 to two lucky schools to reimagine their recess.

Take these 3 easy steps for a chance to win $2,500:
1. Build your custom recess guide at ReimagineRecess.org
2. Snap a picture of your students utilizing one of the activities.
3. Upload it to social media & tag it with #ReimagineRecess to be entered to win the grand prize of $2,500. 

Health Education

Looking for resources for Health Education in the high school classroom. This is a fabulous online magazine for students. Here is the link: Student Health 101

Overall Healthy Resources for your Classroom

Sign up for Healthier Generation if you have not had a chance to yet- great resources!!

WATCH NOW ON DEMAND: One of our most popular webinar events yet!

Here are 15 rapid-fire wellness tips to improve your own well-being and model healthy habits for your students.  Enjoy this brief 15-minute webinar recording right now (registration needed)!

EVERFI provides free, digital programs for DCSD schools that can help teach important health concepts in an engaging way. They have digital resources on topics like: social-emotional learning, healthy lifestyles and nutrition, alcohol education, and prescription drug abuse prevention (ranging from grades 1-12) which are vetted and approved by the district while complying with Colorado's privacy laws. Please contact scipriani@everfi.com and she will help you set up your account and give you information on how to get unlimited $15 Amazon gift cards.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council and NFL, in collaboration with the USDA, to help encourage today's youth to lead healthier lives. Check them out!!

Graphic from Sleeptastic Solutions

Here is a neat activity for older students that looks at the different components for wellness. Explore this website and find a free download of a wellness wheel that can be completed by your students.  http://www.projectschoolwellness.com/wellness-basics-the-wellness-wheel/

Mindfulness

Insight timer recently created teen mindfulness meditations (scroll down once you open link). Great resource for the classroom or for individual students. They have some nice options for children and teens. You have to download the app.

Physical Activity

Picture from Yoga Calm

Yoga in the Classroom Watch this video from Action for a Healthier Generation

Need some support for movement in your classroom or school. Please read this Physical Activity is Critical article and share it with others! This article focuses on the connection between physical activity and mental health.

Nutrition

Do you like to cook or is it a hassle for you? Read this article on 4 tips of making healthy eating a little easier. 

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded chicken
1 avocado
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp lime juice
1 tsp fresh cilantro
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup plain Greek Yogurt

 Directions: Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20-30 minutes to let all those yummy flavors blend together. Recipe Resource- Family Fresh Meals

Tips for Parents

Tips for parents: Create routines that foster healthy habits at home. Prepare healthy snacks or meals that fit your schedule and limit screen time to a certain number of hours per week. If it helps, hang up a whiteboard calendar that you and your children can use to incorporate new routines.   Make sure your children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. This is key especially on weekends and holidays when they’re not in school. Here are some ideas for staying active at home. Get engaged with or volunteer at your child’s school. Find out what kinds of health and wellness programs and policies they have. Take a tour of the school, go to some events, or even initiate one they don’t currently do, like Take Your Parents to PE or a Walk to School Day event. Find out if your child’s school has a school health or wellness team. If so, join it. If not, build your own. Familiarize yourself with your school’s or district’s policies around nutrition and physical activity.

Thanks for taking time to read the blog this month! Have a wonderful rest of your month! Please submit a comment and get your name in the drawing which is happening on Halloween!!

With gratitude for all that you do,

Laurie & Kimmy