Everyday Wellness

• Wellness Wednesday Sign Up Sheet
• OSBA Convention
• October Wellness Reflections
• Gratitude Buddies
• SSD Glimmers
• Gratitude Guided Meditation
• Question of the Month
• Walker Tracker Challenge
• Kindness Matters
• Wellness Retreat- The Teaching Well
• Dance Fitness

• 15 Cozy Fall Dinners in 25 Minutes

• November Happiness Calendar (on the way)

In addition to Wellness Snacks in the staff lounge during lunch, we have the following activities available for you to participate in.

SIGN UP HERE

Laser Tag (20)

Please arrive at 2:45 for check in. Bring a water bottle for in between games and appropriate shoes and clothes. Located inside the carousel mall.

Seaside Museum (10)

Enjoy a relaxing guided tour of the history of our city through historical photographs and stories.

Restorative Yoga (20)

Join us in a gentle stretching yoga session followed by a relaxing soundbath! Located at Living Fit Yoga, 1775 S Roosevelt Dr, Seaside, OR 97138

Hammer and Stain (20)

Choose a craft with our new friends at Hammer and Stain. 1775 S Roosevelt Dr Suite c, Seaside, OR 97138.

Bowling (16)

Pottery on the Wheel (7)

Join Mr. Dierickx in the SHS art room on the second floor for some pottery time.

Ornament Making Pottery (8)

Join Lauren Fisher and Linda Perme at the community pottery center for a 2 month ornament project.

Walk on Your Own and/or in Nature (50)

Take a break and walk on your own- in nature, on the beach, in your neighborhood, or around the school. Get your steps in and let the tension go!

We are excited to present our SSD wellness program this month at the OSBA Conference. Our presentation is on prioritizing wellness for staff and students. This is a wonderful opportunity to share with other districts our journey of how our program started, developed, and continues to evolve as a way of encouraging and inspiring other school districts to adopt a program of their own for those who may not know where to start. Thank you for choosing wellness and supporting our program.

On October 4th, you got the opportunity to enjoy a wellness activity outdoors. Which activity did you choose? Did the opportunity impact your life in a positive way? If not, how can we improve your experience?

Surreys!

"Yes I would do it again! We laughed so much and looked up houses on Zillow. Stopped at The Cove. A beautiful day! I felt happy all evening and again when I saw my fellow pedalees."- Rachel Whisler

"Time for self care was amazing! The weather was perfect for a surrey ride around Seaside and it was great to get to know coworkers. I would love to bike Ft. Stevens. While fun I would likely choose another activity next time."- Sara Fisher

"I loved the surrey rides! It was very fun to get out and do an activity that I would never do without the encouragement from our Wellness team! It was a BEAUTIFUL day in Seaside. An absolutely perfect day to get out on a surrey and enjoy the beauty of downtown Seaside. I loved riding around with my coworkers and enjoying our time together in a carefree environment. I'm not sure I would ride the surrey again (turns out it's kind of hard!), but would love to give the boats a try next time!"- Stephanie Wheatley

Volunteerism on Ridgeline Trail

"I enjoyed sweat-equity and giving back to our school and community. Beautiful day too!"- Kate Manship

"It was great to be working outdoors alongside fellow staff."- Trent Rollins

"We worked up a sweat trying to get the trail ready for the cross country meet. I would choose to do this again."- Matthew Johnson

Dog Walk

"The chance to take a walk outside, with dogs, and coworkers was a great wellness gift. I got the chance to get to know 2 new collogues that I don't work with very often. We made connections, got exercise, and spent time together with our dogs. I greatly appreciate the opportunity, and had a lot of fun! Thank you Wellness!!! I would definitely choose this option in the future."- Melissa Rigby

" It was super fun! I am always open to play dates with my Collie. A small group of us were able to walk the trail by the estuary and let our dogs run free. All of them were happy and tuckered out by the end, and of course the good company with those I don't normally hang with on a regular basis. A win-win for everyone."- Natalie Dyroff

Golfing

"This was so fun! I love being able to enjoy time with coworkers while also playing a sport I enjoy! I would love to be able to golf again!"- Christina Young

"It was great!! Wish we could do more activities outside. Yes it was a great activity and I got to play golf with some guys I really enjoy. We could do more activities outside."- Andrew Higgins-Feyen

