Welcome to the Colchester School District Wellness Website!
We want to make a difference in improving the health and happiness of our students and employees. People in Colchester live a good life!
The Colchester Wellness website has health and wellness resources for students, staff and community members! From this location you can navigate to a variety of information that will help you bring wellness into your life. For more information, hover your curser over the above drop-down menu.
You can find additional reports about the Wellness Program on the CSD Spotlight Blog at http://csdspotlight.org/category/wellness/.
WELLNESS NEWS FEED
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2011-2012 Wellness Report
Check out all of the exciting student and staff wellness initiatives in our 2011-2012 Wellness Report below!
Hover over the image and click "Play" to see the full report or click on the thumbnails below to see individual slides.
Posted 5/31/12
Hover over the image and click "Play" to see the full report or click on the thumbnails below to see individual slides.
Posted 5/31/12
posted 4/30/12
National Recognition, School Employee Wellness Award Winners!
Colchester School District has been recognized as the 2011-2012 Silver School Employee Wellness Program winners by the Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE www.dhpe.org), a membership association of high level professionals from public health departments.
As a Silver winner, they will:
School employee health is one area that DHPE focuses its work on with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Follow this link to read the CSD Spotlight article about our award! http://csdspotlight.org/2012/03/26/csd-wellness-program-wins-national-award-and-grant/
Click on the pdf below to download a copy of the press release.
As a Silver winner, they will:
- Receive a $500 grant to use for their School Employee Wellness program from DHPE
- Receive a banner recognizing their achievement to proudly display
- Be featured on DHPE's school employee wellness website, and
- Be invited to National Conferences to make presentations about their successful School Employee Wellness program.
School employee health is one area that DHPE focuses its work on with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Follow this link to read the CSD Spotlight article about our award! http://csdspotlight.org/2012/03/26/csd-wellness-program-wins-national-award-and-grant/
Click on the pdf below to download a copy of the press release.
sew_dhepcolchester_-_press_release1.pdf | |
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posted 4/5/12
5 A Day the Color Way Week, April 9-13!
The Colchester School District’s award-winning wellness committee will host the 5 a Day the Color Way campaign in collaboration with Steve Davis and the district’s food service department. This year’s campaign will run the week of April 9–13 and the campaign will also kick off the district’s brand-new smoothie bar!
The smoothie bar was provided in part through grant funds from Fuel Up to Play 60, which is a program sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League designed to celebrate good nutrition and school health.
During 5 a Day the Color Way Week, each day of the week has a color theme, and the schools’ menus will highlight the color of the day throughout the week. Free samples of all colorful fruits and veggies will be available for everyone—even those not taking school lunches.
The color-of-the-day schedule—as well as the smoothie bar schedule:
Monday, April 9 = red; the smoothie bar will visit Union Memorial School
Tuesday, April 10 = yellow; the smoothie bar will visit Malletts Bay School
Wednesday, April 11 = white; the smoothie bar will visit Colchester Middle School
Thursday, April 12 = green; the smoothie bar will visit Porters Point School
Friday, April 13 = purple; the smoothie bar will visit Colchester High School
Download copies of the winning Smoothie Recipes below!
The smoothie bar was provided in part through grant funds from Fuel Up to Play 60, which is a program sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League designed to celebrate good nutrition and school health.
During 5 a Day the Color Way Week, each day of the week has a color theme, and the schools’ menus will highlight the color of the day throughout the week. Free samples of all colorful fruits and veggies will be available for everyone—even those not taking school lunches.
The color-of-the-day schedule—as well as the smoothie bar schedule:
Monday, April 9 = red; the smoothie bar will visit Union Memorial School
Tuesday, April 10 = yellow; the smoothie bar will visit Malletts Bay School
Wednesday, April 11 = white; the smoothie bar will visit Colchester Middle School
Thursday, April 12 = green; the smoothie bar will visit Porters Point School
Friday, April 13 = purple; the smoothie bar will visit Colchester High School
Download copies of the winning Smoothie Recipes below!
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posted 3/27/12
Summer Farm Share through the Intervale
Take a look at the attached flyer or visit the Intervale Food Hub website for share information and pricing.
http://www.intervalefoodhub.com/ourmarkets/summer
CSD will not be a summer share drop off site but if you wish to purchase a summer farm share you can find a site closest to you.
