Nov/Dec 2016

November/December 2016

This time of year demonstrates so many wonderful aspects of human nature- gratitude, giving to others, deepening friendships,  appreciating family, and kindness.  We work in professions that overflows with kindness and the holidays only brings it to a higher level.  It is during this time that we give to those we don't know, we receive from many, we pay it forward, and we enjoy listening and watching the kind acts around us.  Dr. Hamilton, using science to inspire, studies how kindness makes us happier, is good for our hearts, slows  the aging process, improves relationships, and is contagious!! When we focus on kindness our world becomes kinder, we become kinder. 

Kindness Video link
The 5 Effects of Kindness link

Healthy Schools Free School Assessment Tool

It is not too late to sign up as a Smart Source Pilot school that provides support for implementation, 1/2 day sub to review results, and a $100 stipend. We are looking for 3-4 more schools to complete this easy and free assessment tool which measures how your school is meeting the components of the Whole School, Community, Child model.   The benefits of this are many! To name two, it gives you a great pulse on what your school is doing well and what areas of school health may need more attention.

Please reach out if you would like to Laurie LaComb at lllacomb@dcsdk12.org to participate through DCSD. If you feel that you don't need the the support of our department, just use the link below.

Smart Source link

Funding

It's too good not to repeat this opportunity! 

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.

February Grant Awards (selected schools will be awarded in February)

• Submissions open September 1
• Submissions close January 1
• All selected schools will be notified by January 15
• Award ceremony will be held in February

Application link

Playground Makeover Opportunity

Together Counts has launched this year’s Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes, their biggest incentive program. Anyone can enter the sweepstakes on behalf of a school to win a $30K grant and a brand new playground.

Playground Makeover link

Healthy Schools Champion Awards Application

Come on DCSD healthy schools- time to brag on your awesome work!! Each year the Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) recognizes over 40 schools' efforts on making schools a healthier and happier place to learn. Not only are schools recognized for their work, there are accompanied by financial awards ranging from $350-$7,500. The Healthy Schools Champion application will open November 15 and is due January 20th. CEI will host a breakfast celebration on March 3, 2017:) Information will available on their website starting November 15th. We are here to help with the application process in any way, please let us know how we can help! 

CEI link

100 Mile Club

Do you want to get your students moving outside during the winter? Here is an easy to use ultra-marathon program, motivating students, staff, and parents to move a 100 miles during the school year. Here is the opportunity to participate in an easy to manage program.

The 100 Mile Club is designed to improve the health and well being of children through daily physical activity in a non-competitive, supportive, and fully inclusive environment. There are three program options: Certificate Path (free),  Gold Medal (signature incentives for a low cost) or Hybrid (a little of both).  

100 mile club link

Physical activity Break

Rock, Paper, Scissors... Move it in Math

Materials: math flashcards

Directions:

1. Toe to Toe with Partner

2. One partner picks a math flashcard

3. Solve math problem

4. Jump number of times equal to answer

5. Last 3 jumps, play rock, paper, scissors

6.Repeat

Idea came from Alliance for a Healthier Generation  Healthier Generation link

Mindfulness

Kindness Counts! Let's bring kindness into our classrooms.  Here are some free and fabulous resources for you to use with your students and staff...

Random Acts of Kindness link

49 Ways to Create Kindness link

Think Kindness link (This is an amazing link might be blocked by DCSD firewall...try it at home!)

School Celebrations!!

This came from Jennifer Tracy at Soaring Hawk...

"This work is already changing our culture!  We had an "October Birthdays" potluck celebration and I reminded staff that October seems to be all about candy and sweets, but we've been doing such a good job with Walktober, so we should also consider healthy options.  My 4 POUNDS of grapes were the first to be finished on the food table and there were many healthy options available!

ALSO, I just left the Halloween Party that was planned solely by the Wellness Ambassadors (a group of 6th graders), and they were drawing on jack-o-lantern oranges to judge and eat for a snack and decided one mini-doughnut was okay for their doughnut hanging on a string activity.  SOOOO nice to see in comparison with the ridiculous amounts of sweets we typically see!

AND - I understand that Healthy Schools is more geared toward students, but I know that Employee Wellness is one of the 10 components.  We have had amazing participation in our water consumption challenge, Walktober and now "Planksgiving" (already 40+ staff!!!).  So proud of our school!"

