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 LIVE TO GIVE mindsets teaches that life’s abundance flows in cycles. To receive love, respect, kindness, and more, one must first be willing to give those things to others. This mindset shows that living to give requires individuals to stretch themselves, make a difference, and receive graciously. By doing so, a legacy is created for others to follow.

Lessons on below 4 critical components

• Stretch Yourself

• Make a Difference

• Receive Gracefully

• Create a Legacy

Two effective ways to change how you think about a difficult situation are positive reframing and examining the evidence.

Positive reframing involves looking at a negative situation from a more positive perspective. For example, if a community event is canceled due to bad weather, instead of feeling disappointed, you could tell yourself, "This gives us more time to plan and we can find creative ways to communicate the new date."

Examining the evidence means questioning the assumptions you're making about a situation. It’s about evaluating how likely the worst outcome you fear really is. For example, if you’re anxious about a group project, remind yourself, "I’ve worked in teams before, and we’ve always found a way to finish strong, even when things get tough."

If one reframe doesn’t work, stretch yourself and keep trying different perspectives. Practicing this method can help you approach challenges with a clearer, more balanced mindset.

Compliments of Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

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

• Olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 3 medium sized leeks,
• 2 sprigs rosemary, chopped
• 500g carrots
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 600ml boiling water (you can always add more if you need to)
• 1 heaped tbsp bouillon
• 2 peppers
• Handful of mushrooms
• 250g red lentils

DIRECTIONS

1. Finely chop the onion and garlic, and then heat the oil in a large stock pan before adding them to the pan.
2. Chop the leeks and carrots and add them to the pan once the onions have softened a little. Add the tomatoes, water and bouillon and stir well. Leave to simmer for a few minutes.
3. Next, chop the peppers and mushrooms. Add to the pan with the lentils, stir well and season (I don’t add extra salt here because the bouillon is quite salty, but do this to your own taste).
4. Put the lid on and leave to simmer away until the carrots and lentils are cooked. Use a hand blender to blend to your preferred consistency.
5. Enjoy with some crusty bread or oatcakes.

Primary School recently hosted its annual Friendship Ball, an exciting event that brought students together to celebrate new friendships. The event was filled with lively dancing, delicious refreshments, music, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Students engaged in positive social interactions, fostering a sense of community and unity. It was a wonderful opportunity to build on the "We Are Connected" mindset, helping students strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.

To align with discussions of the “Attitude of Gratitude” Mindset, students in grades 3-5 created “Thankful Bracelets.” By creating a color code, they assigned each bead color to something they were grateful for in their lives. While each bracelet was unique in what it represented, collectively, they shared one powerful message—an Attitude of Gratitude. This activity provided a meaningful opportunity to reflect and be thankful, while promoting mindfulness and creativity.

To close out the "Attitude of Gratitude" mindset and introduce the "Live to Give" one, Central School students created Valentine's Day cards for local nursing homes. This heartfelt initiative allowed students to demonstrate community care while making a positive difference in the lives of our most seasoned community members. Through their thoughtful gestures, students not only expressed gratitude but also embraced the spirit of giving, spreading kindness and joy to others.

Old Mill School held its annual “Soup”er Bowl, combining school spirit with community service! Students brought in a total of 380 cans of soup, cast their votes for this year’s Super Bowl winner, and made a meaningful impact. All donations were donated to the local food bank to help those in need. A special thank you to the Student Council for organizing, sorting, and counting the donations. Their hard work made this event a success!

Spreading wealth and health in one engaging activity, West Belmar students grew vegetables in the school's hydroponic system, using water-based mineral nutrient solutions without soil. Students harvested the fresh produce, prepared delicious salads, and donated them to local senior citizens, sharing homegrown goodness with the community. What a wonderful way to teach horticulture while also giving back and promoting healthy living. It was an enriching experience for both students and the community they served!

The Wall Intermediate School Competition Band shared the gift of music while inspiring our youngest learners. By visiting all four elementary schools, the musicians showcased their incredible talents and spread joy through the performing arts. Thank you to our talented musicians for inspiring the next generation and fostering a love for music in the hearts of our students!

Wall High School seniors volunteered to lead a focus group for freshmen, providing valuable insights based on their own experiences at the school. The session offered words of wisdom and gave freshmen the chance to ask questions about high school life, academics, and navigating challenges. The seniors shared their personal journeys, reflected on what they had learned, and expressed gratitude for the lessons that shaped their high school experience. It was an opportunity for meaningful connection, as the seniors guided and supported the freshmen in making the most of their own high school years.

As healthcare providers, we understand the importance of CPR and basic first-aid skills. This month, we're excited to offer our 5th-grade students the opportunity to gain hands-on CPR training, allowing them to learn these valuable life-saving techniques.