Click on the pdf below to download a flyer with more information.
http://www.intervalefoodhub.com/ourmarkets/summer
CSD will not be a summer share drop off site but if you wish to purchase a summer farm share you can find a site closest to you.
Click on the pdf below to download a flyer with more information.
2012_summer_share_flyer1.pdf | |
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posted 3.13.12
Be Calm.
Join us for a workshop on mindfulness
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non –judgmentally.” Jon Kabat- Zinn
Mindfulness Workshop: gentle, restorative yoga and breathing techniques for a relaxed and resilient body and mind
Who: District Staff and Colchester Community Members (ages 18+)
What: Free Mindfulness Workshop
Where: CHS Library
When: Wednesday March 28th 3:30-4:45pm
RSVP: E-mail Connie Gavin at [email protected] by Monday March 26th if you wish to participate!
Goals:
∞ To have an enjoyable break at the end of the work day!
∞ To decrease the stress response and increase relaxation response
∞ To increase the capacity to be more grounded and at ease with the stressors of a busy classroom
∞ To teach simple and gentle yoga postures and breathing practices that teachers can use throughout your day
∞ To experience the meaning and benefit of mindfulness
Class content:
· Define Mindfulness: mindfulness experiment
· Guided Yoga: 6-movements of the spine both sitting and standing.
(This is a series that could be used in the classroom or other work setting for 10 minute yoga breaks)
· Restorative Yoga Pose- to foster deeper relaxation in the body and invite rest
· Yoga Breathing Techniques that can be done throughout the day and on the spot.
Sun breath- a simple breath and movement practice that helps energize and relax the body.
Three-part yogic breath: helps center and calm the mind and restore the relaxation response.
Letting Go Breath: A first –aid tool to stressful moments.
· Participants: open to all bodies and levels of experience
Workshop Notes:
· Workshop length: 75 minutes / 3:30-4:45pm
RSVP: E-mail Connie Gavin at [email protected] by Monday March 26th if you wish to participate!
Follow this link to read the Spotlight Article:
Click on the mindfulness_poster document below to download and print a copy of the flyer.
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non –judgmentally.” Jon Kabat- Zinn
Mindfulness Workshop: gentle, restorative yoga and breathing techniques for a relaxed and resilient body and mind
Who: District Staff and Colchester Community Members (ages 18+)
What: Free Mindfulness Workshop
Where: CHS Library
When: Wednesday March 28th 3:30-4:45pm
RSVP: E-mail Connie Gavin at [email protected] by Monday March 26th if you wish to participate!
Goals:
∞ To have an enjoyable break at the end of the work day!
∞ To decrease the stress response and increase relaxation response
∞ To increase the capacity to be more grounded and at ease with the stressors of a busy classroom
∞ To teach simple and gentle yoga postures and breathing practices that teachers can use throughout your day
∞ To experience the meaning and benefit of mindfulness
Class content:
· Define Mindfulness: mindfulness experiment
· Guided Yoga: 6-movements of the spine both sitting and standing.
(This is a series that could be used in the classroom or other work setting for 10 minute yoga breaks)
· Restorative Yoga Pose- to foster deeper relaxation in the body and invite rest
· Yoga Breathing Techniques that can be done throughout the day and on the spot.
Sun breath- a simple breath and movement practice that helps energize and relax the body.
Three-part yogic breath: helps center and calm the mind and restore the relaxation response.
Letting Go Breath: A first –aid tool to stressful moments.
· Participants: open to all bodies and levels of experience
Workshop Notes:
· Workshop length: 75 minutes / 3:30-4:45pm
- Participants will need to bring water and a large towel, blanket or yoga mat
- Teacher: Martha Whitney has been teaching yoga for over 20 years and has offered yoga workshops for the South Burlington Schools Wellness and Resilience Program. She creates a welcoming, safe, and fun environment to explore yoga. Students leave class feeling more comfortable, confident, and resilient.
RSVP: E-mail Connie Gavin at [email protected] by Monday March 26th if you wish to participate!
Follow this link to read the Spotlight Article:
Click on the mindfulness_poster document below to download and print a copy of the flyer.
mindfulness_poster.docx | |
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Mindfulness: Stress Management and Relaxation
STRESS; It can propel you into an energetic zone spurring on peak performance and well-being.