If it weren't for all of our amazing healthy schools leads at each school, the message would never get out there. Thank you Jennifer and to ALL of our Healthy Schools Leads. You are wonderful and you are making the difference!!!

DCSD Healthy Schools Lending Library

Thank you to the hard work and organizational skills of Kimmy Romine, our lending library is open for business!  

HS Library Link

Fitness for Staff

Mile High Fitness has  a plethora of fitness related classes and workshops for staff.  These are all at a cost but, in case your PTA is funding fitness for staff or a group of people at your site are interested in paying a group rate, contact Kim Farmer at kfarmer@milehighfitness.com  or visit her website Mile High Fitness Link

College Course Available

FOR 2017: TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

FROM THE DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE

One of our most popular hybrid courses is back!  We love, love, love to teach this material and welcome teachers from all backgrounds for this hybrid course designed to unlock how the brain works in a friendly, engaging, fun, and useful way that you can apply directly into the classroom. 

Mission Cognition:  A Hybrid Course

Location: Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Course Components:

• Three Face-to-face Dates:  January 7,  January 21, February 4 (half-day)
• A 4-week Online Course:  January 7 – February 4

Credit:  1.5 Continuing education credits from the Colorado School of Mines upon completion of all course components (included as a part of your registration fee)

Cost:  $300

To register click here   

Take the course with a colleague--helps to reinforce what you've learned!

Brain research is difficult to interpret and even more challenging to make use of in your teaching. Through hands-on activities (brain dissection, anyone?), guest speakers, and the most current brain and learning resources, we’ll make it easier by creating a welcoming environment where you have the luxury of time to delve into ideas with your peers, pulling out the most pertinent research and current ideas of practice teachers should know about when it comes to understanding how the brain works and what that means for learning, memory, and retention.   

This course also includes learning about the relationship between movement and the brain, how the brain’s ability to process emotions plays such a key role in creating a productive and civil environment for learning, and how knowing about working memory can make a difference in how your students process information.

This hybrid course is designed for teachers of grades 4–12 and P.E. Teachers

Questions? Contact Robert Payo at robert.payo@dmns.org

Healthy & Yummy Recipe

CAPRESE PESTO PENNE

Serves 4 INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound whole wheat penne
• extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 3 – 4 cups arugula
• 1/2 cup basil pesto, store-bought or homemade
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella (buffalo if you can get your hands on it!), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• coarse sea salt, to taste
• 
  
• INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bring a big pot of water to a boil, add a liberal dose of salt, then cook penne according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil to medium. Add garlic and cook, stirring continuously, for 30 seconds until it begins to turn pale golden. Add cherry tomatoes and continue stirring and cooking for 2 – 3 minutes, just until tomatoes start to soften.
3. Add arugula to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, then add pasta, mozzarella, and basil pesto. Toss everything together until pasta is warmed through and everything is lightly coated in pesto. Sprinkle with pine nuts and a pinch of salt, drizzle with more extra-virgin olive oil, and serve, passing more pesto at the table as needed.  Recipe link

Thank you for reading this blog today. Please know that I feel immense gratitude for what you do everyday. Not only do you work so hard with your classrooms, students and families but you go the extra mile to do what is best for your school. Enjoy this special time of year with friends and families, being mindful of all the goodness that unfolds. 

Please comment on this blog your thoughts, experiences, and successes.  This blog's "Reader's Prize" will be sent December 1st, so comment away!

With gratitude,
Laurie

October 2016

October 2016

I just finished reading Dan Harris's book, 10% Happier.  His book focuses on taming the constant narration that occurs in peoples' minds day to day, looking for strategies to create more space for happiness.  My big take away from reading his book is the concept of "Purposeful Pauses".  By taking thoughtful pauses throughout the day one become present to the moment. The effect is amazing! By doing so we boost the muscle of focus in our prefrontal cortex, we reduce the frazzle feeling that can be a constant state in our lives, and allows us to take a step back to regroup.  Now that fall break is here, enjoy your long pause from your work lives. Take some days to treat yourself well, focus on anything but work, and rest.  If you can, take a few purposeful pauses to soak it up and enjoy the time you are so worthy of! Hopefully when you return, you can incorporate a few purposeful pauses into the work you do.

