We are Wellness
April 5, 2021
“Committed to the health and wellness of the Leicester Public Schools' staff, students and community.” - Wellness Committee Mission Statement
Awareness
Autism Awareness Month: By Joanne Forsythe
Friday, April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day and April is Autism Awareness Month.
According to the CDC, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a bio-neurological developmental disability, generally appearing before the age of 3, that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less. A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder.
Facts about Autism from the National Autism Association:
Autism now affects 1 in 54 children; over half are classified as having an intellectual disability or borderline intellectual disability
Autism is diagnosed four times more often in boys than girls. Its prevalence is not affected by race, region, or socio-economic status.
Autism itself does not affect life expectancy, however research has shown that the mortality risk among individuals with autism is twice as high as the general population, in large part due to drowning and other accidents.
Currently there is no cure for autism, though with early intervention and treatment, the diverse symptoms related to autism can be greatly improved and in some cases completely overcome.
About 40% of children with autism do not speak. About 25%–30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age and then lose them. Others might speak, but not until later in childhood
Autism greatly varies from person to person (no two people with autism are alike)
The rate of autism has steadily grown over the last twenty years
Comorbid conditions often associated with autism include Fragile X, allergies, asthma, epilepsy, bowel disease, gastrointestinal/digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, PANDAS, feeding disorders, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, OCD, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders, immune disorders, autoimmune disorders, and neuroinflammation.
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder, yet most underfunded
Following are additional resources for general information about Autism Spectrum Disorder if you are interested in learning more about ASD or have a family member or loved one affected by ASD.
Autism Speaks is one of the leading autism science and advocacy organizations. Autism Speaks provides a comprehensive resource guide for all states. The site also boasts an impressive list of apps that parents may find useful, including games that focus on communication and social skills.
Autism Society includes helpful resources for those with autism, family members, as well as professionals. Autism Society also gives updates on the latest autism news and press releases.
The Autism Research Institute focuses on researching the causes of autism, as well as developing safe and effective treatments for those currently affected by the disorder.
IBS Awareness Month
If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you are not alone – IBS is common with prevalence estimated at 10% to 15%. Yet many people remain undiagnosed and unaware that their symptoms indicate a medically recognized disorder.
In 1997, the International Foundation For Gastrointestinal Disorders designated April as IBS Awareness Month. During this time, they work to focus attention on important health messages about IBS diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life issues. IBS Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about IBS. This event encourages people who have symptoms of IBS to seek medical advice. A further aim is to reduce the stigma associated with IBS by encouraging people to talk more about this condition
Click here to read the 2021 IBS Awareness Month press release
FACTS about IBS:
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, and altered bowel habit (chronic or recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or both – either mixed or in alternation).
IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States. About 2 in 3 IBS sufferers are female. IBS affects people of all ages, even children.
The exact cause of IBS is not known. Symptoms may result from a disturbance in the way the gut, brain, and nervous system interact. This can cause changes in normal bowel movement and sensation.
Stress does not cause IBS. However, because of the connection between the brain and the gut, stress can worsen or trigger symptoms.
The impact of IBS can range from mild inconvenience to severe debilitation. It can control many aspects of a person's emotional, social and professional life. Persons with moderate to severe IBS must struggle with symptoms that often impair their physical, emotional, economic, educational and social well-being.
IBS is unpredictable. Symptoms vary and are sometimes contradictory. Diarrhea can alternate with constipation. Long-term symptoms can disrupt personal and professional activities, and limit individual potential.
Treatments are available for IBS to help manage symptoms. Not all treatments work for all people. Although IBS is common in the general population, few seek medical care for their symptoms.
Approximately 20 to 40% of all visits to gastroenterologists are due to IBS symptoms. For those with IBS an additional burden comes from living in a society where the word "bowel" may scarcely be spoken. Individuals must cope with multiple symptoms that affect every aspect of their lives. Those around them may be unaware of the impact, or even the existence, of the disorder.
IBS can only be diagnosed by a medical professional.
April is Distracted Driving Month!
Click on the blue links for more information
Texting while Driving: OMG!
2,841
Lives lost in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2018.
Teen Drivers
2,121
People killed in car accidents involving teen drivers (16-18 years old) in 2018.
3,142
Lives lost in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2019 (10% increase from 2018).
