Commit to Be Fit Newsletter

26 May 2023/ Issue No. 248

On May 23rd, RCPS staff enjoyed shopping at the biannual Commit to Be Fit Staff Farmers Market. Held beside the Auxiliary Gym, attendees visited with local farmers and purchased produce, herbs, meat, jams/jellies, honey, strawberries, baked goods, and more!

Thank you to all the participating farmers: Thornton River Orchard & Market, Jenkins Fruit Stand, Piedmont Permaculture, Peak View Gardens Farm, Gardens of Khmet, Jackalope Ridge Bakehouse and Microfarm, Walker Bakeshop LLC, Bean Hollow Grassfed and Rucker Farm LLC.

During the spring semester, we challenged the RCPS staff to earn the Governor's Physical Activity Award. Announced by Governor Glenn Youngkin, partnership with the VDOE, the program offers structure and incentive for all school personnel to successfully carry out a schedule of consistent physical activity for 16 weeks.

Award Criteria

Platinum- 50 minutes of movement five days a week and muscle strengthening activities for at least two days a week

Gold- 50 minutes of movement five days a week

Silver- 50 minutes of movement four days a week

Bronze- 50 minutes of movement three days a week

Congratulations to our Award Recipients!

Platinum: Katherine Todd, Amy Grady, Kayla Midkiff, Jackie Tederick, and Jermey Gates

Gold: John Weise, Lee Bernstein, Cecilia Lopiano, and Michael Tupper

Bronze: Lisa Gates, Natasha White, and Carlos Seward

The official certificates will be coming shortly!

We are challenging you to be more active and have lots of fun this summer. This summer challenge is open to the entire Rappahannock community (all ages) and runs from June 1- July 31st. CLICK HERE for details, prizes, and a printable scorecard.

This info is also available on our website at www.rappc2bf.com/summer-challenge

Be sure to turn in your May Challenge points by June 5th! CLICK HERE to view our challenge page and enter the prize drawing.

Commit to Be Fit invites you to participate in this short, anonymous survey to help us identify ways to strengthen our community offerings for the upcoming school year. Your feedback is very valuable to us. We greatly appreciate your input.

CLICK HERE to begin this anonymous survey.

Exciting News—POP Bucks are back! Through a PATH Foundation grant, Commit to Be Fit is excited to continue the POP (Power of Produce) Bucks program to provide access to local food and support our local 2023 Farmers Market season. EVERY Rappahannock County Public Schools student has the opportunity to redeem a POP Bucks Market Bag, which will include local produce, protein, bread, and more! Plus, NEW THIS YEAR, every student picking up a market bag will be given two $5 tokens to redeem for additional items at participating market vendors. To learn more and/or to sign-up for your appointment date (REQUIRED), visit https://www.rappc2bf.com/pop-bucks

*Once the sign-up is full for the upcoming weekend, the link will close. Be sure to check back each week for availability.

When it comes to fitness, variety is beneficial for both our bodies and minds. C2BF is excited to launch the Summer of Fun 2023 Challenge which offers over 50 activities (biking, frisbee, paddle boarding, rock climbing, swimming, tubing, and so much more) to keep you moving and having fun. During the months of June and July, see how many different activities you can do! Be sure to recruit your friends, spouse, parents, and/or kids and get ready for a fun-filled summer of adventure.

Summer is just about the best time of the year when it comes to fresh, in season fruits and vegetables. Blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, peaches and zucchini are just some of the fresh produce right now that are seasonal and most flavorful. Our harvest of the month for May is strawberries which just so happens to currently be in PEAK season. Strawberries are as sweet as they’re going to get these next couple months and are a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Not only is seasonal produce riper and flavorful, they also provide a higher and more natural source of nutrients because they don’t endure lengthy transportation times from farm to kitchen. Whatever fruit or vegetable is your favorite, make sure you snag some while you can. They are only available for a short amount of time!

This summer, try to take advantage of all the fresh, local produce in Rappahannock and surrounding counties. Spend a day at Messick’s Farm (Bealeton, VA) picking strawberries or support our local farmers by visiting the Rappahannock Farmers Market held every Saturday during the summer months. But most importantly, I hope you take the time to have a relaxing and FUN summer!

Here is a Memorial Day treat to eat this weekend!

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE