Awareness with John Grimm

John Grimm from Centerpoint spoke to the Middle School teachers during preservice about how we can stay present, effective and healthy in the work we do. He calls this "Awareness," or, where we pay attention to how we experience the work. The Awareness presentation is available here.

During a follow up session, it was suggested that if teachers can't take a lot of time to formally discuss or check in on their Awareness, that it might be easier--and just as beneficial--to take moments in meetings to do an awareness check. Especially in meetings where you may feel emotionally charged or drained.

John wrote:
For the potential prompts, I think one basic approach can be something along the lines of making a statement “Let’s do an awareness check.”  Followed up with a question like:

“What has been our internal experience (thoughts, feelings, etc) within our relationship with this particular student (or group of students)?  

How does this inform our understanding of their needs and abilities?  

How does it inform us/ me about my understanding of our/ my needs and abilities right now?  

How does it inform our understanding of the effectiveness of our/ my current plan/ intention?”
In doing these kind of awareness checks, I have found that often when folks are experiencing strong emotions/ thoughts and are not clear how it informs understanding or plan,  it may be a sign of a loss of perspective which is indicative of a need for more clarity within the Awareness realm before being able to effectively move forward with effective interventions. 

Other Resources around the concepts of self-care and awareness:

• Essay: Heart of a Teacher--Identity and Integrity in Teaching
• Audio: "The Rest Step" from NPR's I Believe segment
• Article: Getting Unhooked--Connecting with Traumatized Kids Who Push Your Buttons
• Article: The Five Myths of Self-Compassion

Yoga Classes Oct-Dec 2018

TUESDAYS
Vinyasa Yoga with Stephanie Steeves

This 8-week series starts October 23. 

Dates: Oct. 23 & 30, Nov. 6, 13 & 27, Dec. 4, 11 & 18
Tuesdays from 3:20pm-4:20pm

Location: iLab
Cost: $65 for the 8 week series, to be paid at first class.
Drop in: if you can't commit to the series, you may drop in on a class for $10 each.
Add your name to the Tuesday Vinyasa Yoga sign up CLICK HERE.

Vinyasa means “connection breath and movement.” This style of yoga will have you moving and flowing between poses with special attention to breathing. This class will be mixed levels, with options to make your yoga practice as challenging or relaxing as you'd like. 

Wear loos clothing, bring your own yoga mat, and props (blocks, bolster) if desired.

Women's Wellness Retreat

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-wellness-retreat-tickets-50282361898

2018 Clothing Drive

This year, WSD is partnering with the Winooski Memorial Library and the Winooski Family Center for the 3rd Annual Clothing Drive and Giveaway Event.

Starting today, October 1, through Monday, November 5, the partners will begin accepting clean, gently used clothing to be given away to Winooski children and families later in November.

Donations should be dropped off at the Winooski Memorial Library (32 Malletts Bay Ave.), during Library hours.

Tues.-Fri. 10am-6:30pm

Sat. 10am-2pm

Sun. & Mon. Closed

Specifically, we are looking for school-appropriate clothing and winter gear for ages infant to 18 years old--including winter boots, jackets, hats, mittens and snowpants. Please do not donate accessories, evening wear, lingerie or costumes. We also are NOT accepting toys, books or household items. We will accept undergarments and socks if they are new and still in original packaging.

For Winooski Staff Only: If a staff member has a few items that they would like to donate I am happy to help get donations to the Library. Limit your donations to me to one (1) small bag. If you have more than one bag, please drive to the Library after school and during Library hours to drop off your donations.

Please advise families or non-school individuals who would like to donate to bring donations to the Winooski Library. If you know an organization that would like to donate clothing, funds or volunteers towards the effort, you may give them my contact information (see footer). Please do NOT advise people to bring their donations to the school--we are directing everyone to the Library this year.

More information about the Clothing Giveaway Event, distribution of winter outerwear, and other student-specific needs will come out shortly. If you have any questions or comments to assist in this effort please email or call me.

Thank you for your continued support!

Plan your Wellness and earn a $100 LL Bean gift card

A new school year is an opportunity to start a new commitment to taking care of yourself. VEHI PATH has many programs to help you begin or maintain a wellness plan. And you can earn points toward a $100 LL Bean card!
Here is a list of programs available to you.

