Call to Action: Supporting VT Foodbank

If any of you saw (or tasted!) the apples, cabbage and carrots that were distributed at Veggie VanGo today, you may have noticed that the produce was very fresh. This is because it was locally sourced as a part of a new Foodbank program called "Vermonters Feeding Vermonters." The produce is purchased directly from Vermont farmers to be distributed at locations like our school through the Veggie VanGo program.

(click for flyer)

VT Foodbank needs our help to reach out to the legislature for public funding to support the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters program. 

The VT Foodbank relies on grants and donations to purchase the food they distribute. However, their fresh produce programs are growing. In fact, the first year I managed this program here in Winooski, an average of 250 people participated in the program. Today, we served 426!

The staff here knows how important this fresh food is for our students and Winooski school & community. If you'd like to see the produce continue to be fresh and locally sourced, please consider letting your lawmakers know you support this funding request. Click here for more information and to e-sign the petition.

If you prefer to send a handwritten card, I have them in my office. Jaycie

PATH Adventure: Joy Ride!

Register now for the annual PATH Adventure!

"Self-Care is Not Selfish"

During pre-service, Mohamed Diop and I were chatting about wellness. He commented that he wanted to make a t-shirt with the slogan, "Self Care is Not Selfish". I thought that was an idea worth sharing. Your health and wellbeing are important not just to you, but to your students, colleagues and those who you live with and love. Taking care of yourself ultimately means taking care of others.

It's been over 7 weeks since the start of school. Younger classrooms have laid the groundwork for the rest of the year, and older classes are already assessing how students are performing. Your hard work as an educator is showing the first signs of progress.

Now is a good time for educators to check in on their wellbeing. Here are a few things to think about (and assess if necessary) to see if you need to make some adjustments so you can continue to feel invigorated and satisfied in the work you do here.

Build Resilience (in Yourself!)
At any given moment, our students are challenging us in different ways. These moments offer us opportunities to cultivate resilience (Read, "Why it is importance for Teachers to Cultivate Resilience"). Use this survey to do a quick assessment of your own resilience. If you want some ideas to build your own resilience, check out this article "12 Ways Teachers Can Build Resilience."

Know Your Strengths
You may be practicing positive psychology in your classroom already. This work focuses on using character strengths to develop a foundation for self-awareness and confidence. Take a survey to learn about your own strengths and what that means for your personal happiness and wellbeing.

Balance Your Work
Understand if your work-life balance is sustainable. Read this article to learn more about the importance of work-life balance. And here is a quick survey to answer "How strong is your work/life balance?"

After you have investigated one of these areas, share your results with a friend or colleague. If you think you need support in changing something, know that you are not alone. I would be happy to just listen, or help you find ways to plan a change.

Fall19 Castleton Course: Self Care for Teachers

Castleton State University is offering a course: "Self Care for Teachers: Transform Your Self and Classroom."
Participants will develop a thorough plan for personal self care that will focus on balancing their daily work and personal lives. The course is designed so learners can create their own learning outcomes within the realm of self care. They will be coached by the instructor in the areas of nutrition, sleep habits, movement, communication, mindfulness, habit change and stress reduction. Click here for more information.

Course Number:  EDU 5515 C29

Instructor: Rebecca Day

Location: Online using Google Classroom and Zoom Videoconferencing

Dates and Times: Monday, October 21, 2019 - Friday, January 25, 2020. Note: No classes during Thanksgiving & Christmas breaks.

Credits: 3 graduate credits

Tuition: $975

Healthy Life Survey = 60 PATHpoints in October!

Starting October 1, the Healthy Life Survey will be open on PATH to give you an opportunity to assess your health using VEHI's personalized survey. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. When you have finished, you can see your results which highlight where your wellness is going well, and note areas you may want to improve. You will also receive 50 PATHpoints! And, if you finish by October 31, you will receive and additional 10 points (that's 60 points toward the 200 needed for an LL Bean gift card!)

Clothing Giveaway Event: Two Dates!

Annual Clothing Drive & Giveaway

The 4th Annual Clothing Drive and Clothing Giveaway event is moving back to the Winooski school district this year. 

Clothing Drive

From October 1st to November 15th, we will be accepting clean, gently used clothing items to be given back to Winooski children and families. Specifically, warm, winter clothing and gear is needed for ages infant to 18 years old, including winter boots, jackets, hats, mittens and snow pants.

Do not donate accessories (like ties or purses), evening wear, lingerie, or costumes. We also are not accepting toys or household items. We will accept undergarments and socks only if they are new and still in their original packaging. 

Please sort, bag and label your donations by size. Donations can brought to the Winooski school district (60 Normand Street, Winooski) from 7:30am to 4:00pm on Monday through Friday. Bring your donations inside the lobby and put them in the bin provided.

