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Commit to Be Fit Newsletter
April 18th, 2022
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3 May 2024/ Issue No. 285
Dance Encore
On Friday, April 26th, Headwater's Afterschool Enrichment Program DANCE group performed at Black Twig under the direction of Ms. Karren Corron from Karen's Line Dancing. This was the perfect conclusion to a FANTASTIC semester of DANCE. They did such a WONDERFUL job!
On the following Thursday, the students were treated to a surprise dance party with tasty treats, a frame decorating craft with the team picture, and of course, lots of dance! Thank you to Headwaters for inviting us to co-teach this incredible enrichment opportunity on Thursdays!
In the Lab
Q: What are three things that you are guaranteed to see in the BrainSTAR lab?
A: Movement, Reading, and Smiles!
Congratulations to the winners of our Just Chill Challenge prize drawing, Robbie Fincham and Jacqui Lowe-Barton. They each have won a travel hammock, which is perfect for relaxation! Thank you to everyone that participated in this unique, yet beneficial challenge. After all, relaxation and stress reduction activities can enhance mental well-being.
POP Bucks is Back for RCPS Students
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.
Fit Kids Clinic
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/
Walking Group
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!
Buy Local and Fresh
The Rappahannock Farmers Market is now open for the 2024 season! Held in Sperryville near the Black Twig, the market is open from 9 am-12 pm on Saturdays. Happy Shopping!
RCPS families, see our announcement section to learn more about our free market bags for students.
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know skin is the body’s largest organ? Spring has sprung, and so have the sun’s strongest UV rays. During the spring and summer months, the sun’s rays don’t have to travel as far to reach our skin. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and should be a reminder to protect our skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It’s important to educate people about the risks and promote preventative measures for skin cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides recommendations to help prevent skin cancer:
Stay in the Shade: Limiting your time in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are strongest, can reduce exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Wear Protective Clothing: Covering up with clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats, can provide physical protection from UV rays.
Use Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and reapply it every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Seek Shade: When outdoors, seek shade under trees, umbrellas, or other structures to reduce direct exposure to the sun.
Wear Sunglasses: Choose sunglasses that block at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes and the surrounding skin.
Avoid Tanning Beds: Avoid using tanning beds and sunlamps, as they emit UV radiation that can increase the risk of skin cancer.
Check Your Skin Regularly: Perform regular skin self-exams to check for any changes in moles, freckles, or other spots on your skin. Consult a healthcare professional if you notice any suspicious changes.
Protect Children: Keep infants under six months old out of direct sunlight and wear protective clothing. For older children, follow the same sun protection measures and encourage sun-safe habits.
These recommendations can help reduce the risk of developing skin cancer and promote overall skin health. Be proactive about sun protection while enjoying more time outside during the warmer months. For additional information, visit the CDC's skin cancer prevention page: CDC Skin Cancer Prevention.
The Very Best Granola
This week's recipe, The Very Best Granola, comes from Cookie and Kate. To view the recipe, click HERE.
The winners of final salad bar coupon drawing of the school year are Elaine McCabe (RCES) and Kathryn Waters (RCHS). Enjoy!
Teacher Resources
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.
Commit to Be Fit is a school sponsored, grant funded program in Rappahannock County, Virginia. Through the generosity of the PATH Foundation, Commit to Be Fit was created to promote a culture of wellness in Rappahannock County Public Schools and the Rappahannock community.