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Its popular in our neck of the woods for school PTOs to organize about 2 weeks of after school enrichment classes for the students. It is a huge undertaking by parent volunteers, but the kids love it and it makes … Continue reading
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Now is a great time for PTOs to plan big changes for the next year so that they can budget for them in advance. It’s time to get educated on Market Day. I know a big chunk of money goes … Continue reading
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Remember Wellness Club lesson plans can be used for After School Enrichment classes, Girl Scout and Boy Scout meetings, and more. This one combines using your imagination to design a super hero’s control panel with making a finger-licking-good Energy Ball … Continue reading
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Many P.E. teachers and other teachers are intimidated by teaching yoga to their students. They have visions of zen-hippy yoga teachers talking in melodious sanskrit to their students and think that they dare not go down that path! Most teachers … Continue reading
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My husband Gary is helping plan his high school’s health fair this year so we’ve been brainstorming lately. Local health-related vendors tend to be the direction most schools go for their fairs, but unsurprisingly kids really aren’t interested in most … Continue reading
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Common sense tells us that movement and nutrition should be top priorities for creating a healthy matrix-an environment that encourages wellness and growth, but less-known ‘mindfulness’ is a huge health component that is finally coming out of the closet. The more I practice mindfulness techniques myself and see the difference they make in my life, the more I feel a strong survival instinct to teach kids what I’m learning. There’s no reason for the next generation to wait until they are forty years old to learn simple tools promoting happier and healthier lives, right?! Continue reading
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Most of us have become “active couch potatoes”. We may take an hour trip to the gym and our kids may go to a sports practice, but the rest of the day is mainly filled with sitting in the car and sitting at a desk. Kids aren’t getting enough movement at school either and often the first place schools make financial cuts is with their PE program. Its not just their bodies that are suffering either.
I agree with Dr. John Medina, author of NY Times Bestseller Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School when he says, “if you are in education, you are in the business of brain development.” In his book, Rule #1 is Exercise Boosts Brain Power. Continue reading
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Many foods start as REAL food when they enter the factory, but through heavy processing are turned into scary frankenfoods that are confusing our immune systems and causing a slew of health problems in our kids.
There are many theories about which real food diets are best, and families in your school will follow diverse diets ranging from vegetarian to paleo. Whichever path they are on, there is no dispute that real food reigns over processed food. Educating on the importance of unprocessed, nutrient-dense food and offering support for families who are trying to JERF, should be the number one priorities of your Wellness Club. Just Eat Real Food! Continue reading
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We are often most unmindful around our family because they are the people who are stuck with us! Haven’t we all noticed that we react in negative ways quicker with our own children than with other people’s children?! Unmindful behavior … Continue reading
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I’ve talked about how providing healthy food choices in school doesn’t usually work and the chocolate milk dilemma is one example. Two milk cartons are sitting side by side, one unflavored and one sweetened to the nines. Does it surprise anyone … Continue reading
Matrix Wellness Club 