Activities Offered
This week is Wellness Wednesday! We wish you the merriest of days as you enjoy your upcoming winter break. In addition to snacks in the staff lounge during lunch, please enjoy one of the following options to step away from your regular routine and try something new, catch a breath of fresh air, or show up for yourself in a way that is meaningful to you! Included here is a Sign up sheet that will go live at 8 am on Monday and an additional quick survey to let us know if you would enjoy sharing your hobbies, interests, and talents by volunteering to lead a wellness activity. Let us know the activity and the estimated cost and we can create it! Your feedback and participation is greatly appreciated as you are vital to a successful wellness program. Thank you so much!
Health and Happiness,
Your Wellness Committee
"Wherever you are, be there totally."- Eckhart Tolle
Oil Pastels Art with Jane (15)
Join Jane Crater for her birthday and create a wonderful gift for family members and a spectacular hall display with students. It does not require artistic skill and the end product is unique and impressive. Come and make a snowy, winter wonderland with friends.
Seaside Coffee House (20)- New Community Partner!
Come have a chill time savoring your favorite special drink (coffee, tea, cider, or cocoa) as well as a treat while experiencing connection as you enjoy sharing books, stories and/or play a variety of games!
Laser Tag (20)
This popular activity allows space for you to release all of the tension that builds up throughout the day through playful competition! Please arrive at 2:45 for check in. Bring a water bottle for in between games and appropriate shoes and clothes. Located inside the carousel mall.
Ornaments at Community Center (7) If you didn't have a chance to start an ornament in the pottery room last month, it's not too late to get started this week. This activity is time sensitive, so sign up by Tuesday so our pottery teachers can prepare a space for you.
Coffee Roasting at Burly and Bean (20) - New Community Partner!
Meet up with your colleagues to learn the art of coffee roasting and take some home with you!
Woobles Workshop with Angie (11)
Angie Bice has kindly offered to share some amazing crochet tips with us in a beginners Wooble workshop. These little wooble creatures make great gifts and/or can brighten up any room with their cuteness! This workshop will continue as an option next month for more instruction and time to complete.
Walk on your Own or in Nature
Take a break and walk on your own- in nature, on the beach, in your neighborhood, or around the school. Get your steps in and let the tension go!
OSBA's 77th Annual Convention Update
Wellness Wednesday
On November 1st, you got the opportunity to enjoy a wellness activity outdoors. Which activity did you choose? Did the opportunity impact your life in a positive way? If not, how can we improve your experience?
Restorative Yoga
"The yoga class was sublime! There were a lot of educators I enjoy interacting with, but I took the opportunity to get quiet and focus on my own body in the moment. Restorative!!"- Joyce Balint
"Absolutely love yoga-and like the options for Wednesday Wellness-thank you."- Elizabeth Mullen
"I loved this activity! It brought much needed relaxation, a sense of community, and added to my wellbeing. Thank you so much for providing this option for us :-)"- Melissa Rigby
"Yoga was such a nice and relaxing way to end my day. I really appreciate the opportunity to disconnect from work and take time to take care of myself for an hour."- Wendy Crozier
"It was wonderful to share yoga with singing bowls with so many people I care about and know pretty well. This made it very special. I would do this over and over for a wellness activity. Transported for an hour into gratitude and release!"- Rachel Whisler
Seaside Museum
"I really enjoyed our wellness activity at the Seaside Museum. What a gem in our community! It was wonderful to learn more about the history of Seaside and spend time with other colleagues. We had a very informative tour and learned about all the activities hosted by the museum throughout the year."- Susan Penrod
"I went to the Seaside Museum, a place I had never been. It was super cute and I loved seeing the old pictures of Seaside. Did you know there used to be a cool saltwater pool at the prom? I didn't! Right now the exhibit is about how people used to travel to Seaside. Such a great way to spend an hour. Thank you so much for including it as an option."- Kerri Boutin
Laser Tag
"We had fun!! It was great to connect with staff from other buildings and get to know staff from my own building outside of the work setting. There was a lot of friendly competition and it seemed like everyone really enjoyed themselves. While I am embarrassed to admit this, my legs are still sore from laser tag. It was a good workout! I would absolutely choose it again. Go red team!!"- Ashley Verhulst
"Laser tag was an absolute blast! This was my 3rd time and I would totally sign up again! A big thank you to the wellness team for offering lots of opportunities!"- Tanya Johnson
"This was my third time for laser tag and it was awesome. I 'll be back......."- Matthew Johnson
Hammer and Stain
"Hammer & Stain is my new favorite place! I loved making my project and having the chance to hang out with my work friends. I am already planning my next project and would definitely sign up to do this again."- Becky Seybold