If you have questions, contact your building wellness leader:

Angela Moulton (CO)
Nan Johnson (JFK)
Andi Thibodeau (WMS)
Becky Savage (WHS)

BONUS! If you DID earn a LL Bean card last year, you can get an additional 10% off of your order by clicking here.

UVM Pottery Summer Classes

Invest EAP Spring 2018

Attached is the latest quarterly newsletter from INVEST EAP, your employee assistance program.  This quarter, it focuses on counseling and how counseling can help you through even the normal, everyday stress that you can feel.

INVEST EAP offers comprehensive, customized employee assistance services that promote the health and well-being of employees and the organization they serve. It provides confidential personalized counseling, organizational and management consultation, training and resource information in a prompt and professional manner.

To find out more about Invest EAP, visit their website: www.investeap.org (password: vsbit) or call their toll free number:  1-800-287-2173.

PATH participants who take advantage of EAP's services can earn 50 PATHpoints.  Be sure to ask INVEST for a voucher number once you have used their service.  Enter that voucher number in your PATH account, under "Redeem My PATHpoints Voucher" (yellow box on the right at the bottom of your PATH account dashboard).

Click here to access the InvestEAP Newsleter.

Tabata for Employees

After the fun they had on Wellness Day, Hilary's Tabata class participants are interested having a Tabata class onsite after school. And Hilary is offering to teach for free! 

Tabata is a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) activity that alternates eight, 20-second rounds of a strength exercise and a cardio. Participants should bring their own yoga mat and weights. If you do not have weights, there are a few limited available for you to use. You may borrow steps/risers from the MS classrooms, provided that you return the equipment after each class. 

Classes will be held in Room 101 on Fridays from 3:20pm - 4:20pm. First session dates are 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13. Note that 4/13 is Parent/Teacher Conferences and we may need to find another room. 

If you are interested in participating in Tabata with Hilary, write your name on the sign up sheet here. We need to know how many are interested to ensure there is enough space.

Sign up for Spring Yoga classes

We are AGAIN hosting two separate yoga classes this spring to meet employee requests. 

MONDAYS
Vinyasa Yoga with Stephanie Steeves

This 6-week series starts March 12. 

Dates: 3/12, 3/12, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9 & 4/26
Mondays from 3:20pm-4:20pm

Location: HS room 214 (Vicki's classroom)
Cost: $60 for the 6 week series, to be paid at first class.

(If cost is an issue, Steph will work with you on a lower fee)
Add your name to the Monday Vinyasa Yoga sign up CLICK HERE.

THURSDAYS
Gentle Yoga with Cat Earisman
This 5-week series starts March 15. 

Dates: 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, & 4/19 - No class April 12

Thursdays from 3:20pm-4:20pm
Location: iLab
Cost: $50 for the 5 week series, to be paid at first class.
Add your name to the Thursday Gentle Yoga sign up CLICK HERE.

Vinyasa means “connection breath and movement.” This style of yoga will have you moving and flowing between poses with special attention to breathing. This class will be mixed levels, with options to make your yoga practice as challenging or relaxing as you'd like. 

Gentle yoga will be a slow style of yoga, with more time spent in poses.

For both classes, you should bring your own yoga mat and props (blocks, bolster) if desired.

SIGN UP FOR 2018 Wellness Day Activities

Click on the SignUpGenius link below to sign up for the activities or workshops you want to do on Wellness Day, March 6, 2018.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f084fa5aa23a7fd0-2018

• You may sign up for one activity in each time slot. 

• Some activities have a limited number of participants so reservations are first come, first reserved.

• Double check what TIME you are choosing an activity. I will delete duplicates so others have a chance to sign up for activities.

• Click here for workshop/activity descriptions (Google spreadsheet).

Please make sure that you click on the black button: "Submit and Sign Up" at the bottom of the survey to capture your responses and reserve your slot. 

You should receive an email shortly after. If you do not receive a confirmation, you should check this sign up form to ensure your choices were captured.

Please sign up by February 23rd so I may post up-to-date lists on Wellness Day.