Commit to Be Fit Newsletter

10 May 2024/ Issue No. 286

On Thursday, May, 9th, RCES students enjoyed a tasty treat during lunch time! Ms. Mallory Grady, Regional Farm to School Associate, along with Commit to Be Fit, prepared a chocolate chia pudding served with locally grown strawberries and garnished with fresh mint, which was grown by students in the school courtyard. The students enjoyed the Harvest of the Month taste testing, with many requests for seconds. Check out our Featured Recipe section to view a similar recipe.

C2BF hosted a 60-minute Relaxation, Mindfulness, and Sound Bath Experience for the community on Wednesday, May 8th. The workshop, led by Rich Sitorius, incorporated beautiful melodies from Tibetan singing bowls and gentle guided meditation to bring awareness to breath and different parts of the body to release tension. At the conclusion of the event, the participants shared that they felt much more relaxed and would love to attend again! Thank you, Rich, for providing this fantastic workshop to promote mental well-being and stress reduction for all attendees.

As requested, for those that would like to attend Rich's weekly offerings in Luray or Front Royal, visit his website HERE.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Neurodiversity/ Autism Awareness and Acceptance Community Walk on Monday, April 29th! It was a great turnout (21 participants) and an awesome social gathering as we walked to show support for understanding and embracing neurodiversity.

POP (Power of Produce) Bucks returned to the Farmers Market on Saturday, May 4th! Through the generosity of the PATH Foundation, all RCPS students can receive a FREE farmers market bag and tokens to shop at participating market vendors. Sign-up is required. See our announcements section for more details.

Through a PATH Foundation grant, Commit to Be Fit is thrilled to continue the POP (Power of Produce) Bucks program to provide access to local food and support our local 2024 Farmers Market season. EVERY RCPS student has the opportunity to redeem a POP Bucks Market Bag filled with local produce, protein, and bread. Plus, each bag includes TWO $5 tokens to redeem at participating market vendors. SIGN-UP IS REQUIRED and is limited to 25 students per week (first come, first serve). To sign up, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc41bZx2QEpJ_6ysM3r8H2FYRZZ7O6J2NIlkzximyGl7NIrIQ/viewform or on our website at https://www.rappc2bf.com/pop-bucks

Once we reach 25 bags, the sign-up collector will close. It will reopen on Monday morning for each new week.

RCPS Parents/Guardians- Leaving work is not always easy if your child gets sick at school. Telehealth makes it easier. With your consent, Ms. Prince will be able to use video telehealth technology to connect your child with a provider at Valley Health. In most cases, your child can be diagnosed without leaving school or you having to leave work. Conditions treated include asthma, allergies, cough, colds, flu, ear aches, sore throats, fever, headaches, head lice, pink eye, and skin irritations. The clinic saves valuable time (for students and parents) and reduces absenteeism. The clinic is available to all students in grades PreK-12 with parental consent, as well as available to RCPS staff. The necessary paperwork can be found at https://www.valleyhealthlink.com/about-us/school-based-telehealth-visits/

Lace up your shoes and join us for Walking Group on Mondays! This group meets at 3:45 pm at the RCES flag pole. Whether you are competing in one of our physical activity challenges or you would like to get a few extra steps in, we would love for you to come out and walk with us! This group is open to the entire community. Tell your friends or bring them with you!

Live bigger. Shine brighter. Love harder. I challenge you to apply all three every day to not only improve your quality of life, but to make the world a better place.

Embrace growth by setting ambitious goals that challenge and inspire you. Cultivate a positive mindset, practicing gratitude and self-compassion. Expand your horizons by seeking new experiences, whether through travel, learning, or trying new activities.

Nourish your body, mind, and spirit. Prioritize, self-care rituals that replenish your energy and promote inner radiance. Stay physically active, eat nourishing foods, and get restorative sleep. Invest in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, allowing your unique light to shine brightly.

Deepen your connections with others through authenticity and compassion. Communicate openly and honestly, creating meaningful relationships built on trust and understanding. Practice empathy and kindness, both to yourself and others. Show appreciation for the people in your life and cherish moments of connection.

Remember, living bigger, shining brighter, and loving harder is a journey, not a destination. Embrace each day with intentionality and a commitment to your holistic well-being, allowing yourself to flourish and make a positive impact on the world around you.

There’s nothing like coming home to a tail wagging, furry friend greeting you at your door. Who gets more excited to see you than your dog?? Not only do they bring you joy, but they also help decrease stress hormone levels while increasing social support and mood. There have been many studies that point to a pet companionship having positive impacts on mental health, but did you know they also have an impact on physical health too? Data has shown that those who own dogs get more exercise than those who don’t. In addition to increasing fitness activity, our companions can also decrease cholesterol levels and help lower blood pressure. Next time you feel stressed or anxious, knot up those tennis shoes, grab that leash, and take your little bestie for that evening stroll. Your heart, health and your dog will thank you!

This week's featured recipe was inspired by our Harvest of the Month taste testing at the elementary school. To view a similar recipe from Sharon Palmer, The Plant-Powered Dietician, click HERE.

RCPS Teachers-- As a friendly reminder, we have a massive database of brain breaks (PreK-12) and movement games/activities with SOL and content integration ideas (PK-5). CLICK HERE to view the Teacher Resource page. If you prefer, the C2BF team would be happy to come to your classroom and lead a brain break, activity, or even a mindful minute. Email c2bf@rappahannockschools.us to schedule a push-in.