April Wellness Star

5/5/2020 11:13 am

 

 

 

Greetings from the Wellness Committee! We truly hope this finds you as well as possible during this time of adjusting to all the changes that have been brought on this month. 

We know this time has also brought on an increase of news, information, and screen time so we want you read this at a time that is good for you. A time that you are taking moments of self-care, a time when you are taking a break from daily work or school, a time when you are allowing yourself to read a little at a time. We want to provide some information and ideas that allow you to address the well-being of yourself, your family, our community, and doing what we can during this time.

Please keep in mind how teachers, administrative staff, healthcare professionals, custodian professionals, safety workers, store employees, city officials, and so many others in our community are doing their best to keep us safe, informed, and connected. Make sure to thank those who are doing their part during this time.

In this month’s edition we will be featuring information on how to Manage Quarantine (Move, Soothe, Connect), a link to March’s Wellness Star for ideas during this time, a sneak peek at the new Active Art, Star Spotlight with Ann Wyman and Julie Leonard, Star Shout Out, and Green Thumb News. Thanks for taking the time to read! Be well (as much as possible during this time.)

 

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Managing Quarantine ~ Move, Soothe, Connect

This information is provided by therapists and healthcare professionals from Prairie Care in partnership with South Lake Pediatrics. Thank you to Dr. Julie Ewasiuk for sharing this with us!

 

1. MOVE

Get out at least once a day for at least 30 minutes: If you’re concerned about contact, get out early in the morning or later in the evening or use less traveled streets or areas. Even open the window if you’re unable to go outside. It is amazing what fresh air can do for the spirits!

 

Get those endorphins flowing: Even a 5 minute round of jumping jacks, squats, sprints, or walk around the yard will get those feel good chemicals in place to give you a boost. Get up a few times a day to briefly stretch and move. Check off each day you do a physical activity on your calendar and see how many days in a row you can go. Be creative with items and the space you have around you.

 

Everyone find their own retreat space: Identify a space that each person can retreat to when stressed. Make it cozy, comfortable and clear from stress-inducing items. Mark it with a scarf, sign, or build a fort to identify it as your own. It is good to know that even when we are on top of each other that we have our own special place to be alone.

 

Start a long-term project to dive into: Now is the time to learn a new skill, do a 2,000 piece puzzle, attack that pile of pictures that you’ve never sorted, etc. Find something that will keep you busy, distracted, and engaged to take breaks from what is going on in the outside world. 

 

Stick to a routine: Try to go to bed and wake up at a time similar to prior to all of this. Write a schedule that is varied and includes time for work, school as well as self-care and connecting with others.

 

2. SOOTHE

Notice the good in the world, the helpers (as Mister Rogers would say): It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the information to take in during this pandemic. Try to counter-balance the heavy information with the hopeful information. Make a list or a poster to remember those stories of heroes, helpers, donators, and people who make you smile. 

Give everyone the benefit of the doubt and allow room for grace: A lot of cooped up time can bring out the worst in everyone. Each person will have their moments when they will not be at their best. It is important to move with grace through those times, to not show up to every argument you are invited to, and to not hold grudges and continue disagreements. Everyone is doing the best they can to make it through this.

Take moment by moment: “Chunk” your quarantine time by focusing on whatever bite-sized piece of a challenge that feels manageable and doable. Take one chunk at a time and move through stress in pieces.

Remind yourself daily that this is temporary: This too shall pass. It seems that in the midst of it this will never end. Please take time to remind yourself that although this may be scary and difficult and may go on for an undetermined amount of time, it is a season of life and will pass.

 

3. CONNECT

Reach out to others: Try to do FaceTime, Skype, Messenger Kids, Zoom, phone calls, texting – connecting with other people to seek and provide support. Don’t forget that kids may want this time to do this as well so set up a virtual playdate to stay in touch with friends.

 Develop a self-care toolkit: This can look different for everyone. Think of your senses (touch, taste, sight, hearing, smell, vestibular/movement, proprioceptive/comforting pressure) to put together what may be of help and comfort during this time. A self-regulation kit may be of comfort to kids as well. Have those go-to items in one place that will help in those moments. If possible, send a little piece of this to others who may need a reminder of self-care also.

Limit social media and COVID conversation, especially around children: One can find tons of information on COVID-19 to consume, and it changes minute to minute. Information can be sensationalized, negatively skewed, and alarmist. Find a few trustworthy sources that you can check in with, but limit it to a set time each day. Try to keep news and alarming conversations out of earshot from children as they see and hear everything and can become frightened by what they hear.

Get ready and dress for the day: Take time to take a bath/shower, brush your teeth, dress in comfortable clothes. Even dress for a special time or do a facial, something that makes you feel a little pampered. It’s amazing how our dress and cleanliness can impact our mood.

Need more ideas during this time to practice wellness for your physical and mental well-being? Check out March’s Wellness Star!

 

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Active Art

Have you heard about the new Active Art on the playground? Thanks to the vision of our art teacher, Lindsey Steding and a grant from Carver County SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Plan), this addition is available for all to enjoy! It includes Bullseye Target Ball Game, Sprint Lines, Copy Cat, Hopscotch, Nature Agility Circuit, and more.

 

Read more about the project and see more pictures here! 

 

Check out this cool drone overhead view of the playground! 

