Panther Power

RCPS Health & Wellness Newsletter- April 2025

Welcome to the 3rd edition of our "Panther Power for Families." This monthly newsletter, suggested by our School Health Advisory Committee, is dedicated to promoting health & wellness for our students and school families. Each month, we will highlight a few of the health initiatives in our schools and provide helpful tips for keeping our Panthers healthy, happy, and flourishing.

Inside the April 2025 Edition

School Wellness Snapshots

Featured Article: PTO Fun Run

Wellness Spotlight: Headwaters After School Enrichment Program

Featuring: Q&A with Lacey Jenkins

Tasty Recipe to Try at Home

Healthy Tropical Trio Pudding

Wellness Happenings in Our Schools & Community

Helpful Resources

April is Autism Awareness Month. On April 24th, RCPS hosted a Neurodiversity/Autism Awareness and Acceptance Walk at the RCES walking path. Headwaters After School Enrichment Program attendees joined the fun by flying kites they had made specifically for the event. Each kite was personally decorated by the students the previous day, and when flown together, the kites represented uniqueness and diversity. Thank you to Headwaters and all staff and participants who joined us for this special event.

Photos by Holly Jenkins

On Thursday, April 24th, RCPS students had an opportunity to sample refreshing peach smoothies. Joseph Peralta, Food System Specialist at the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission, and representatives from the Carver Food Enterprise Center led taste tastings featuring locally grown peaches from Saunders Brothers Farms. Most students agreed that the smoothies were delicious! To learn more about Saunders Brothers Farm, CLICK HERE to view a video courtesy of Joseph Peralta.

Photos by Holly Jenkins

Earlier this month, RCHS students were enthusiastically welcomed to school by Dr. Boynton and Ms. Place, who greeted them with big smiles and the cheerful message: "Some bunny loves you!" Now, that is a fantastic way to start the day!
Photo by Holly Jenkins

The Rappahannock PTO Fun Run Fundraiser brought excitement, joy, and plentiful physical activity to RCPS students on April 3rd. Participants tackled a variety of engaging obstacle stations and enjoyed sweet treats like snow cones and cotton candy. This year's theme, "Climbing Together to Build Rapp's Future," was significant as it marked the first time the event brought together both elementary and high school students. Held at RCES, students from PreK through 7th grade rotated through the activities, with high school students running stations, demonstrating the challenges, and cheering on their younger peers as they completed each task. To further symbolized unity, the entire student body proudly wore t-shirts that featured the names of every single student and staff member of RCPS.

The event was the culmination of a two-week fundraising effort involving students from both schools to raise $50,000, a significant increase from previous years. Previously, the PTO Fun Run fundraiser was exclusive to RCES students for projects like the RCES walking path, playground shelters and shade, and field trip opportunities for PreK-7th grades. This year's expanded goal was to support even bigger projects; funds will support the creation of an outdoor learning courtyard at RCHS, along with an art installation, rock climbing wall, and gaga pit at RCES.

As of April 7th, students had raised roughly $41,000. Lynnie Genho, PTO Vice President and Fun Run Coordinator, was thrilled with both school’s efforts to achieve their goal. "The PTO is elated that RCES had yet another successful year. However, we are especially proud of RCHS for contributing so much to this fundraiser during their first year participating," Genho said. The decision was made to include the high school this year to show unity and to support a new outdoor space at RCHS. “While RCHS often fundraises for many specific goals, it’s hard to bring everyone together from the entire student body population. PTO recognized there was a great need at RCHS to raise money for the courtyard, and we’re really proud of the way the community rallied together to help achieve this goal,” Genho added.

This year also marked a significant change to the event's structure, as students completed obstacle stations rather than running laps as they did in the previous five years. The stations, named after local landmarks or inspired by a country theme, symbolized the theme of overcoming challenges and uniting the two schools’ populations by having the older students help the younger ones. Despite the switch, there was no shortage of physical activity for the students. There were seven exciting obstacles: a recycle-themed relay race, agility tire drills, racing over horse jumps, rescue maneuvers like dragging a fire hose and completing chest compressions on a mannequin, and running through an inflatable obstacle course. This unifying event would not have been possible with the generosity of the PATH Foundation's Better Together Grant and numerous parent and community volunteers.