"It was so fun to gather with colleagues I don't usually see and complete a craft! Hammer & Stain made it so easy to enjoy company and feel accomplished by the end of the time without all the mess at my own home! Thank you team!"- Chelsea Archibald
"I loved doing the Hammer and Stain activity. It was relaxing, fun and made me go outside my comfort zone. It was fun to see what others created and enjoy time filled with laughter, smiles, and oopsies. We worked together to fix problems and encouraged those around us."- Jane Crater
"I loved the H&S activity! I had fun mingling without the phone ringing 100 times and being able to be creative. I will also have a treasure that I can display in our office that hopefully makes others smile. I'm grateful for this time!"- Kelli Brenden
"I tried Hammer and Stain and had a great time being creative and meeting new people!"-Jen Wajturski
"I really appreciate the Wellness program that is offered. It was great to take a moment to relax and enjoy the companionship of fellow employees. I would like to offer a suggestion that when creating the schedule each month to try to offer an option in all the different categories of wellness ie: indoor active, outdoor active, craft, game etc and to try to spread the different categories out over the months. I felt torn this time because I prefer to do the craft activities and there were three choices this month that I would have loved to participated in and some months there are no craft activities. But again, thank you for putting together a really well rounded program. We all appreciate all your hard work!"- Katharine Parker
"I chose Hammer & Stain and it didn't disappoint! There were so many projects to pick from and unlimited stain/paint combinations. It was great to support a new business in town and see what they had to offer. It's a place I wish to visit later with my family! My pups were happy with their new bowl set-up! Thank You!"- kai Brown
Walk in Nature
"I would definitely choose solo time again. It was very stressless to not have any obligation but myself for an hour. I needed it to recharge. I like activities too but as a side option this is fantastic."- Lynn Addis
"It was awesome. I caught some excellent wellness waves after taking a walk on the beach."- Doug Mitchell
"It was so wonderful to get home to Jewell in time to take my pups (Mick and Jax) on our long walk. We don't usually get to do that road up "Mick Mountain" anymore because it is about a two-hour endeavor, so making it happen before dark with the Wellness Wednesday choice to walk in nature, we got that opportunity! It rained and all three of us were wet and muddy, but so happy!"- Hailee Wawro
"I signed up for a nature walk, but actually called my mom overseas instead. Time zones are hard! She's on vacation and we hadn't talked in 2 weeks. That was so important to my wellness! I wouldn't have called her if it had just been a work time, so the "freedom" to do that was really great. I know that's not helpful in planning, but I wanted to share! :)."- Erica Acton
"I love wellness Wednesday! I love that the district is prioritizing this. Just the idea of taking an hour like this as a whole district is such a great way to set a culture. Thanks!!"- Ethan Guzman
"I really enjoy walking in nature, it's so nice to have quiet reflection, and really appreciate the sounds around you, I hope this is always an option."- Leslie Cameron
"It is such a beautiful time of year. Walking around the neighborhood, we saw red trees and yellow trees, heard the wind rustling the trees, and felt the rain in our face. It was a lovely walk! I often choose to not walk when it is raining, but this walk made me feel connected to the changing seasons and enjoy the beautiful area we live in. Helped me relax and switch my mindset to gratitude."- Stephanie Wheatley
SSD Glimmers
"Our daughter was awarded Student of the Month this month at PRE. The character trait was Empathy. If there is one thing we want in our child, it’s for her to be kind and loving to all. Phoebe definitely embodies this even if she’s only 7 years old. There are many moments that we feel like failures as parents but knowing our baby is a good human tells me that we are doing something right."- Becky Seybold
"One of my students took it upon themselves to teach 2 classmates how to snap so they could participate in the activity."- Grace Bruncke
"Everyday I am grateful for my fellow Wellness Leaders. Jenn Gooch, Kathryn Zacher, Wendy Crozier, Toni Vandershule, and I presented our wellness program to other districts throughout our state at the Oregon School Boards Annual Convention last week. I am honored to work with all of you and so proud of our district."- Susan Penrod
"Huge shout out to Nicole Aydt for planning and implementing a fun and fabulous soccer tournament for our 6th graders to engage in and enjoy! This took a lot of energy and I know our students and staff loved and appreciated it."- Jenn Gooch
"The smiles that I see when one staff member goes out of their way to encourage another has been a huge glimmer. Seeing Ms. Roberts dress like Mrs. Thompson was amazing."- Jane Crater
"Since the time change, I've noticed that I can still see the beautiful moon high in the sky on my way to work and as I park to come into the building. It feels like she is shining and cheering us on as we head into school."- Jenn Gooch
Wonderful Resource!