Clothing Giveaway Event

There will be two dates to get clothing and gear for your family this year. On Thursday, October 24, and again on Thursday, November 21, the Winooski school cafeteria will be open from 1:00pm to 6:00pm for families and community members to come and get clothing for free. A limited amount of shopping bags will be available while they last, so remember to bring your own bag to this event.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer: 10 PATHpoints

Join your colleagues in raising awareness:
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
October 13, 2019

Participants will be eligible to receive 10 PATHpoints!

Kari Rittenburg said it best, "Our JFK community has been impacted by this disease several times in the past few years and I thought it would be nice to get out and support our colleagues."

This wellness activity is open to ALL Winooski School District employees, regardless of which school you work in. 

"How can I join?"
Making Strides is a fundraiser and awareness campaign promoted by the American Cancer Society.
On October 13, 2019, the Northern Vermont chapter is hosting its annual event at Veterans Memorial Park, Dorset Street, South Burlington. Click here for Event Details.

If you want to join a team and help raise money and awareness, go to the website to create an account and join the JFK Elementary team. You do NOT need to be a JFK staff member to join, it is open to all Winooski School District employees.

"How can I get PATHpoints?"
To earn your points, you must actually walk or run the event with your colleagues. Sign up here to express your interest.
As we get closer to the event, we will communicate a meeting point and check in person. If you are not signing up for the JFK Elementary team, you will need to check in with them to earn your PATHpoints.

"How can I take care of myself?"
Breast cancer can impact anyone, regardless of gender or age. Mammograms can detect breast cancer before it's even felt. Talk to your doctor about scheduling a mammogram for yourself today.

SoulShine Yoga Retreat

Yoga with Lucy D'Aponte

Yoga with Lucy D'Aponte is back!

There are two series scheduled, each with 5 sessions.

Yoga w/ Lucy D'Aponte

Thursdays

3:30pm - 4:30pm in the iLab

Series 1: September 26, October 3, 10, 17 & 31
Series 2: November 7 & 14, December 5, 12 & 19

$45 for each 5-week series, to be paid on first day of series.
$10 drop in fee

Sign up here for Series 1

Sign up here for Series 2

Earn 25 PATHpoints: Visit your Doctor or Dentist

It is very easy to earn PATHpoints. 
Do you visit the dentist at least once a year? Do you visit your primary care for a routine check up? Either of these office visits can earn you 25 points EACH. If you do both, you will earn 50 PATHpoints!

Know Your Numbers 

Visit your health care provider to have a routine checkup and learn what your current health status means. Complete the Know Your Numbers form, have it signed by your provider and give it to your building's wellness leader by June 1st. 

Show Your Smile 

Visit your dental provider to have a routine checkup. Complete the Show Your Smile form, have it signed by your dental provider and give it to your building's wellness leader by June 1st. 

A list of building Wellness Leaders can be found on this blog post.

Other ways you can earn PATHpoints is found on the VEHI flyer.

Apple Picking!

New school year! Start your PATH to Wellness now

The start of a new school year is a good time to refocus (or start focusing) on your health and wellbeing. VEHI offers a Planned Action Towards Health (PATH) program that can help you find activities and services to fit your wellness goals to enhance or maintain a healthy lifestyle. AND...you can earn points toward a $100 gift card to LL Bean!

Each school has a wellness leader who can help you learn about and navigate these programs and help you earn points. Building Wellness Leaders for the 2019-20 are

• JFK - Nan Johnson
• WHS - Becky Savage
• Central office - Angela Moulton
• WMS - Laura Graves

What programs are available?
(Click here for the VEHI flyer) 

These programs are available right now to begin setting goals, or addressing your health needs

• Peer Coaching Course
• Progress Health Coaching
• Safety Puzzlers
• Self-Paced Adventures
• Invest EAP
• Keeping Fit
• Blue Health Solutions (VEHI subscribers only)

Programs coming soon

• Healthy Life Survey - opens October 1st
• Annual Adventure Registration - opens November 1st

What to see your building leader about

• Know Your Numbers
• Show Your Smile
• Building Leader Events

To access the VEHI PATH program, go to https://secure.tomypath.com/vehi/

1. If you have a log in ID and can not remember your password, click on "Forgot my Password" to the right of the page.
2. If you can not remember your ID, contact Jaycie Puttlitz to see if you have an account with Winooski.
3. If you are transferring from another school, contact info@ToMyPath.com and let them know your ID and which school you are transferring FROM and which school you are transferring TO.
4. If you don't have an account,  scroll down to "New to Program?", select the Winooski SD organization, and begin your registration.

Instant Pot Recipes

During Wellness Day, staff learned about cooking with the Instant Pot (pressure cooker) and shared recipes.

If you have any Instant Pot recipes to share, or want to try some ideas, use this Google Folder.