"This year's theme was all about community and working together to achieve big things," said Genho. "Thanks to the PATH Foundation's generous grant and community support like Willie Shanks from Flatwood, Washington Fire and Rescue, FFA, and so many parents, we were able to provide a fun experience for the kids." She continued, "We had 35 parent volunteers and at least 20 families come out to support the students. This is what PTO is all about to me, getting parents involved in their children’s schools! We are also incredibly grateful to all the families, individuals, and businesses who made this our most successful Fun Run yet! We are thankful for all the support to help provide these special features like the courtyard and climbing wall that all students will enjoy."

The Rappahannock PTO is still taking donations and sponsorships to help with building the courtyard. As a 501(c)(3) organization, donations to the RCPS PTO are fully tax-deductible. Contributions can be made payable to Rappahannock County Public Schools PTO and can be dropped off at the front desk of either school or at Atlantic Union Bank in Little Washington, care of Angie Shavatt (Branch Manager and PTO Treasurer).

Write-up and photos by Holly Jenkins

This month's wellness spotlight features Headwaters' After School Enrichment Program (ASEP). Started in 2011, ASEP was created to provide a safe, supporting environment that promotes growth in social, academic, and physical/emotional wellbeing for RCES students. The program's vision is to "encourage a lifestyle and attitude that embraces physical activity, good nutrition, positive social relationships with adults and peers, and mental wellness."

Check out a Q&A spotlight featuring Lacey Jenkins, who serves as the Director of Programs for Headwaters Foundation, to learn more about this fantastic after school enrichment opportunity for students K-7th grade.

ASEP is one of several core program's that Headwaters, The Rappahannock County Public Education Foundation, Inc. provides for Rappahannock County Public Schools. Additional programs include College and Career Access, READ, Starfish Mentoring, and Educational Enrichment Grants. To learn more about Headwaters and visit their website, CLICK HERE.

Q: What are some of the different workshops or activities that you have offered during the years at Headwaters’ After School Enrichment Program (ASEP)?

Totality Martial Arts
Line Dancing with BOOM Fitness
Freestyle Dance and Lyrical
RAAC artists with workshops
State Climb
Eldon Farm exploration
STEM, Music and outdoor exploration
Arts, crafts, etiquette, and cooking
Community Service
READ Program running in tandem
Videography/Cinematography
Weird and Wacky Science
Lego Coding and Robotics
Cooking and Baking
Golf at the Sperryville 9
Field Trips of various kinds
Girls on the Run Program
Puppet Making/performance
Ukulele Club
Sports, Physical Fitness Circuits and healthy eating habits
Gardening
Sewing/Crochet/Home EC

Q: How does ASEP promote health and wellness for students?

"The ASEP promotes health and wellness for the students in various ways. Each day, students are offered a healthy and wholesome “snack.” Some examples of the offerings include spaghetti dinners, pulled pork sandwiches, taco Tuesdays, fruit salad, ham and cheese sliders, and chicken salad wraps. We encourage our students to try new things, and most of the time, they are pleasantly surprised!

Additionally, we’ve worked closely with the RCES staff and admin team to communicate the specific needs of the children we serve to create consistency, inclusion, and a shared general awareness. We strive to ensure each child in ASEP feels valued, heard, respected, cared for, and loved. Amongst the students, we promote sportsmanship and inclusivity; we are like family!"

Q: In your own words, what are some of the things you enjoy most about ASEP?

"There are a million things I love about ASEP! Number 1: the kids! I can speak for the entire staff when I say that we may only have these kiddos 6 hours a week, but we have fun, we counsel, we listen, we encourage creativity, and we show kindness and respect. Next fall, I will surpass my 11th year of participating in this program, and seeing it’s evolution has been a true joy! I enjoy working with a great group of folks who feel equally attached to the kids in the most sincere ways."

Q: Please share anything else that you would like our school families to know about ASEP.

" I would love our school families to know how much fun we have every day, and if your child is interested in joining our program next fall, all are welcome!"

Students learn how to make tasty sushi during a healthy meal workshop with Ms. Lacey.