Oregon Mind Body Institute, or OMBI, supports us in dealing with life’s challenges by teaching evidence-based skills that build mental and emotional health. Taking care of your mental health is an ongoing journey, just like taking care of your physical health. Mindfulness practices were developed thousands of years ago to help people find balance between coping with difficult emotions and appreciating the good things in life. Now, research shows that these practices can sculpt the brain to decrease stress and increase overall well-being.
Meaning: Be Part of Something Bigger
Having several sources of meaningful daily moments in our life facilitates resilience. When we are clear on these, it’s important to make sure we give attention to maintaining and nurturing them in our day-to-day lives. Reflection: Are there any important sources of meaning in your life that you’d like to nurture more? How, when and where can you give some attention or time to do this?
"This year has been a year of growth and responding to the needs of others. It has been fulfilling to see what someone needs and offer it without the other person asking. The area I need to nurture is doing this for myself. We are all wonderful caregivers to others, it is the nature of an educator, and forget to be graceful with ourself. By forcing myself to be slightly uncomfortable and join in more group activities, I have found that I am nurturing the side of me that has been left unfulfilled. I rarely take time to do something that may appear self indulgent or takes time away from my family. The wellness activities give me a chance to do this without guilt. I appreciate it and encourage others to utilize this resource."- Jane Crater
Dance Fitness
Dance Fitness with Yasmin Archer is back at the PRE gym Mon. & Frid. nights @ 6:30pm! #dancefit
"Dance Fitness with Yaz is so FUN!!!! It is a total mind, body, spirit experience. Learning and memorizing new moves for my mind- a TOTAL calorie- burn workout for my whole body-- and laughing with friends while experiencing the joy of dancing is such great therapy for my spirit. I seriously walk out of there red faced, sweating and on such a high stoke level every time!"- Beth Catt
Somatic Practices
— THE TEACHING WELL
At our latest Wellness Retreat, we reported on what we learned from the OEA Choice Trust Wellness Conference in Roseburg, Oregon and how we can apply our new knowledge of somatic practices to staff and students within our district. There was an amazing presenter named Lindsey Fuller, from The Teaching Well, which is a non-profit wellness organization founded on Ohlone land in Oakland, CA composed of teachers, school/district leaders, and healers that build the supports for educators so they can stay healthy, connected, and, ultimately, in roles that bring about liberatory change for their communities. We brainstormed ways that we can support staff leaning towards collective care with additional connection opportunities and reflected on what is working as well as our areas of growth.
40 Fantastic Vegan Christmas Recipes
40 delicious vegan Christmas recipes from around the plant-based internet.
Seven Secrets for the Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Creamy and rich yet fluffy and light vegan mashed potatoes are possible! It’s the two types of potatoes you use and my addition of miso butter that make them just as good as the classic version loaded with dairy.
Looking for Gift Ideas this Season?
34 Delicious Mason Jar Gift Ideas
Homemade gifts in a jar are a nice way to show people just how much they mean to you. These pretty Mason jar gift ideas include everything from sweet cookie mixes to savory canned salsas.
"I discovered this recipe in our local newspaper, and when I gave it a try, my family loved it. While you can pack the dry ingredients into any kind of quart-sized container, a glass jar lets the pretty layers show. Cover an ordinary canning-jar lid with special fabric to customize the gift for an occasion or the season." —Lynn Dowdall, Perth, Ontario
Your Wellness Team!
Wellness Coordinators
Kathryn Zacher (Pacific Ridge)
Jenn Gooch (SMS)
District Office
Toni Vandershule
Amy Santilli
Pacific Ridge Elementary School Building Leaders
Chuck Albright
Debbie Hillman
Seaside Middle School Building Leaders
Wendy Crozier, Karma Herd, Shelby Gagnon, Natalie Dyroff
Seaside High School Building Leaders
Julie Greene, Vihn Pham, Katherine Parker
Bus Barn Building Leader
Tonya Wilson
Contact us at wellness@seasidek12.org
Follow us on Instagram @ssdeverydaywellness
Join us on our SSD Facebook group