Panther Power

RCPS Health & Wellness Newsletter- March 2025

Welcome to the second 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 March 2025 Edition

School Wellness Snapshots

National Nutrition Month Spotlight

Featuring: Q& A with Cafeteria Managers, Healthy Breakfast Infographic, Recipe, & Panther Pulse

Wellness Spotlight: School Social Work

Featuring: Q&A with Erica Jennejahn, MSW

Wellness Happenings in Our Schools & Community

Helpful Resources

Students in Headwaters' After School Enrichment Program enjoyed a lively game of "jump the rope" during the free play time.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

RCHS students had an opportunity to try a tasty butternut squash macaroni and cheese recipe on February 25th! Mr. Joseph Peralta, Food Systems Specialist at Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission, visited the high school and shared the samples to highlight February's Harvest of the Month.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

The 7th grade peer mentors, along with Ms. Rutherford, spread kindness and hearts along the sunshine hallway during kindness week.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

Mr. Burks' 9th grade PE students enjoyed a medicine ball carry station during a fitness circuit on March 4th.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

Ms. Pitt's PE students enjoyed learning basic skills during an introduction to pickleball on February 26th!

Photo by Holly Jenkins

The Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) classes, taught by Mrs. Waters, had a guest speaker who taught a combination class for the students and local volunteer providers. The class consisted of CPR management with an external CPR device. They also reviewed the use of a new Lifepak 35, which has been recently placed in service for the providers. The high schoolers were heavily mixed into the training program to simulate all the skills they had learned in the semester.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

Starting the day of with good nutrition is important. Tasty fruit parfaits are a breakfast hit!

Photo by Holly Jenkins

Following a cold winter, students were excited to be outdoors on the RCHS track during gym class.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

In honor of National Nutrition Month and National School Breakfast Week (March 3-7), we are spotlighting our cafeteria managers, Julie Banks and Wanda Early, in a Q&A feature below. Check it out to learn more about school breakfast opportunities, menu planning, and more! Additionally, we have included an informative infographic outlining the benefits of a healthy breakfast to start the day right, as well as a tasty breakfast recipe from Brian Volmrich, the RCPS Cafeteria Liaison. Lastly, hear from some of our younger students about the importance of a nutritious breakfast.

Q: What are some ways that you promote breakfast for students?

"At the high school, we offer the traditional before school breakfast as well as a second chance breakfast. This gives students the opportunity to eat breakfast that may have arrived to school a little late, students that were not hungry early in the morning, or that prefer to eat a little later in the day. This has greatly improved participation in our breakfast program at the high school and more students are being fed."

Q: Lots of work goes into planning your breakfast and lunch menus. Can you share some insight into how you develop your monthly menus?
"We like to incorporate student choices and preferences through surveys and taste tests while also following nutritional guidelines when planning our menus. We love to hear student feedback on our menu items! We offer a variety of options for breakfast and lunch for all students. We incorporate Harvest of the Month on our menus each month with a featured menu item. We also try to feature locally sourced fruits, vegetables and proteins when possible."

Q: What are some of the new healthier menu items that you have offered on breakfast or lunch menus?

"We offer either parfaits or smoothies every day at breakfast made with fresh fruit, yogurt and milk. We have farm fresh, local sausage from Papa Weavers Pork in Orange on our breakfast menu for February and March. We offer fresh baked pizza every Friday, made with dough and sauce from scratch ingredients. This has become a *favorite* among students and staff! Many of our dishes including spaghetti and bbq chicken are now being made with sauces from scratch as well as our new “Panther Sauce” that we introduced this school year."

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with families about the cafeteria or student nutrition?

"We are working toward reducing sodium and added sugars in our meals. We also offer a fresh salad bar or a baked potato every day as another option to the main entrée."

Q: What are some ways that you promote breakfast for students?

"The elementary school has a traditional breakfast as well as a grab-n-go breakfast option. On the grab-n-go cart, we offer an assortment of items for students who want to take it back to their classroom to eat or students who are arriving a little late. They have a choice between a couple different entrees as well as a variety of fresh fruit, juice and milk."

Q: Lots of work goes into planning your breakfast and lunch menus. Can you share some insight into how you develop your monthly menus?

"Our menus are a team effort among food service staff. We like to try new ideas on the menus through surveys and taste testing to get feedback and see how well it is accepted by the students. We are working toward a cycle menu. We also like to put special menu items on for holidays and we also put featured items on for Harvest of the Month."

Q: What are some of the new healthier menu items that you have offered on breakfast or lunch menus?

"We are cooking more scratch and speed scratch meals. We are incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables on the menu and less starchy vegetables. We are using whole grain wraps instead of bread for a lot of sandwich menu items which the kids really seem to love. A lot of our sauces are being made from scratch ingredients and we are also working toward reducing sodium and added sugars in our meals."

Starting the Day with a Healthy Breakfast

Eating a healthy breakfast helps to fuel students and prepare them for the school day. Learn more about the benefits below.