Do you know more than a 5th grader?
Test your knowledge with these CPR questions:

What should you do if someone is not awake or moving?

A) Play loud music

B) Call for help and take their pulse

C) Leave them alone

Where do you push for chest compressions?

A) On the stomach

B) In the middle of the chest

C) On the legs

What is CPR used for?

A) To make someone feel better

B) To help someone breathe and keep their heart beating

C) To stop a nosebleed

What should you do if someone is not breathing?
A) Start rescue breaths
B) Give them water
C) Ask them to breathe

How many times should you push on the chest for CPR?

A) 10 times

B) 30 times

C) 50 times

Answers: B, B, B, A, B

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

Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up your home—it’s a powerful opportunity for emotional and psychological renewal. Decluttering and organizing your physical space can significantly reduce stress and boost mental clarity. Studies show that 87% of people experience lower stress levels in organized spaces, and cleaning increases dopamine levels by 47%, providing a natural mood boost while reducing cortisol and anxiety. But the benefits go beyond just creating a cleaner home.

Decluttering is also a way to process emotions—letting go of items tied to past memories can help you move forward and make room for new experiences. It's not about getting rid of everything, but about choosing what still serves you and what can be released.

To make your spring cleaning more meaningful, here are a few helpful tips:

1. Break it Down: Focus on one area at a time—such as a closet or drawer—to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
2. Ask the Right Questions: As you sort through items, ask, “Does this help me now or in the future?” If not, consider letting it go.
3. Be Mindful: Acknowledge the memories attached to items, but don’t let them hold you back. Keep what still matters, and release what no longer serves you.
4. Create Closure: For sentimental items, take a picture to remember them and appreciate the role they played in your life.

By turning spring cleaning into an emotional reset, you’re not just tidying up your space—you’re making room for personal growth and positive change just in time for SUMMER!

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home—it’s a great time to refresh your digital life too! Here are some tips for tidying up your online accounts, devices, and digital spaces:

Online Accounts

• Review your accounts (email, social networks, shopping sites, and cloud storage).
• Remove outdated info (e.g., saved credit cards or old documents).
• Close unused accounts and ensure your passwords are secure and unique.

Email Accounts

• Organize your inbox by deleting or archiving old emails.
• Empty your trash folder and set it to auto-empty regularly.
• Unsubscribe from irrelevant emails.

Devices

• Delete unused apps and clear old downloads.
• Ensure your device is protected with a password or fingerprint.
• Archive or delete unnecessary files and empty your trash/recycling bin.
• Keep your antivirus and software updated.

Home Networks

• Secure your router with a unique password and update encryption to WPA2.
• Install additional security features like firewalls or antivirus software.

Back Up Files

• Ensure you have a backup of important files and can restore them if needed.

A little digital spring cleaning will keep your data and devices secure and organized!

Spring is a great time to refresh your home, and with the right approach, spring cleaning can become a fun family activity. Here’s how to make it enjoyable for everyone:

Turn Cleaning into a Game:

• Race Against the Clock: Set a timer and challenge kids to clean as much as they can.
• Treasure Hunt: Hide prizes around the house for kids to find while cleaning.
• Musical Cleaning: Play music and turn cleaning into a dance party.

Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks:

• Toddlers (2-4): Putting toys away, wiping surfaces.
• Preschoolers (4-6): Making the bed, watering plants, dusting.
• School-Age (6-10): Sweeping, vacuuming, organizing.
• Tweens/Teens: Mopping, decluttering, helping with laundry.

Create a Reward System:

• Use a sticker chart with small rewards.
• Plan a family outing or treat after cleaning.

Declutter Together:

• Sort old toys and clothes to donate.
• Pick a charity and talk about the impact of giving.

Make It a Learning Experience:

• Teach life skills like folding clothes and simple cleaning techniques.

Celebrate the Accomplishment:

• Enjoy a family pizza night or watch a movie in your refreshed space.

Spring cleaning with kids can be fun, teaching responsibility, teamwork, and good habits!

Winter is behind us and it’s time to enjoy the benefits of spring! The world is waking up and shaking off the past months of cold. And of course, longer days means spending more time in the great outdoors! Be sure to spend time outside this spring and feel the healing power of nature!

Here are some fun ways to spring into health:

• Get outside and discover a park near you! Run, fish, bike, hike, and swim your way through our national parks! There’s plenty to see and do this spring.

• Spring clean your brain! Springtime is full of new beginnings and fresh starts, so take some time to check in on your mental health. Write in a journal, meditate, or let your mind relax in nature. Prioritize positivity and wellness!

• Enjoy seasonal foods! Fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful in the spring. Add them into your meals for good health that tastes delicious!

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