COMMUNITY WELLNESS IN THE WORKS

COMMUNITY WELLNESS IN THE WORKS is authored by Ms. Cailyn Gilvary, District SELect Leader, and Ms. Tiffany Steiner, Director of Intervention Services and Student Wellness.

The month of January is dedicated to exploring the mindset, 100% Accountable.

The 100% Accountable mindset is grounded in the power of YOU. YOU are responsible for your success and happiness. YOU can control your future through your actions, decisions, and plans. When YOU recognize that the past cannot stop YOU from achieving goals, YOU choose your life in the present and future. 100% Accountable teaches the value of analyzing existing limiting beliefs, focusing on breaking down barriers, freeing our minds, and focusing our energy toward goals.

The 4 critical components of 100% Accountable

• Own Your Life
• Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
• Focus Your Energy
• Grow Through Life

Storytelling has come a long way from its humble beginnings around the campfire. Today’s children’s literature continues this tradition, using stories to teach, share, and deepen connections among readers. If you’re seeking a creative way to bond as a family, consider pairing a beloved children’s book with a comforting meal, like a warm soup. Enjoying a cozy bowl while reading can create lasting memories and strengthen your family’s ties!

Assistant SUPErintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Mrs. Jennifer McCann is partnering with Mr. Joe Piddington, District Food Service Manager, to offer their version of Chicken SUPE for the Soul.

What a great way to explore a new book and make dinner together as a family! ENJOY!

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE MEATBALLS

• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¾ lb 85 or 90% lean ground beef
• ½ lb sweet or hot Italian sausage, removed from the casings
• ½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• ⅓ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• ¼ teaspoon salt

FOR THE SOUP

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 6 cups high-quality chicken broth, such as Swanson (do not use low-sodium)
• 2 cups high-quality beef broth, such as Swanson (do not use low-sodium)
• 2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper (okay to use black pepper)
• 1 cup small pasta such as dittalini
• 4 oz fresh spinach, stems trimmed and roughly chopped (once prepped, you should have about 3 packed cups)
• Parmigiano Reggiano, for serving

Method:

• Make the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set an oven-proof roasting rack over top. Spray the rack generously with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg with the chives, sage and garlic. Add the remaining meatball ingredients and mash with your hands until evenly combined. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls, about 1 inch in diameter (it will make approximately 50 meatballs), and place on the prepared rack. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, start the soup. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onions, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes. Add the chicken broth, beef broth, water, bay leaf, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, uncovered, at a gentle boil until the pasta is al dente, 8 to 10 minutes (or according to package directions). Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Reduce the heat to low and add the spinach and meatballs. Simmer for a few minutes, until the spinach is wilted and the meatballs are warmed through. Ladle into bowls and serve with grated Parmigiano Reggiano.

WHS Guitar Ensemble led by the talented, Mr. Bryant, cultivates a sense of community between younger and older students. Members of the ensemble create a fun, lunchtime sing-along experience while modeling their commitment to hard work! Their talent inspires our younger students to focus their energy on activities that bring JOY to everyone! Way to go WHS!

WIS students discuss accountability and connection through a lesson on building a Dream Team. Students identify members of their dream team, recognize the roles these individuals play in their lives, and reflect on how to improve and grow these relationships! What a way to celebrate and take responsibility for those special people in their lives.

Central's Little Knights in 1st grade proudly showcase their Buddy Bench lesson with Ms. Ormsbee and Ms. Crepeau! Learning about friendship and accountability, 1st graders present a plan to hold each child accountable on the playground through a Buddy Bench. The lesson, a collaboration with Central's Mindset Mentors and 3rd-5th graders who participated in the Wellness Webinar, reinforced two mindsets, student leadership, and technology. Great job, Team Crepeau and Ormsbee!

The WB Bear Cubs practice Hot Chocolate Breathing. Hot Chocolate Breathing is a fun and relaxing breathing exercise, especially helpful for calming oneself and mindfulness. Great job incorporating a tasty treat into a healthy 100% Accountability strategy, Mrs. Eastmond!

Wall Primary students celebrate the spirit of giving, connection, and honoring those in their lives. A holiday gift shop provides our little ones with the ability to SURPRISE a loved one with a holiday gift.

Staying warm in winter is crucial not only for comfort but also for maintaining overall health. Cold weather can strain the body, but with the right approach, you can stay cozy and healthy all season long.