Physical activity is a big component of ASEP. Whether it's playground fun or competitive games like tug-of-war, students enjoy the movement opportunities.

Attendees receive academic support with homework and one-on-one reading opportunities with volunteers, such as Steph Ridder, Headwaters Board Member, pictured above.

Headwaters photos by Holly Jenkins

Featured Recipe: Healthy Tropical Trio Pudding

If you are looking for a delicious and healthy pudding recipe. You definitely want to give them one a try! It's easy to make (only four ingredients) and is a refreshing tropical snack, breakfast, or dessert.

Healthy Tropical Trio Pudding

Yields: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Chill Time: 60 minutes

Pudding Ingredients

· 4 large bananas, chopped

· 1 cup fresh mango, diced

· ½ cup coconut milk

· 2 cups vanilla yogurt

Pudding Directions

1. Prepare fruit by dicing mango into tiny pieces and chopping the bananas.

2. Add mango, bananas, coconut milk, and yogurt to a blender, starting with the mango at the bottom. Depending on your blender, you may wish to add in 2 tablespoons of water. Blend until smooth and creamy.

3. Pour into four glasses or bowls. Refrigerate for an hour.

Check out some of the exciting upcoming events happening at RCPS and in the community.

RCHS students will be selling plants at the Rappahannock Plant Sale on Saturday, May 3rd.

This C2BF challenge for students in grades 8-12 started at the end of March and aims to reduce screen time by bringing awareness to students' average usage trends and education on the detrimental effects of excessive usage.

There is still limited availability to sign-up for Week 1: June -June 13th for older campers. All other weeks have been filled. Enrollment information and more can be found at www.RappNatureCamp.org. Student scholarships are available through the Headwaters Emily Hilscher Passion Award.

Summer Chorus and Drama is BACK! Students can enroll in either Chorus (mornings) or Drama (afternoons) or both. Enrollment in either program is $75, with a discounted rate of $125 for enrollment in both. Scholarships are available for those in need. There is space for 18 students in the drama program and unlimited space in the Chorus. To register, click here: http://www.raac.org/drama-chorus-registration/

For more information and to register, CLICK HERE.

A New Mental Health Resource for Our Youth

Hello Panther Families,

We are very excited to share a new resource with you and your students when we return from Spring Break! We’ve been looking into additional ways to expand support for everyday challenges and mental health for our youth. To that aim, we found Alongside. https://www.alongside.care/

It will serve as a tool for our staff, working “alongside” teachers, counselors, and the Division Mental Health Innovators team to provide support for students that aren’t comfortable asking for it and to help identify high-risk students that need extra support. Alongside meets Tier 3 and 4 criteria from Evidence for ESSA, which means it has demonstrated promising evidence of its impact on student mental health and well-being. The platform will be available to Rappahannock County students in grades 6-12. To see how it works, you can watch this 3-minute tour from their teen advisor, Ava. https://www.alongside.care/how-it-works?utm_campaign=&utm_source=GTM_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&utm_term=&eid=

Students will activate their Alongside accounts during class time when we return from Spring Break and they can access the platform anytime via browser (app.alongside.care) or mobile (iOS or Android) with their school email address. I’m excited to provide this additional support to our students.

Here are links to Alongside’s Terms of Service and Privacy policy. If you do NOT want your student accessing Alongside, please email Erica Jennejahn (ejennejahn@rappahannockschools.us) and include your student’s name. Thank you for your support! Please reach out to Erica Jennejahn with any concerns or questions.

Thank you,

Erica Jennejahn, MSW

School Social Worker

Why was Alongside created?

Every student struggles with everyday challenges and issues that affect their mental health and the CDC reports 42% of teens feel persistently sad and hopeless, up 50% in the last 10 years. With so much need and limited mental health staff, Alongside can support schools and counselors to make brief and early interventions accessible to all students. Students talk to the llama, a chatbot, and get personalized support developed by doctoral clinicians. Severe issues are escalated to counselors and staff during school hours and 24/7 resources after hours. Students love talking to the llama to feel better and take care of themselves.

Anabel Ibarra: A Principal’s Perspective

"Alongside is a game changer. It's the first level of support for our students.” (video here)