Commit to Be Fit Newsletter
April 18th, 2022
18 August 2023/ Issue No. 251
School is back in session for a new exciting year! Our theme for SY23-24 is "a broader scope." We are focusing on bringing together the ideas and successes of previous years in a bigger, better way. Plus, we will be widening our reach and impact! It's going to be a FANTASTIC year. Stay tuned for some exciting, HUGE announcements coming soon!
The Commit to Be Fit framework: a community case study of a multi-level, holistic school-based wellness initiative in rural Virginia
Exciting News! Commit to Be Fit is honored and delighted to be published in the Frontiers in Public Health journal, in the section: Public Health Education and Promotion. We are grateful to all of our amazing co-authors who contributed to the program, evaluation, and manuscript and the evaluators during the peer-review process of publishing. We hope this publication will add to the growing body of literature that supports school-based wellness programs and will reach a broader audience that may benefit from ideas that can be tailored to meet their needs in promoting a culture of wellness for students, staff, and community.
There is free access to this journal article if you would like to take a look and learn more about Commit to Be Fit. CLICK HERE TO VIEW.
School (and ABL) is Back in Session!
Students returned to the Action Based Learning Lab (ABL) on Wednesday, August 9th. This year, the lab will incorporate a greater focus on sight words in addition to the purposeful movement activities.
RCHS Strength, Fitness, and Personal Health Class
This year, Commit to Be Fit is teaching two Strength, Fitness, and Personal Health courses at the high school. This class is designed to prepare students with knowledge and skills to lead an active, healthy lifestyle now and throughout their lifespan. Students will acquire knowledge of physical fitness concepts, understand the influence of lifestyle on health and fitness, and develop an optimal fitness level. Additionally, students will better develop their cardiovascular system, muscular structure, and overall agility through weight training and plyometrics. Also, students will explore a variety of physical activity modalities to help them discover their active lifestyle preferences. Finally, this upper-level course will include various topics related to personal health to better prepare students for optimal health through their lifetime. The class is primarily taught by Jermey Gates with assistance from the rest of the team.
Summer of Fun Winners
Congratulations to our Summer of Fun prize drawing winners: Elizabeth Fox and David Gangel (adult category). Thank you to everyone that participated in this two-month challenge, which was designed to promote a variety of fun, movement activities. Stay tuned for upcoming challenges.
POP Bucks Market Bags & Tokens
Through a PATH Foundation grant, Commit to Be Fit is excited to continue the POP (Power of Produce) Bucks program to provide access to local food and support our local 2023 Farmers Market season. EVERY Rappahannock County Public Schools student has the opportunity to redeem a POP Bucks Market Bag, which will include local produce, protein, bread, and more! Plus, every student picking up a market bag will be given two $5 tokens to redeem for additional items at participating market vendors. To learn more and/or to sign-up for your appointment date (REQUIRED), visit https://www.rappc2bf.com/pop-bucks
*Once the sign-up is full for the upcoming weekend, the link will close. Be sure to check back each week for availability.
Our Harvest of the Month for August is the tomato! To learn more and view a caprese salad recipe, CLICK HERE.
Start Off Your Day with a Morning Routine
I know that not everyone is a morning person, but if you are hitting snooze repeatedly and then running out the door in a hurry, chances are you are missing out on the opportunity to best prepare for your day. You don't have to be a member of the 5 am club, but it's helpful to carve out 15-30 minutes each morning to focus on YOU before the day gets hectic. Below are some ideas to help get you in the right mindset to have a great day. Try a few of the seven suggestions below to see what works best for you!
1. Have a gratitude journal- Each morning, write down three things you are grateful for, big or small. Regularly doing this exercise will start your day with a positive attitude and help put stressors in perspective.
2. Incorporate movement- Even if you can only spare 5 minutes (but more is better), take time to get your blood pumping. Studies show that morning exercise can help increase your attention span and help you to feel more energized throughout the day.
3. Write out your to-do list- Prioritize the essential things you must tackle for the day. Putting it on paper (aka- having a plan) helps put your mind at ease and makes you feel better prepared. On the other hand, some people find this can add stress in the morning. If this is you, skip the to-do list until you get to the office or are ready to start your day.
4. Drink a big glass of water- Starting your day dehydrated will make you feel miserable and more tired. Be sure to incorporate a glass of water into your morning schedule, especially when drinking coffee or tea.
5. Take a cool shower- Warm showers are relaxing, but cool showers can help to make you feel more awake and energized. This is because cold water increases your heart rate and oxygen intake. You do not have to take this to an extreme, however. Simply adjust the temperature slightly until you find the right setting for you. Please note, if you have a serious heart condition or weakened immune system, consult your doctor before trying this tip, as a cold shower routine can be harmful for some.
6. Eat a healthy breakfast- We know that students are better learners when they have eaten breakfast; the same is true for adults. Eating after a night's sleep will help to jump-start your metabolism and get your body and brain running. Try to include carbs, protein, and fruit, such as a protein-packed cereal, milk, and a banana.
7. Listen to uplifting music- Music can be energizing. Play upbeat songs while getting ready (or exercising) to enhance your mood.
Back-to-School Nerves
Entering a new school year can be filled with so many emotions: Anxiety, nerves, sadness, excitement. Whether you’re a teacher, student or parent, everyone on some level experiences those “back-to-school nerves”. Often, they come along when we are faced with new opportunities and challenges, but in the end will teach us to persevere and push past our comfort zone in a positive way. Putting your child on the bus for the first time, teaching a new grade level or moving to a new school are all challenges some may be facing. To help with those jitters this year, try to prioritize your health and create a self care routine before these trials arise. Take an evening ride with family, watch a sunset on the drive, spend time with friends, treat yourself to your favorite treat, or listen to a favorite podcast. I know it is easier said than done, but taking the time to refocus and reset can make all the difference!
Vegetarian Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes
This week's recipe comes from Our Salty Kitchen and features our Harvest of the Month!
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.
As Kayla mentioned in her tip this week, self-care is extremely important for our health: mentally, physically, and emotionally. Above are 17 helpful ideas for educators (and everyone) to practice self-care.
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.