An Overnight Success

With minimal effort and maximum nutrition, overnight oats are a convenient, tasty way to celebrate the flavors of Spring. Making and eating overnight oats is a huge time-saver, especially for busy mornings. Since the oats soak overnight, there’s no need for cooking—just grab and go! This not only cuts down on prep time but also makes for an easy, mess-free breakfast. Plus, overnight oats are packed with fiber, protein, and essential nutrients, keeping you full and energized throughout the day. Spring is here, bringing longer days, warmer mornings, and an abundance of fresh, juicy berries—perfect for upgrading your overnight oats. Berries will add a burst of freshness and flavor to every bite. It’s kind of like being an overnight success—except instead of fame and fortune, you wake up to a delicious, healthy breakfast! You’ll be feeling your oats in no time. Here’s a basic recipe to start off with. We use Ball glass canning jars as a good reusable and transportable vessel of your oats to take them wherever the day takes you.

Overnight Oats

⅓ cup milk
¼ cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup rolled oats
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons chia seeds(optional)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon or more to taste
¼ cup fresh berries

Combine milk, yogurt, oats, honey, chia seeds(optional), and cinnamon in a 1/2-pint jar with a lid; cover and shake until combined.
Fold in berries
Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours or overnight.

On March 2nd-8th, RCPS celebrated School Social Work Week. Check out the Q &A below, to learn more about the valuable work that Ms. Erica Jennejahn does as our school social worker.

Q: In your own words, can you share a few of the many ways you work to support our students and families as a school social worker?

"I support students in navigating social, emotional and academic challenges that arise during the day. We talk about strategies to overcome these challenges and develop plans to help them be successful daily. I partner with families to ensure basic needs are met (housing, food, counseling, transportation) so that kids arrive at school prepared for the day. I help families and students access community based counseling resources."

Q: What are a few common issues that you may address with students?

"Healthy relationships- friends and dating"

"Managing anxiety/depression symptoms"

"Conflict resolution and communication skills"

"Self-advocacy"

Q: As a school social worker, what is your role in supporting students’ social and emotional well-being?

"I oversee the division Mental Health Innovators team which provides various services and interventions for students. We offer classroom lessons, individual and group counseling, restorative conversations, conflict mediation, advocacy, etc. All of the members of our team offer a variety of supports."

Q: What are some ways that you promote a positive school climate?

"I work to teach kids and adults what a positive school climate looks and feels like."

Learn more about Ms. Jennejahn and the Mental Health Innovators team by clicking HERE.

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

The RCHS Band Mini Golf Fundraiser will be held on March 15th from 10-3 pm. Bring your friend and/or family for this fun event.

The RCES Family Engagement night is back. Join us on March 20th for an evening games, activities, raffles, food, and more!

The Fun Run is coming to both RCES and RCHS. Stay tuned for more details on this fun PTO fundraiser.

Check out this free outdoor event for dads and their children at Verdun Adventure Bound!

Looking for a FUN and affordable summer program for your child? Look no further!

The SPARK Day Camp (Summer Program for Adventure, Recreation, and Knowledge) is back for its second year, and we couldn’t be more excited for summer to begin!

RCPS, Headwaters, and the Child Care & Learning Center are teaming up once again to offer 8.5 weeks of action-packed day camp in June and July. Each week will feature new, exciting programs designed to keep kids engaged, active, and learning—all at an affordable cost. Campers will be grouped by grade level and supervised by trained adult staff and RCHS teenage counselors to ensure a safe and enriching experience.

Who Can Attend?

SPARK Camp is open to RCPS children who have completed kindergarten (ages 5-6) through 6th grade (ages 11-12).

Camp Schedule & Fees

· June: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

· July: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

· Cost: $125 per child, per week (due two weeks before each registered week)

· Includes: Snacks, transportation, and all program supplies

· Rain or Shine!

Special Opportunity for Summer School Students

Students recommended for RCES summer school can attend SPARK Camp for free in June! Simply register for SPARK and indicate summer school participation. Parents/Guardians will be notified in May if their child qualifies.

Camp space is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

SPARK Day Camp Registration, 2025 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefCNzwM2SnHEqZMymi6QbH_5ZV0FpEUmNKmxCvq6vue6AY9g/closedform

REGISTRATION CLOSES MARCH 17, 2025.

Don’t miss this chance for your child to have a summer filled with fun, creativity, and adventure!

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/

Required VDH School Vaccinations

Rising Kindergartener, 7th Grade, and 12th Grade Families- Learn more about the required school vaccinations below.

As a friendly reminder, the Health Department will be coming to Rappahannock County Elementary School to provide back to school vaccines for rising 7thand 12th grade students. This will be held on March 14, 2025, at 10 am. Please click the link below to schedule your appointment today.

Rising-Kindergartener-Packet_English.pdf

Rising-Kindergartener-Letter-Packet_Spanish.pdf

Download

674.7 KB