Commit to Be Fit Newsletter
April 18th, 2022
15 December 2023/ Issue No. 268
The holidays are here! Commit to Be Fit would like to take a moment to wish you all a fantastic holiday season filled with joy, cheer, and laughter.
Grinch Smoothies
Ms. Mallory Grady, Regional Farm to School Associate, returned to RCES on December 14th, with Grinch Smoothie samples for the Harvest of the Month taste test. The students enjoyed the tasty green drink while learning tidbits about spinach. Check out the recipe below in our recipe section.
Photo by Mallory Grady
New Parents' Newsletter
On December 14th, C2BF released a new Parents' Newsletter for our families. This included family-friendly recipes, family activity ideas for break, tips, and more. To view this special edition newsletter, CLICK HERE.
ABL Wrap-up
As the semester concluded, ABL students received a BrainSTAR Achievement Award for their participation in class. Throughout the semester, it has been remarkable to see how they have mastered the movement foundations since the first week of school. Congratulations, BrainSTARs!
Sign-up Today!
We are THRILLED to announce that our 8-Week, At-Home Strength Training Program will kick off on Monday, January 8th! To participate, all you need is a pair of dumbbells. CLICK HERE to register today.
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars- Karen's Line Dancing is returning to RCES on Saturday, January 20th.
Walking Group
Due to the winter break, Walking Group will NOT meet on Dec. 18th, Dec. 25th, and Jan. 1st.
Lace up your shoes and join us for Walking Group on Mondays! This group meets at 3:45 pm at the RCES flag pole. Whether you are competing in one of our physical activity challenges or you would like to get a few extra steps in, we would love for you to come out and walk with us! This group is open to the entire community. Tell your friends or bring them with you!
Integrating Mindfulness Into the Holidays
Don’t let stress put a damper on your holiday spirit. Elevate your holiday experience by infusing mindfulness into everyday moments. Try starting your mornings with a mindful hot beverage ritual. Sip a warm cup of coffee. If you’re like me, maybe a cup of hot tea is preferred. Relish the warmth and flavors, engaging all your senses. When participating in festive activities like decorating or wrapping gifts, fully immerse yourself in the task at hand. Take notice of the textures, colors, sounds, and scents, allowing yourself to be present in the process.
Practice mindful listening during family gatherings and celebrations. Instead of anticipating your response, truly absorb what others are saying, cultivating real connections. Integrate short breathing exercises throughout the day, focusing on each inhale and exhale to center yourself.
A digital detox for a designated period during the holidays never hurt anyone either. Put away your devices and savor moments without distractions. Whether it’s a winter walk, a cozy evening by the fireplace, or a family game, relish the simplicity of these experiences.
Integrating mindfulness into your holiday routine will cultivate deeper connections with the season and those that mean the most to you. You’ll be less stressed, and have a more meaningful celebration. Shouldn’t that be what this time of year is all about anyway?
Make a New Holiday Tradition
The holiday season comes with good food, time with family, unwrapping of gifts and for many, family traditions. Holiday traditions are a way to get into the festive spirit and create memories together with family. Whether you’ve practiced the same tradition for years or looking for something new, here are a few ideas to try this season:
-Spend a day baking holiday cookies for friends and family
-Have a family gingerbread house contest
-Take an annual family ride to a light show
-Fill up stocking to give to underprivileged families
-Host a holiday game night
-Make a traditional family recipe
-Have a holiday movie marathon
Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy each moment of the season with those you love. Have a happy and healthy holiday!
Superintendent's Physical Activity Award Challenge
Join us in congratulating those who surpassed 2400 total minutes! Let's make some noise for Amy Grady, Carmen Aylor, Christy Taylor, Colton Ball, Elaine McCabe, Holly Jenkins, Jenny Kapsa, Jermey Gates, John Wiese, Katherine Todd, Kayla Midkiff, Kayla Robey, Kimberly Jones, Kelly Estes, Kreighton Long, and Matt Hummill. Check out our final leaderboard to see how everyone ranked by tier (platinum, gold, silver, and bronze).
Thank you to everyone who participated in this fun and motivating physical activity challenge. Your weekly effort was inspiring, and we truly enjoyed seeing the weekly competition between staff. It was so much fun that we decided to do it again! By request, we will be launching another Superintendent's Challenge in January! Only this time, we will have new prizes (stay tuned) and have made some tweaks based on feedback. More information will emailed to staff once we return from break.
Teacher Resources
RCPS Teachers-- As a friendly reminder, we have a massive database of brain breaks (PreK-12) and movement games/activities with SOL and content integration ideas (PK-5). CLICK HERE to view the Teacher Resource page. If you prefer, the C2BF team would be happy to come to your classroom and lead a brain break, activity, or even a mindful minute. Email c2bf@rappahannockschools.us to schedule a push-in.
Commit to Be Fit is a school sponsored, grant funded program in Rappahannock County, Virginia. Through the generosity of the PATH Foundation, Commit to Be Fit was created to promote a culture of wellness in Rappahannock County Public Schools and the Rappahannock community.