BUT, too much of it strains your heart, robs you of memory and mental clarity and raises the risk of chronic disease. The body tends to respond differently under harmful stress. Symptoms may feel similar to when you are angry. Blood vessels constrict, hands and feet may feel cold, the heart may beat in an erratic manner, your stomach may become upset, breathing becomes shallow, and you may speak more loudly and you experience lapses in judgment or logic. While individuals may vary in how long they can tolerate chronic stress, the research shows it sharply increases the risk of insomnia, chronic disease, and early death.
However there is good news, through research and science many stress reduction techniques have been proven to be effective with moderating stress. With the practice of new relaxation skills one can learn to relax within minutes.
Such techniques include optimism and thinking positively about stressors, deep abdominal breathing, mindfulness, or regulating one’s own mental and physical states with techniques such as biofeedback.
Many workplace wellness programs have begun coaching people to hit the optimal stress zone-with enough stress to be stimulating without taking a physical toll of their employees. The Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center teaches patients and doctors stress reduction, specifically the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program.
At the end of March our Colchester School District Wellness program will bring Martha Whitney to Colchester. Martha is a well-known instructor at Evolution Yoga and a mindfulness consultant/instructor to teachers in the South Burlington Wellness and Resiliency Project. She will present a sampler of relaxation techniques; Breathing, Restorative Yoga, and Mindfulness.
More details will be coming your about this important free workshop.
Contact District Wellness Coordinator, Connie Gavin at [email protected] if you would like more information.
posted 3/3/12
Smoothie Challenge!
This year's 5 A Day the Color Way campaign will kick off the district's brand new Smoothie Bar! The Smoothie Bar was purchased using a Fuel Up to Play 60 grant.
The Wellness Committee, in partnership with Nutrition and Food Services, is hosting a Smoothie Challenge! Submit your recipes for consideration by March 23rd.
One winning recipe will be selected from each school by a committee of volunteers.
The criteria is as follows:
ü No nuts
ü Must highlight the color assigned to that school for the day
ü Nutritious- low fat, low sugar, low salt, high vitamins and minerals
ü Include fruits and vegetables as well as other nutritious foods!
ü Affordable ingredients- commonly found in a grocery store
For more information or to submit a Smoothie Recipe, please email Wellness Coordinator, Connie Gavin at [email protected].
Check out the Spotlight Article: http://csdspotlight.org/2012/03/09/upcoming-nutrition-campaign-and-recipe-contest/
The Wellness Committee, in partnership with Nutrition and Food Services, is hosting a Smoothie Challenge! Submit your recipes for consideration by March 23rd.
One winning recipe will be selected from each school by a committee of volunteers.
The criteria is as follows:
ü No nuts
ü Must highlight the color assigned to that school for the day
ü Nutritious- low fat, low sugar, low salt, high vitamins and minerals
ü Include fruits and vegetables as well as other nutritious foods!
ü Affordable ingredients- commonly found in a grocery store
For more information or to submit a Smoothie Recipe, please email Wellness Coordinator, Connie Gavin at [email protected].
Check out the Spotlight Article: http://csdspotlight.org/2012/03/09/upcoming-nutrition-campaign-and-recipe-contest/
Healthier Living Workshop
If you or someone you know is living with a chronic health condition, this free series of workshops may help! Learn tools to help manage symptoms such as frustration, pain, and fatigue so you can live a better life!
Fletcher Allen and Colchester Parks and Recreation are partnering to offer this series!
Colchester Senior Center, Malletts Bay Ave, Colchester, VT
Thursdays March 1-April 5 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Call 847-2278 to register
Click on the Colchester Parks and Rec Workshop document below for more information.
colchester_parks_and_rec_workshops.pdf | |
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Spring Shares are CLOSED!
Staff, sign up for your Spring CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Farm Shares through the Intervale!
SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 15th!
Please follow the directions below in order to sign up for your spring shares:
Shares start February 27th and run through the week of May 21st, a 13 week season.
Pick up your share Wednesdays at Colchester Middle School between 1:45-4:30pm.
Download the 2012 Spring CSA Shares document below for more information about share options.
SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 15th!
Please follow the directions below in order to sign up for your spring shares:
- Visit www.intervalefoodhub.com
- Click on the ‘Member Sign-In’ button in the lower left hand corner of the home page and sign in to your account using your email and previously chosen password.