 

A HUGE thank you to the staff Wellness Committee (Kalie Klein, Jodi Stebbins, Lindsay Steding) for their hard work and to all the additional help from Katy Anderson, Kyle Johnson, Bob Fisk, Molly Nebel, Jeff Lenzmeier, Mackenzie & Ashlyn Steding and many others. We appreciate your dedication to wellness and the time and energy put into making this project possible. 

 

 

 

 

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STAR SPOTLIGHT

 

Ann Wyman, Building Secretary and Julie Leonard, Principal’s Secretary

We know Ann and Julie as the friendly, welcoming duo in the front office at Chanhassen Elementary. We greatly appreciate all that they do for the school, staff, students, and families. Thank you, Ann & Julie!

What is the favorite part of your job?

Ann: In my position I get to meet, greet and help so many students, staff and families that makes me so grateful. I feel grateful that I get to be a part of so many lives. 

Julie: My favorite part of my job is the variety. No two days are alike. In the front office we are always juggling duties; helping students, staff, and parents. I love all the funny things kids do. We always say we should have written them all down and written a book.

 

How long have you worked at Chanhassen Elementary? 

Ann: I started with Eastern Carver County Schools back in 1987.  After only eight short months I had to resign because I had twins. I came back in 1997 as a substitute and haven’t left. So you do the math to figure out how long I have been there. Some of the students I worked with when I started now have children that attend Chanhassen Elementary.   

Julie: 20 years! I can’t believe it. It’s flown by.

 

What was your favorite subject in grade school?  

Ann:  My favorite subject in school was math.  So it’s not a shock that my job involves so many aspects of math.  Since I do all the purchasing for the school, I love the challenge to get the best deal because it makes me feel good to save money for our district.  A penny saved is a penny earned and you never know when that penny will come in handy. 

Julie: Language Arts.  A good book is the BEST!

 

What brings you joy everyday?  

Ann: Knowing that I have a job and knowing that I can make a difference.

Julie: Being able to come to work every day, to a job that I love, coworkers that I love, and students that I love. I feel very fortunate, especially during these trying times. During our “stay at home” period, joy is found in family-time with my husband and two boys (25 & 28). We are cooking a lot more, and getting a lot of projects done around the house. 

What are ways you incorporate wellness into your life?

Ann: Gratitude recognition - It is gratifying to know that I have been a part of so many students lives and have made an impression on them. When students come back and say, “do you remember me?” you would be surprised how many I can call by name, not because they were difficult students, but something about them still after seven years or more has grown to be a part of me. Thank you to everyone for making me feel welcome and I hope I do the same to them.

Julie: As a family, we do a lot of outdoor activities. We love going to our cabin up North, where we do a lot of fishing (summer and winter), swimming, hiking, remodeling, and hanging out with family.  Nothing better😊  At home, my golden, Bella, brings me a lot of joy. She is the best cuddler, and always wants to go for a walk!

 

 

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Green Thumb News

 

Welcome to spring! With the beautiful weather upon us and the signs of the season popping up, it brings on a feeling of hope in what is to come. However, during these times, we need to consider some factors when it comes to community gardens and other information relevant to the season.

Thanks to the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners for providing information about what we can do in our own spaces, plus some other helpful tips during this season. 

 

Visit https://blog-yard-garden-news.extension.umn.edu/ to learn about: 

 

• Safety in community gardens
• Big ideas for small spaces – tips for successful container vegetables
• Information on caterpillars, centipedes, and safeguard from ticks
• Troubleshooting seed problems
• Yard to table 101: Plant some cool season veggies now

Use this website as a learning tool to create lessons in science, math, biology, art, or anything that can be taken from it. Gardening is a wonderful way to feel creative, to lessen stress, and spend time outdoors in a productive way. It is an activity that can be enjoyed individually or with the whole family. 

 

For more information about gardening, check out these additional websites and books:

• Kids Gardening – www.kidsgardening.org
  
• Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

Speaking of spending time outdoors, if you or your family would like to contribute some of your time to maintain the school’s garden, please help with weeding. The flower garden is in desperate need of cleaning up. Please bring your own gloves and tools and consider all the precautions during this time as far as safe social distance and protection. We greatly appreciate your time and help with this.

Thank you to Jessica Annis, Master Gardener, for contributing her knowledge and this information! 

 

 

 

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Star Shout Out

In honor of Principals Day, we would like to give a HUGE thank you to Mr. Lange and Mr. Kison for their leadership, energy, and dedication to Chanhassen Elementary! Even from a distance we feel your support and guidance. 

Students, teachers, staff, parents, EVERYBODY who is accepting the changes during this time and doing their best. 

ALL those who have and can help in any way:
- sending a note or text of encouragement to others
- checking in on friends, classmates, Chanhassen Elementary families
- contributing activity materials
- donating funds for meals
- reaching out to those through the Starry Night Fund
- sending words of appreciation to teachers and staff

Please check out the Chanhassen Elementary PTO Facebook page for current opportunities to contribute. Thank you!

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Remember to be patient with yourself and each other. Be kind during this time and always. Give yourself credit for doing your best. Thank those around you who are working hard during this time. Make the most of this time together. Take care of yourself and your family. Be well (as best as you can.) 

 

We want you to know that it’s okay to ask for help, to take a break, to have feelings of uncertainty. We will get through this. 

 

We wish you all the best as we take each day at a time. Stay well and do what you can to make each day one to learn, grow, and experience ways of compassion and positivity.

Sincerely ~ Erin Reisdorf and the Chanhassen Elementary PTO Wellness Committee (wellnesschanhassenpto@gmail.com)