If you weren't able to make it to the wellness expo on November 1, have no fear, there is a second date! Mark your calendars for November 15 from 6:30 - 10:30. We have vendors from all aspects of health coming to share their knowledge and resources with you! So don't miss this chance to focus on what matters...you!

CPS Employees enjoyed free BodyPump and BodyJam classes with Coaches Vesta and Kim with Wilson's Fitness! Thank you to everyone who joined in on the fun! Stay tuned for future employee fitness activities!

Showcasing CPS leaders and champions who personally model healthy behaviors and truly believe in creating opportunities for school employees to take better care of themselves!

Cortni Gonzalez, Math Teacher

What her coworkers say about Cortni, "Cortni exemplifies dedication and hard work. Every morning, she's at the gym at 5:30 a.m. She educates her athletes and students on the importance of lifting and fueling your body with proper nutrition. She's a great role model for our female athletes."

If you want to nominate an employee to be spotlighted for their wellness efforts, fill out this short Google Survey.

In our busy workdays, it's easy to overlook the impact of simple gestures like saying "thank you" or recognizing a colleague's hard work. However, practicing gratitude and appreciation in the workplace can significantly boost morale, strengthen relationships, and create a more positive and productive environment for everyone.

Taking a few moments each day to acknowledge a teammate's effort, celebrate small wins, or even reflect on what you're grateful for at work can improve your own well-being and help foster a culture of mutual respect and support. Whether it's a quick message of thanks or a shout-out during a meeting, these small acts go a long way in making your workplace a more rewarding place to be.

During this season of thanks, let's all make an effort to cultivate a culture of appreciation. When we acknowledge each other's contributions, we create a workplace where everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best!

We have yet another fun opportunity for CPS Employees to get some fitness in! We have teamed up with Parisi Speed School for the month of November to bring you two opportunities to attend a class with their coaches!

What is Parisi?

Parisi is backed by 30+ years of experience and education not only in youth performance but also adult performance. Our coaching staff is here to help you reach your goals! All the sessions are coach led with the best certified coaches. Parisi sessions focus on the term we like to call "Functional Strength". Functional Strength training readies your body for daily activities. This training style equips you with the most important type of physical fitness, the kind that helps you in real life. We use the base three movements (squat, press, hinge) and accessory movements to help you prepare for everything you want to do in life!

If you want to experience this free opportunity for CPS staff, join us on either November 7 or 21 at 6:30! Parisi is located inside MAC on 2900 Forum Blvd. All levels of fitness are welcome to train with Parisi coaches! Click on the link of the class you would like to attend below.

November 7th at 6:30pm

November 21st at 6:30pm

We look forward to seeing all of you there and learning about yet another great fitness opportunity available to us here in Columbia!

For those who have participated in our employee step challenges, you are familiar with the Move Spring App. For those who haven't participated, I encourage you to download the app because we are thrilled to announce the launch of new features on this employee wellness app. CPS pays for our employees to have a membership to this app designed to take your health and wellness journey to the next level.

Introducing the Explore Tab

The new Explore Tab is your gateway to a comprehensive wellness library, offering an array of resources to help you live your healthiest life. Whether you're looking to increase your physical activity, improve your nutrition, or find peace of mind, we have you covered. Inside the Explore Tab, you'll now find:

• Workout Videos: From quick stretches to intense strength training, brown a range of routines suitable for every fitness level.
• Healthy Recipes: Discover nutritious, easy-to-make meals that will fuel your day.
• Meditation Videos: Unwind and de-stress with guided meditation sessions tailored to help you relax and find balance.

Create Your Own Challenges

We know how motivating a little friendly competition can be! Now, you can take charge of your wellness goals by creating your own challenges within the app. Whether you want to challenge your team to a step count showdown, set a personal goal to drink more water, or encourage your whole building to move together, the new feature lets you design challenges that fit your needs whenever you want.