Teen Drivers
237
Teen (15-19 years old) distracted drivers were involved in fatal crashes in 2018
Source: Overview of the 2019 Crash Investigation Sampling System
U DRIVE. U TEXT. U PAY.
Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. While drivers texting behind the wheel tops what seems like an endless list of distractions, other risky actions include talking — whether it be on the phone or to others in the car, setting your navigation, adjusting what you’re listening to, drinking coffee, applying makeup, and more. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.
Drive Responsibly
April, which is national Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is a good time to regroup and take responsibility for the choices we make when we’re on the road. Follow these safety tips for a safe ride every time:
Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location. Only then is it safe to send or read a text.
Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
Do not scroll through apps, including social media, while driving. Cell phone use can be habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
The Consequences
During a portion of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, from April 8 through 12, you may see increased law enforcement on the roadways as part of the national paid media campaign U Drive. U Text. U Pay. This campaign reminds drivers of the deadly dangers and the legal consequences – including fines – of texting behind the wheel. Also, on April 8 state highway safety offices and law enforcement agencies across the country will take part in Connect to Disconnect. The goals: to demonstrate a nationwide commitment to enforcing texting laws, and to reduce traffic crashes caused by distracted drivers, ultimately preventing injuries and deaths associated with cell phone use and texting while driving.
Remind your friends and family: If you’re in the driver’s seat, it’s the only thing you should be doing. No distractions.
If your driver is texting or otherwise distracted, tell them to stop and focus on the road.
Ask your friends to join you in pledging not to drive distracted. You could save a life. Share your pledge on social media to spread the word — #JustDrive.
Massachusetts has had a Safe Driving Law effective as of September 2010. The law bans sending, typing or reading electronic messages to or from handheld devices while operating a motor vehicle. This includes use of the internet and text messaging. The law also bans all handheld electronics by junior operators while behind the wheel.
Hands-Free While Driving Massachusetts law prohibits operators of motor vehicles from using any electronic device, including mobile telephones, unless the device is used in hands-free mode. The “hands-free” law is effective as of February 23, 2020. Penalty for violating the hands-free law: 1st offense – $100 fine.
Every Kid Healthy Week April 26-30 2021
Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month
By: Beth Johnson
April is Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month, and although we may like to believe that “that doesn’t happen in Leicester,” it’s important to know that it can happen anywhere - and there are well-established resources to help victims. One such resource is RAINN - the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. After assault, it’s hard to know how to react. Victims may be physically hurt, emotionally drained, or unsure what to do next. Learning more about what steps to take following sexual violence can help ground victims in a difficult time.
The most important message is that victims are not alone, their voices will be heard, and they do have a place to turn. Each school in the district has administrators trained in Title IX law, school counselors who use trauma-informed practices, and school nurses who can help students through any situation with compassion and strength. If you or anyone you know has questions, please do not hesitate to contact any trusted adult in your school.
Mental Health Check
It is Stress Awareness Month
Stress can be good and bad. The amount of stress you experience can also lead to or exacerbate physical illnesses. The five most common factors that contribute to stress are: money, work, family, economic outlook, and relationships.
HOW Stressed are you?
Take the quiz to find out
https://www.mhanational.org/get-involved/stress-screener
What to do when you are stressed:
Take a break: sometimes you just need to step away and do something relaxing/enjoyable
Get outside: go for a walk or play a game of basketball with friends.
Don’t be afraid to talk about it- talk about it with others. Sometimes people just need to vent. Talking with others can also provide the opportunity to problem solve and ask for help.
Self Care: Body, Mind, and Spirit By Donna McCance, M.Ed.
Wellness: “Keeping it Simple and Easy to Understand”
Spring has sprung, and the topic of getting into shape has come up! In this issue of “We Are Wellness,” we are addressing the value of designing a Wellness Program for ourselves that we can stick to by keeping it simple and easy to understand.
Many of us have been there, with the best intentions. We want to get fit and lose some pounds by starting off with an aggressive plan to get it done, with quick results. But before long, we find ourselves getting bored and tired, with little to no results. Time goes on, more pounds added, feeling unhealthy, and then we start the cycle over again.