Bike Riding at Fort Stevens

"Bike riding was great! It was a beautiful day and I was able to bring my daughter with me. She absolutely loved being out in nature riding her bike with the grown ups."- Becky Seybold

"Yes yes and yes"- Ethan Guzman

Oceanview Games

"I really enjoyed hosting games. We cracked up a lot, and I especially loved that some folks from the SHS office came up. I really value the different mixes of people I get to spend time with on Wellness Wednesdays. Thanks again for all of the thought you folks put into this. I'll host games whenever you want!"- Kristi York

Rope Course

"The ropes course was awesome! I would definitely sign up for it again. It was a a great experience for myself and to connect with colleagues."- Nicole Hummel

Gratitude Buddy Sign Up Form

Would you like to participate in our "SSD Gratitude Buddies" the week before Thanksgiving Break?

This is an opportunity to connect with your colleague in a new way, exchanging gratitude notes with others who are looking to ber more intentional about giving and recieving gratitude. If so, please complete this quick sign up sheet. This is such a lovely way to start a gratitude practice in your life or experience gratitude in a new way. If not, that's okay! Below are some tips to get you started with a gratitude practice that works for you this season.

• Each day (or as fits with your schedule) write down 3-5 new things you’re grateful for each day. Either buy a dedicated journal (choose one that makes you happy!) or create a “Gratitude Jar.” Write entries on small pieces of paper and drop them inside.
• If you like, write down why you’re grateful for people/places/things. What do they add to your life? How do they support or nourish you?
• Practice a gratitude meditation. There is one linked to this newsletter but there are many out there.
• Write a letter/email to someone you appreciate. Maybe acknowledge someone from the past you never properly thanked.
• Practice random acts of kindness; give others a reason to be grateful (with spillover effects for you.)
• Say thank you as often and as meaningfully as you can.
• The moment you open your eyes in the morning, smile and give thanks for a new day of possibilities. In the last moments before sleep, review the best parts of your day.
• Have a look at what your mind labels “good” and “bad.” Some of life’s most difficult moments offer unexpected gifts. (My cousin reminded me of this when he sent me this parable.)

"I was recently in a public space and witnessed an older couple holding hands. This was a glimmer on a bad day I was having because it reminded me that love and connection is valuable and important throughout peoples' lifetimes. Even just witnessing love and connection can bring a glimmer of happiness."- Amber Bowman

"My consistent glimmer is noticing when anyone helps others, whole heartedly. Students helping students, staff helping staff, and especially staff helping students with their full attention. That’s what makes education so rewarding. I also feel inspired when I hear community members asking impassioned questions to manifest the vision of continuous improvement. I’ve witnessed many successful adaptations to instruction even in a short time at SSD. And those improvements happen only when we possess the glimmering hope to ask, “how can I serve students even better?!”"- Nancy Cook

"I was browsing B&N with my youngest a while back. They picked out a vinyl record to buy. It was a CD I used to play in the car when they were in elementary school. That shared love of the music, and fondness of driving around aimlessly, really made my heart happy."- Toni Vandershule

"A few glimmers in my life:

"While Builders Club was selling concessions at the SMS football game last week, a double rainbow appeared above the field. It was a beautiful evening and I was touched by the kindness of our kids who handed out a Prime drink with an encouraging note to each of the football players after the game. This sort of comradery between clubs and players very special to witness."- Jenn Gooch

Helping and being kind not only contributes to the happiness of others, it can also help us to feel happier ourselves! Studies have shown that when we do kind things it can literally give our brain a boost, activating its ‘reward centers’ and that feels good. It can take our minds off our own worries too.

When was a time that you chose to give or help others that boosted how happy you felt? What contributed to that?

"I was at a fast food restaurant and the person in line in front of me was ordering their food. They didn't have enough money (short a couple of dollars) but was struggling to understand what the worker was saying and why he wasn't able to get two sandwiches. I stepped up and offered to pay the difference. He was overjoyed and gave me a big hug and told me I was a wonderful person. Shortly after that his personal support worker came in and he joyfully told her about my kindness. Seeing how much joy just $2 could bring someone gave me a lot of perspective and also made me feel happy and joyful for him. I was also happy at the thought that his joyfulness (and that of his PSW as well) could potentially be spread to other people."- Amber Bowman