- Once you are in your account, you will see a smaller box on the right with the heading ‘Summary’. In this box you will see your: Next Distribution, Pick-up Site, Subscription (current winter subscription) and just below that (in blue) + Add Subscription.
- Click on + Add Subscription and you will see all of the spring share options. Select share(s) and continue through the process.
Shares start February 27th and run through the week of May 21st, a 13 week season.
Pick up your share Wednesdays at Colchester Middle School between 1:45-4:30pm.
Download the 2012 Spring CSA Shares document below for more information about share options.
2012_spring_csa_shares.pdf | |
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January 27th
As this year's 30 Day Wellness Challenge comes to a close we would like to thank everyone who supported the mission. There is certainly a district-wide commitment to wellness in Colchester. We look forward to planning future Wellness Challenges!
January 23rd- Staff Zumba and Yoga Classes to Start
Starting Monday January 23rd there will be fitness classes for staff.
Zumba will be Mondays 3:30-4:30 at Colchester Middle School (bring water)
Yoga will be Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 at Colchester High School (bring water and mat)
If you wish to attend the classes please email District Wellness Coordinator Connie Gavin at [email protected]
Zumba will be Mondays 3:30-4:30 at Colchester Middle School (bring water)
Yoga will be Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 at Colchester High School (bring water and mat)
If you wish to attend the classes please email District Wellness Coordinator Connie Gavin at [email protected]
January 23rd- FREE Advanced Directives Workshop
Join us at Porters Point School at 3:30 for a workshop with the Vermont Ethics Network to discuss how medical decision-making works in Vermont and to learn about the tools available to you to document your health care decisions in advance.
Unfortunately, illness, injury and accidents can happen at any time. How prepared are you?
E-mail District Wellness Coordinator Connie Gavin at [email protected] if you wish to attend.
Unfortunately, illness, injury and accidents can happen at any time. How prepared are you?
E-mail District Wellness Coordinator Connie Gavin at [email protected] if you wish to attend.
Join us this January 2012 for the first CSD 30 Day Wellness Challenge!
For specific information about STAFF offerings or STUDENT offerings, please hover over the *30 Day Wellness Challenge* link at the top of this page.
All students, staff, administrators, parents and community members are encouraged to join us in setting SMART Wellness Goals!
The 30 Day Wellness Challenge is a district wide wellness-awareness campaign, that includes students and staff, setting and monitoring wellness goals.
The 30 Day Wellness Challenge is a great community building activity with endless opportunities to share resources, model healthy behavior, discuss challenges and problem-solve together.
Wellness goals can focus on any aspect of health: physical, spiritual, mental, social or emotional health.
Please follow the the below link for a movie clip about the 30 Day Wellness Challenge organized by our neighbors in Milton, VT:
http://www.vehi.org/ >select Member> select Videos> scroll to the bottom and watch the videos.
Sample Wellness Goals:
Eat more colors
Stretch daily
Walk longer/farther
Run longer/farther
Bike longer/farther
Add a new physical activity
Cut out all sugar
Cut out caffiene
Switch to whole grain
Add a salad once a day
Eat more dairy
Cut out ½ hour of TV
Watch ½ hour news
Read for ½ hour
Listen to new music
Journal 15 minutes
Walk with a friend
Send a “thank you”/”thinking of you note”
Compliment once a day
Tell someone you love them once a day
Say “good morning” to at least three people
Drink 32 oz of water
Eat three servings of fruit every day
Click the link below for a 30 Day Wellness Challenge flyer!
30_day_wellness_challenge_overview.pub | |
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Go Vermont!
According to the American Public Health Association:
"State Rankings: Vermont Still on Top
For the fifth year in a row, Vermont is the nation’s healthiest state. States that showed the most substantial improvement include New York and New Jersey, both moving up six places, largely because of improvements made in smoking cessation. Idaho and Alaska showed the most downward movement. Idaho dropped 10 spots, from number nine to 19 in this year’s Rankings, and Alaska dropped five places."
To see the Rankings in full, visit: www.americashealthrankings.org.
"State Rankings: Vermont Still on Top
For the fifth year in a row, Vermont is the nation’s healthiest state. States that showed the most substantial improvement include New York and New Jersey, both moving up six places, largely because of improvements made in smoking cessation. Idaho and Alaska showed the most downward movement. Idaho dropped 10 spots, from number nine to 19 in this year’s Rankings, and Alaska dropped five places."