Craig Shapiro, a physical fitness and wellness educator with over 32 years of experience, recognizes that “in the wellness industry, it’s not difficult to find thousands of videos and articles on fitness and wellness. It’s the new craze! While this is excellent news, the complexity it has caused can be daunting and scary.”
In an attempt to minimize the confusion and encourage lifelong wellness habits, Craig recommends a simple program to help us understand what much of wellness comes down to: T.E.A.R.S. As a teacher, coach, and trainer who loves acronyms, T.E.A.R.S. is his favorite. “The simplicity and ease of understanding make it something that any person, whether novice or expert, can readily understand.”
T.E.A.R.S. stands for:
T: Training
E: Eating Clean
A: Asking Questions
R: Rest/Recovery
S: Stress Reduction
Below is Craig’s basic description on how T.E.A.R.S. should be developed.
T - Training. When I speak of exercise, I always put it into the context of training, not working out. The reason for this stems from the concept that movement is purposeful. While working out can also be purposeful, too often it's fraught with lots of talking and too little action. Training lends itself to goal-oriented improvements, not wishful thinking.
E - Eating Clean. The diet industry is a multi-billion dollar money-making machine. It's no wonder this is the case. So many people want a quick fix to the best body. Guess what, eating clean is an awesome step in the right direction! When I say "eating clean," I mean eating a selection of foods naturally grown or minimally processed. Veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy grains/nuts are the way to go.
A - Asking Questions. This may seem like a strange category in the wellness field, but my experience tells me it's one of the most important. Frequently, new and even more advanced exercise folks don't understand the "why, what, and how" wellness works. Instead of just watching a video or reading an article, it’s best to seek help and ask questions to those who are most knowledgeable.
R - Rest/Recovery. We all know the incredible importance of sleep. Not getting enough rest causes many health issues if it’s lacking over a long period. How we recover from training, stress, and our daily lives influences how we feel, look and even act. No person can go hard or even train effectively without getting adequate rest. Rest/recovery is a key to overall fitness improvement.
S - Stress Reduction. Just as sleep is essential for the body, lower stress levels are vital to the mind. All of us carry stress from time to time. It's human nature. But the amounts we have and how we deal with them are essential. Learning to take a break, focus on the positive, and avoid negativity is critical. Even something as simple as 10 minutes of yoga/meditation can do wonders if it's done regularly.
A great start toward asking questions and seeking knowledge is to focus on the ingredients that are in the foods you are eating. Most foods have the ingredients listed on the container, and many times you will be surprised by the calories, fats, carbohydrates, sugar, and salt content, in addition to other facts about what you are putting in your body.
According to Craig, “T.E.A.R.S. isn’t some pie-in-the-sky acronym of dreams. Each word carries a level of importance that can't be understated. If any one of the letters is missing, the rest will suffer. Again, we don't need to be perfect. Just learning to balance our training, eating, knowledge, rest, and stress will do wonders.”
Check out Craig’s video he created for us that explains T.E.A.R.S.
About Craig Shapiro
I’ve been a Health and Physical Education teacher, coach and trainer for 32+ years. I started at the elementary school level and then transitioned to the secondary level, where I’ve been for the last 27 years. Most of the time while teaching, I’ve also coached a variety of sports, mentored other teachers, and also trained clients about wellness. I’m married with two children, and also have three dogs. Wellness and teaching has been a passion of mine since I was 18 years old, and it still continues today.
Craig Shapiro is passionate about wellness as an achievable lifelong habit. If you need help developing your T.E.A.R.S., he is happy to help you and can be reached at Boomerizzy@gmail.com Twitter: @Shapiro_WTHS @Positively_Well.
National Minority Health Month: By Rev. Doreen Oughton
Race / Ethnicity and Health: This newsletter is full of information about how to improve your health - eat good food, stay physically active, calm your heart, challenge your mind. Is it only what we do as individuals that determines our health? Most would agree that the genes we inherit from our parents also play a part, and accidents happen, but are there even more factors in the equation? Statistics show that there are differences in how racial and ethnic groups fare in terms of health challenges. There are some conditions that are much more prevalent in certain populations than in others. Cystic fibrosis is most common in people of Northern European heritage; Sickle-cell anemia is most prevalent in populations with sub-Saharan African ancestry but also common among Latin-American, Middle Eastern populations, in Turkey, Greece, and Italy; Tay–Sachs disease is most common among Ashkenazi Jews, French Canadians, Cajuns of Louisiana and Old Order Amish of Pennsylvania. There are 36 rare diseases that are far more common among the Finnish people than anyone else. These trends are related to region and ancestry and what is called the founder effect.
