Health & Wellness

The movement of Random Acts of Kindness inspires people every day. As a favorite celebration for many, people everywhere are enjoying doing these acts of kindness. Not only do the acts of kindness bring joy to the receiver, but they spread positive reactions to the giver, too!

If you are looking for ways to celebrate in classroom, click here: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/for-educators

HOW TO OBSERVE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY

• Pay for the coffee or meal of the person in front of you in line.
• Leave a kind note for someone, no explanation is needed.
• Share words of encouragement. You never know who might need them.
• Drop off a load of groceries at the local food pantry.
• Mail a "thinking of you" card to someone you've not to talk to in a while.
• Give someone a compliment.
• Just smile.

Create an online account with the vendors below to request a new ID card and view your benefits.

Medical & Prescription Care: UnitedHealthcare, www.myuhc.com

Dental Care: Delta Dental of Iowa, www.deltadentalia.com

Vision Care: VSP, www.vsp.com

With One Pass Select, we’re on a mission to make fitness engaging for everyone. One Pass Select can help you reach your fitness goals, while finding new passions along the way. Find a routine that’s right for you whether you work out at home or at the gym. Choose a membership tier that fits your lifestyle and provides everything you need for whole body health in one easy, affordable plan.

You and your eligible family members (18+) can get started with One Pass Select when you activate UHC Rewards. Plus, you can use your earnings to help pay for your One Pass membership.

To get started:

1. Go to the UnitedHealthcare® app or www.myuhc.com

2. Sign in or register

3. Select UHC Rewards

4. Select Redeem rewards to access One Pass Select

More Information: One Pass Select

Is there a minimum age to qualify for retirement?

• The District deems retirement age as those who are 55 or older, there is no length of service requirement.
• Note that IPERS defines retirement eligibility differently. Please contact IPERS directly at 1-800-622-3849.

How long does my insurance stay in effect?

• 10 Month Employees: As long as you complete the school year insurance benefits continue until August 31. If you do not complete the school year, insurance benefits stop on the last calendar day of your last working month.
• 12 Month Employees: Insurance benefits stop on the last calendar day of your last working month.

How does retiree insurance work?

• Retirees over the age of 55 can elect to continue Medical and/or Dental insurance at the full premium rate until the age of 65.
• Dependents must be enrolled on the plan for one year prior to the employee's retirement to also enroll in retiree benefits.
• Vision coverage can be continued through COBRA for 18 months at the full premium rate plus a 2% administrative fee.

How do I pay for retiree insurance?

• The District uses WEX as a third party billing agency.

Does the District offer Medicare supplements?

• No, Once a retiree turns 65 they must find a Medicare supplement through an independent insurance agent.

Can I still remain on the District's insurance if I choose to keep working past the age of 65?

• Yes, as long as the employee remains in a benefit eligible position.
• Some employees choose to drop medical coverage once they turn 65 as a mid-year qualifying event.

How do I submit my retirement notice?

• Log into Records, click on Available Forms then complete and submit the Retirement/Resignation form or contact Kim Smith for a District retirement form.
• Contact IPERS at 1-800-622-3849 for an IPERS retirement application packet

In this New York Times article, Christina Caron and Dana Smith say that since the pandemic, “there has been a cultural shift in the way we talk about mental health.” Isolation and uncertainty helped people understand the centrality of emotional needs to well-being. Caron and Smith summarize some action steps from mental health professionals:

• Sleep better. “Experts say that getting enough sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our mental health,” report Caron and Smith.

• Figure out if your anxiety is protective or problematic. A moderate amount of anxiety is actually useful, they say, but if worry and fear are constant, accompanied by restlessness and a sense of fear and doom, it’s time to get help.

• Stop the worry cycle. Distract yourself from too much stressful rumination – try a word game, music, exercise, or block out 30 minutes to focus on a problem that needs attention.

• Practice ‘five things tidying.’ “Your home doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be livable,” say Caron and Smith. Make cleaning manageable by focusing one at a time on trash, dishes, laundry, things with a place, and things without a place.

• Embrace gratitude. Express it to people – or a higher power – whenever possible, by writing thank-yous and journal entries and giving hugs.

• Be optimistic about aging. A positive mindset about growing older can actually extend healthy lifespans, say Caron and Smith. Appreciate the benefits and pay attention to positive role models.

• Participate in the arts. Write a poem, sing, draw, color a mandala – and don’t worry about talent and perfection.

• Look for a little bit of awe every day. Get outdoors and look with fresh eyes. Pay attention to your senses. “Simply notice the sky,” say Caron and Smith. “It can be more restorative than you might expect.”

• Minimize tech distractions. People are constantly bouncing from one thing to another, and technology is a big part of the problem, say Caron and Smith. They recommend focusing on work projects for 15-minutes and then taking a very short break to check your device, gradually increasing the work periods to 45 minutes or more.

• Take a deep breath. Taking slow, deep breaths is one of the fastest, easiest ways to calm your mind and body. One breathing exercise that can be helpful is inhaling for four seconds, holding it four seconds, and exhaling for eight.

Kim Smith

Benefits and Insurance Manager

Paul Logsdon

Benefits and Insurance/Workers' Comp Administrative Assistant

Email: smithk@live.siouxcityschools.com
Website: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/insurance/
Location: 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6692