To see the Rankings in full, visit: www.americashealthrankings.org.
VTrim Weight Management Program and FREE Workshop
Dear CSD Staff,
We have two great wellness offerings for staff! One has a fee and the other is free!
1. The VTrim Program
For more information please go to www.vtrimonline.com OR hover over the Staff link above and select VTrim from the drop down.
We are working to coordinate a 12 week, online, VTrim weight loss group for CSD employees, friends and family members. The VTrim program is not a traditional diet, it focuses on lifestyle and behavioral change. The course will start in January. There is a limit to 20 people for this session. First come first serve but preference will be given to CSD staff.
If you are interested in learning more about the VTrim Program, please email Connie Gavin AND plan on attending the FREE workshop/ Question and Answer session listed below.
2. FREE Workshop: Pathways to Personal Wellness
On Wednesday December 7th, 3:30-4:30pm Dr. Stuart Offer of VTrim will meet us in CMS room 206 to provide us with this workshop:
Learn what it takes to achieve more energy, lower stress, manage your weight, get a better night sleep and reduce the risks of many chronic diseases! This dynamic and informative one-hour motivational program addresses how lifestyle choices affect your health and longevity. After attending this program you will understand the link between your lifestyle choices and the most common chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity and you will leave with strategies to improve your life! Dr. Stuart Offer is a great presenter and if you want to learn about staying healthy you don't want to miss this workshop! At the end of this workshop we will hold a Question/Answer session about the VTrim Weight Loss program.
Please email Connie Gavin if you wish to register for this workshop.
November 2011
Wellness is in the 2011-2016 CSD Vision/Strategic Plan!
Pathways through which our vision for the future will be accomplished, including:
* High Standards, Expectations, and Individual Engagement for All Learners
* Technology Infrastructure and Integration
* Learning Outside Our Four Walls
* Commitment to Effective Communication
* Parent, Community, and School Partnerships Among Lifelong Learners
* Wellness-Oriented, Balanced, and Healthy Learners
* Town + School = One Vision
To read the Spotlight article, click on the link http://csdspotlight.org/2011/11/28/csd-proudly-presents-highlights-of-the-visionstrategic-plan-for-2011-2016/ or click on the document below for more information.
strategic-plan.ppt | |
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November 2011
Velocity! A program for Middle School Boys offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Have you heard of Velocity? No? Well, allow us to share a little about how we believe the program can make a difference for the boys in your community. We believe that every boy deserves a chance to a healthy and active lifestyle. We believe that boys should experience personal success and develop close relationships in environments where everybody wins. We believe that combining alternative activities with relevant curriculum equals an unrivaled opportunity to help boys grow in new ways. Velocity challenges boys both physically and mentally and gets them to try new and unique activities. We also believe that with your help, Velocity can grow.
For more information you can visit the website at www.bcbsvt.com/velocity or find them on Facebook by searching Velocity Boys’ Program. If you wish to apply for the program, you can download the application from the website or call Velocity at (802)764-4831.
Program Manager
Sean McManus
Staff Wellness: PATH
Sign into your PATH to Wellness account and start earning points. Staff may complete the Healthy Life Survey (50 points = $50), use some of the other wonderful wellness features and complete the calendars (5 points each = $5 each)!
From November 7th to December 16th, staff may register for the PATH to Adventure.
Hover over the Staff link above and find the Path to Wellness link!
From November 7th to December 16th, staff may register for the PATH to Adventure.
Hover over the Staff link above and find the Path to Wellness link!
November 2011: Our First Staff CSA Delivery!
We had our first CSA delivery from the Interval! For more information, hover over Staff and clik on the CSA link.
Winter 2011 Community Hall Walking
CSD and Colchester Parks and Recreation are partnering to support a Community Hall Walking program. The November 1st Kick-Off was a success! Hover over the Community Member link above and find the Community Hall Walking link for registration, hours, hall walking maps and more!
9/2011 Wellness Team Helps the Victims of Hurricane Irene.
Spring 2011 Nutrition in the News!
Choose My Plate
Did you know that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated their Dietary Guidelines and changed the MyPyramid image to a plate? The new model, ChooseMyPlate.gov, reflects a greater proportion of plant based diet to guide Americans toward healthier food choices. For more information, click on the link below:
USDA Choose My Plate: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/index.html
USDA Choose My Plate: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/index.html