"I was able to join our fifth grade teachers at outdoor school last week. It was an awesome break from the normal routine, but it also presented many opportunities to impact the lives of others in a different way. Of course I was there to support students, however, some of the more memorable moments involved the interactions with the other teachers at camp. Our evening discussions and game time may not have solved all the problems with education, but we gave it a try. Opening up and sharing with my colleagues helped make connections and allowed us to forget about the challenges and struggles of the daily grind back in the "real world.""- Chuck Albright

"I am boosted by others kindness. Some staff are aware that I keep a "Remember my Why" book where I keep positive comment notes, cards, pictures from students. This goes a long way in in keeping my cup filled."- Jeremy Catt

"I chose to help with the SEPRD Fall Fun Fest by supervising Builders Club kids who worked with set up, carnival booths, refreshments, crafts, and clean up last week and the entire evening was one big bright glimmer! Children connecting to their community in a fun and active way brought smiles to everyone who participated and is so worth every minute of extra time put in."- Jenn Gooch

It is not too late to join our SSD Walker Tracker New Zealand Adventure!

Walker Tracter Helpful Tutorials

• How do I get started?
• How do I connect and sync my device?
• What are some tips on Walker Tracker?

Stay Connected Tutorial

• How do I stay connected with friends on Walker Tracker?

Walker Tracker Link- SSD

• Click the above link and click "Register Now" to create an account with your school email.

What are the health benefits of kindness?

• Helping others feels good

• Helping others can also improve our support networks and encourage us to be more active.

• Helping others is thought to be one of the ways that people create, maintain, and strengthen their social connections

• It helps to keep things in perspective

• Doing good may help you to have a more positive outlook about your own circumstances.
• They may also encourage others to repeat the good deeds they’ve experienced themselves – contributing to a more positive community
• With everything that's going on in the world, now is the time to help make a kinder society that improves our mental health

— THE TEACHING WELL

At our latest Wellness Retreat, we reported on what we learned from the OEA Choice Trust Wellness Conference in Roseburg, Oregon and how we can apply our new knowledge of somatic practices to staff and students within our district. There was an amazing presenter named Lindsey Fuller, from The Teaching Well, which is a non-profit wellness organization founded on Ohlone land in Oakland, CA composed of teachers, school/district leaders, and healers that build the supports for educators so they can stay healthy, connected, and, ultimately, in roles that bring about liberatory change for their communities. We brainstormed ways that we can support staff leaning towards collective care with additional connection opportunities and reflected on what is working as well as our areas of growth.

Dance Fitness with Yasmin Archer is back at the PRE gym Mon. & Frid. nights @ 6:30pm! #dancefit

"Dance Fitness with Yaz is so FUN!!!! It is a total mind, body, spirit experience. Learning and memorizing new moves for my mind- a TOTAL calorie- burn workout for my whole body-- and laughing with friends while experiencing the joy of dancing is such great therapy for my spirit. I seriously walk out of there red faced, sweating and on such a high stoke level every time!"- Beth Catt

A delicious dinner can be on your table in 25 minutes or less when you make one of these recipes from Eating Well. Warm soups, creamy chicken skillets and stuffed potatoes all bring out that cozy feeling we're craving in the cooler fall weather. Recipes like our Minestra Maritata (Italian Wedding Soup) and Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce are comforting and flavorful.

• Minestra Maritata (Italian Wedding Soup)

• Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
• Chicken & White Bean Soup
  
• Cheesy Spinach-&-Artichoke Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
  
• Skillet Sour Cream & Onion Chicken
  
• Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl
  
• Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs
  
• Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
  
• Chicken Cutlets with Tomatoes & Olives
  
• One-Pot Chicken Alfredo
  
• Creamy White Chili with Cream Cheese
  
• Marinara Meat Sauce Topped Baked Potato
  
• Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Spinach & Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
  
• Chhole (Chickpea Curry)
  
• 20-Minute Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Pesto Sauce
  

Wellness Coordinators

Kathryn Zacher (Pacific Ridge)

Jenn Gooch (SMS)

Toni Vandershule (District Office)

District Office

Sarah Spalding

Pacific Ridge Elementary School Building Leaders

Chuck Albright

Debbie Hillman

Seaside Middle School Building Leaders

Natalie Dyroff, Wendy Crozier, Karma Herd, Shelby Gagnon

Seaside High School Building Leaders

Julie Greene, Vihn Pham

Bus Barn Building Leader

Tonya Wilson

Contact us at wellness@seasidek12.org

Follow us on Instagram @ssdeverydaywellness

Join us on our SSD Facebook group