But there are other health trends in the United States that have a different cause. Overall health is measured by looking at life expectancy, how often diseases occur, and the outcome of having a disease. There are differences in racial and ethnic groups in all these markers, and differences in access to health care. At every age except the most elderly, Black people have the highest death rate. When it comes to cancer, African-Americans have the highest death rate and the shortest survival. African Americans are 1.4 times as likely as whites to have high blood pressure and are much more likely than people in other racial/ethnic groups to die from heart disease and stroke. These two conditions are the biggest reasons for inequality in life expectancy between whites and Blacks. African-Americans are twice as likely as whites to have diabetes. Black, Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native people have the highest asthma rates, deaths and hospitalizations. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have the highest rate of liver and stomach cancers and are twice as likely as whites to die from these conditions. Hispanic people and Mexican Americans fare better than other groups of non-whites AND whites in terms of longevity and the presence of diseases such as heart disease (35% less than whites) and cancers (49% less).
These trends are not related to ancestry or the founder effect, and are less about race than they are about racism. The Wellness team encourages people to make good choices when it comes to their health, but we acknowledge that often, for many people and especially for non-whites, choices are limited. People of color often have fewer options for healthy food, less access to health care, and when they do seek help for medical conditions, they may face prejudice or language barriers. They are exposed to more pollutants in the air, in the ground and in the water. They frequently encounter the stressors of bigotry and prejudice that wear on the mind, spirit and body. The disparities were highlighted in the COVID-19 pandemic, with people of color experiencing higher frequencies of infection and death.
So what do we do with this information? Awareness is important. We can’t fix what we don’t see. People who have the advantage of good health options can advocate for these options to be made available equally to all people. Those who face barriers to good health can be strong advocates for themselves and seek the support of groups or agencies working to close the gaps in health and wellness between races. For more information see www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/patient-support-advocacy/reducing-disparities-health-care.
Nutrition News
Staying Active
WALK FOR GOOD HEALTH!
The American Heart Association celebrates April as Move More Month, with the first Wednesday (April 7th this year) as NATIONAL WALKING DAY! Did you know that walking is one of the most versatile forms of exercise, because you can do it just about anytime, anywhere! Here are some resources to help celebrate!
Also, continue to get your 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity daily exercise for a strong, healthy body! Refer to this Fuel Up to Play 60 Homeroom link, a digital resource packed with fun videos and physical activity ideas updated each week!
Wolverine Den
Forgot to put on deodorant? Didn't brush your teeth? Need a winter coat?
This month starting April 5th everyone will be back in school! Remember to tell your friends about the Wolverine Den and stop in, we are so excited for everyone to come back! Every donation is greatly appreciated and helps us keep our shelves full for the people that need it.
The main goal of the Wolverine Den is to provide fellow students and staff with things they may not be able to afford, or something you may have forgotten. When you come to the Wolverine Den there is only room for support and absolutely no tolerance of judgement. It is a safe place that anyone can come to and take what they need with no questions asked. Some of the many things we provide are clothes, shoes and toiletries. The Wolverine Den is located in the back of the Nurse’s Office in Health Suite 200. To access the Wolverine Den simply go to the Nurse, Ms. Moffat and ask!
COVID Corner
Community Resourses
Autism Alliance autismalliance.org 508-652-9900
HMEA: Autism Resource Central autismresourcecentral.org 508-835-4278
Adcare Hospital (Addiction Support) adcare.com 508-453-3053
Center Tree Counseling LLC (Substance Use Disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ASD, ADHD) 508-731-9006 (Rutland), 508-885-0788(Spencer) centertreecounseling.com
MA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (for mental health) (MSPCC)-Worcester www.mspcc.org 508-753-2967
Behavioral Healthcare Services (individual/family counseling, psychiatric services, physical/sexual abuse evaluations, ADHD evaluations) www.bhsdab.com 508-753-5554
The Wellness Committee of Leicester Public Schools
Melissa Ledbetter: ledbetterm@lpsma.net
Laurie Cascione: cascionel@lpsma.net