Grant Opportunity

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.

February Grant Awards (selected schools will be awarded in February)

• Submissions open September 1
• Submissions close January 1
• All selected schools will be notified by January 15
• Award ceremony will be held in February

application link

Technology Ideas

Mathicon

Improves math operations, speed and number concepts. And it's FREE!

Get your students moving with this online program that guides students through moderate to vigorous physical activities in your classrooms. There is a free aspect to the program, as well as a teacher price of $6.99 per month which I think any PTA would love to support ;-)!  

Adventure to Fitness link

Physical Activity Ideas

1. Secret Password: Every day establish a secret password activity such as 5 jumping jacks, stand on one foot for 5 seconds, hop three times, etc. Then establish when the student needs to use the secret password - i.e. after a drink of water, before receiving a hand out, when entering the classroom, in between subjects, etc. 

2. Walking Worksheets: Tape worksheets on wall, easel and chalkboard. Students move from worksheet to worksheet and answer the different questions. 

3. Opposite Hunt: Divide the class in half. Half of the class write a word on an index card. The other half writes the definition. Shuffle the cards and hand one card to each student. The students must move around the classroom and match the word with the definition. For younger students match up sight words, letter or numbers. Try math problems and solutions. 

4. Pencil Jumps: For a quick movement break in between lessons have each student place a pencil on the floor. Jump over the pencil a designated number of times. 

5. Race in Place: When reviewing material, have the students stand up and run in place by their desks. On the teacher’s signal, student stops running in place, listens to question and writes down the answer on paper. 

6. Daily Rule: Establish a new daily rule every day that includes physical activity. I.e. walk backwards to water fountain, tip toe to the bathroom, stretch before sitting in chair. See if you can catch the students forgetting the daily rule.

More ideas and reference link

Mindfulness Moment

Marble Roll: A Cooperative Game for Teaching Mindfulness

Materials: empty paper towel or toilet paper roll for each child, one marble for the group

Directions: The children stand in a line, close together. Each child holds an empty paper towel or toilet paper roll. The child at the head of the line puts the marble in her paper towel roll and tilts it slightly so that the marble rolls into the roll of the person next to her. 

The object is to try to move the marble from the first person in the line to the last person without dropping the marble. No catching with hands allowed! If someone drops the marble, she must start over again at the beginning of the line.

This activity increases focus, impulse control, and cooperative skills.

Marble Roll is a sample activity from the book Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children, and is reprinted here with permission from publisher Parallax Press. 

Unified Champion Schools Program

Special Olympics Unified Schools brings youth with and without intellectual disabilities together through education and sports to create school communities of acceptance and respect. The Unified Schools resource pages serves as a portal for youth, programs and educators who are looking to become more involved with the Special Olympics movement. This amazing program is a wonderful way to get students moving together, providing opportunities for leadership skills building, community involvement, and opportunities for students to belong to something bigger than themselves.

Unified Champion Schools Resources Link

Healthy Recipe

Tuscan Vegetable Soup

1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium canellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
2 carrots, diced (about 1/2 cup)
2 stalks celery, diced, (about 1/2 cup)
1 small zucchini, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 clove garlic, minced1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can no salt added diced tomatoes
2 cups chopped baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan, optional

Directions: 

1. In a small bowl mash half of the beans with a masher or the back of a spoon, and set aside. 

2. Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, garlic, thyme, sage, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and cook stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the broth and tomatoes with the juice and bring to a boil. Add the mashed and whole beans and the spinach leaves and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes more.

Serve topped with Parmesan, if desired.
recipe link

Community Partners

American Heart Association closes its registration window at the end of October. Last year DCSD had over 22,000 students and families participate. Let's beat that number! I strongly encourage you to share 10-15 minutes of your time with Morgan to hear about these programs and how they can enhance the wellness of your school community. You can reach Morgan.June@heart.org or 623-340-1364. Thank you in advance for your support.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Fall Healthy Schools Workshop at the Highlands Ranch Mansion. The positive energy and thoughtful participation made it an incredible day for everyone.  Please let me know how the Healthy Schools Department can support you and your school in any aspect of the Whole School, Community, Child model.

Please leave a comment on this blog, it helps me improve what I include. Maybe you have a great idea to share with those who subscribe.

Enjoy your break!

Laurie