Wellbeing Calendar

The Wellbeing Calendar is a feature that allows you to view and engage with various CPS Employee Wellness Events. This will be your one stop shop to see everything that Be Well is doing for you!

I encourage you to take some time to explore the new features today, and don't hesitate to start your own challenge to get the ball rolling! Let's continue building a healthy, thriving workplace together.

We just finished open enrollment which made me think about health insurance and the benefits of employer health insurance when it comes to wellness.

Don't underestimate this benefit. Spending time and effort looking for private health coverage on healthcare.gov or on a state-sponsored online health exchange can be confusing and stressful. When an employer offers group health insurance, you get to avoid that search. Speaking of online health exchanges did you know that group health insurance saves us employees thousands of dollars per year. Full-time CPS employees save $8328 annually because our health insurance premiums are 100% covered.

So why am I talking about health insurance and wellness? Because I want to challenge all employees to establish care with a primary care provider (PCP) or obtain one preventive screening in the next year. We constantly hear about how we need to exercise, eat healthy, sleep more, but did you know that getting preventive health care is just as important? Simply put, primary care helps prevent illness and death. PCPs can detect early signs of disease, coordinate your health care, and cover all bases including mental health.

So take advantage of our health insurance and schedule a preventive visit!

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, reflect on our blessings, and enjoy a delicious meal together. However, many of us feel pressure to restrict or overthink our food choices during the holiday. This year, let's focus on savoring the experience without guilt.

Rather than stressing about calories or portion sizes, take the time to fully enjoy the flavors, textures, and aromas of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Eat mindfully by listening to your body - allow yourself to indulge in your favorite foods, but also pat attention to when you feel satisfied. It's okay to enjoy everything from the turkey to the pie!

Remember, Thanksgiving is about more than just the food; it's a moment to celebrate togetherness, gratitude, and joy. By allowing yourself to enjoy the meal, you'll create a more positive and fulfilling experience, one that nourishes both your body and spirit. So, relax and enjoy every bite this Thanksgiving!

Self Care Tips for Teachers digital workshop - Join a community of inspiring educators, administrators, and community leaders in a powerful self-care workshop that will nourish and heal your mind, heart, and body. In this digital workshop, Breathe For Change's Founder & CEO, Dr. Ilana Nankin, will guide you through transformative wellness practices you can draw on in your daily life to sustain a personal self-care practice! Click here to take a listen.

November 10 @ 4:30 - Love Your Life! Uncover & Embrace Your Inner Strength & Beauty Are you waking up day after day, feeling like life is passing you by? Are you tired of feeling like you're just going through the motions, never truly living your life to the fullest? Are you fed up with the constant ache in your heart, longing for more but now knowing where to find it? It's time to confront the consequence of letting this go on. In this virtual workshop, we will unlock the incredible potential that has been lying dormant within you. During this transformative workshop, you'll discover a newfound confidence and empowerment that will propel you to take charge of your life. Click here to learn more and register for this virtual event!

November 28 @ 8:30am - 2024 CoMo Thanksgiving Fleet Feet Turkey Trax Get your family together and run/walk on Thanksgiving morning! The Turkey Trax is an even that brings everyone together, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and a whole lot of fun! The event will start and finish on 4th & Cherry by Flat Branch Park, touring through scenic Columbia's downtown-The District and beautiful University of Missouri Campus. Lace up your running shoes, your turkey-themed attire, and let's make new memories together by registering here!

Spring 2025 - Healthy Spring with NutriZou Free nutrition coaching, Telehealth or in person with dietetic students at Mizzou. See flyer below.

Below are local gyms that offer educator discounts to CPS Staff. To download the PDFs, you must open this newsletter in the internet browser by clicking "view in browser" at the top.

This newsletter is brought to you in collaboration between the following CPS departments:

• Nutrition Services
• Occupational Health
• Physical and Health Education
• Psychological Services (Outreach Counseling & School Psychology)
• School Counseling
• School Nursing