• Layer Up: Wear moisture-wicking base layers, insulating layers like fleece, and a weather-resistant outer layer.
• Keep Active: Regular activity like walking, skiing, or indoor workouts boosts circulation and keeps you warm.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink water, herbal teas, or warm liquids to stay hydrated in dry, cold air.
• Eat Nutritious, Warm Foods: Enjoy soups and stews for warmth and immune-boosting nutrients.
• Keep Your Home Warm: Use blankets, heaters, and draft blockers to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
• Moisturize: Regularly use moisturizers to prevent dry, irritated skin.
• Get Sunlight: Spend time outside in the daylight or use light therapy to boost mood and vitamin D.

Use this link to the Nursing and Health Services district webpage to learn more about staying healthy!

Meditation is beneficial for both mental and physical health, helping to reduce stress, improve focus, and promote emotional well-being. It activates the body’s relaxation response, lowering stress hormones and boosting mood. By incorporating meditation into daily life, practitioners enhance concentration, brain health, and sleep quality while managing anxiety.

So how do you get started? Try one of the meditation apps below for just 10 minutes a day and unveil a happier YOU for 2025!

• Calm – Limited free version with meditations, music, sleep aids, and breathing exercises. Available in multiple languages. On Apple Store and Google Play.
• Happier – Limited free trial offering easy-to-follow meditations for beginners with short sessions. On Apple Store and Google Play.
• Insight Timer – Free access to 60,000 meditations and music tracks, plus a timer for advanced practice. Available in several languages. On Apple Store and Google Play.
• Smiling Mind – Guided meditations for children, including short and fun activities like The Bubble Journey. On Apple Store and Google Play.
• Healthy Minds Program – Meditation training and podcasts focused on well-being. On Apple Store and Google Play.
• 10% Happier – Free access for certain workers, with guided meditations available through the 10% Happier podcast. English only. On Apple Store and Google Play.

New Year’s resolutions can be a time for personal growth, and for those struggling with sustance abuse or mental health challenges, it’s an opportunity to seek support and make positive changes. If you're planning to focus on mental health or substance use recovery, here are helpful resources and hotlines to get started:

Tech wellness refers to the practice of maintaining a healthy relationship with technology by using it mindfully and intentionally. It involves setting boundaries to prevent technology from negatively impacting mental and physical health. This can include managing screen time, creating digital habits that promote well-being, and ensuring privacy and safety in the digital world. Tech wellness encourages balance by promoting productivity, improving sleep, reducing stress, and fostering healthier connections, both online and offline. Ultimately, it helps individuals lead a more fulfilling and mindful life while navigating the digital age.

People are using technology to promote health and wellness because it provides accessible, convenient, and personalized solutions to improve physical and mental well-being. Below are some practices that are trending right now:

• Wearables: Devices that track health metrics like steps, heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep patterns, helping individuals monitor their wellness.
• Mental Health Apps: Mobile apps provide guided meditation, mindfulness practices, and mental health support, helping reduce stress and improve focus. They complement, but don't replace in-person counseling.
• Telehealth: Remote healthcare services offer a more convenient and affordable option for medical consultations, boosted by the pandemic.
• AI: Artificial intelligence transforms health and wellness technology, enhancing personalized care and health insights.
• Digital Detoxing: To reduce stress and tech-related health impacts, many are embracing digital detoxes to boost overall wellness.
• Workplace Wellness Platforms: The most successful companies are turning to comprehensive wellness partners to create a holistic platform for employee wellbeing, often in the shape of a modern Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These EAPs offer services that support employees around the clock in every dimension of their health and wellness, including anxiety, addiction, work-life balance, legal issues, and much more.

Individual resolutions can be hard to stick to, especially when you're focused on others. This year, try making family resolutions instead! They can be fun, easy, and benefit everyone in the household.

1. Get Unplugged: Set aside one gadget-free day a month (or week) to enjoy outdoor activities or board games together.
2. Eat Well and Exercise: Encourage healthy habits by making family fitness fun—try a snowman-building race, an indoor dance party, or a walk after dinner.
3. Read More: Make this the year your family becomes bookworms. Visit the library and read together regularly.
4. Do Chores: Use a chore jar where kids pick a task like taking out the trash each week.
5. Be Good to Others: Show kindness by complimenting each other and being compassionate, and consider volunteering as a family.

As the winter season continues,

families may face various challenges.

If your family requires assistance,

please contact the school counselor or nurse.

Finding Stability:

If your family is experiencing economic challenges or homelessness, visit the McKinney Vento webpage for essential information and guidance on available resources.

District Homeless Education Liaison

Tiffany Steiner
tsteiner@wallpublicschools.org
732.556.2647