March 2020
Curiosity
We are now in the home stretch of the 2020-2021 school year but the game has changed in so many ways. This is a time to look into these uncertain times and find creative solutions. As difficult as these times are, there are also some positive side effects by being asked to stay home and slow life down. More time in pajamas, less time driving. More stress about the quantity of toilet paper in the house, less pressure for state testing. More time to be with loved ones, less busyness. We can only hope that through these changes that our DCSD Healthy Schools family and their families are healthy, adjusting to this new normal, and finding some peace with it all.
Important Dates
Please check your email on March 24th for the "2020 Wellness Spring Celebration - RSVP". We are not sure whether our April 29th end-of-year celebration will take place in-person or virtually. However, we ARE sure that we are ordering some sweet sweatshirts for all of our leaders! You must complete the RSVP in order to receive a sweatshirt!
April 15th Please send us any health efforts you are trying with your students online! We have a tone bar and Hoberman ball to give away! Email all efforts to Laurie LaComb at lllacomb@dcsdk12.org
September 15th- Healthy Schools Workshop at the Highlands Ranch Mansion (crossing fingers all will be back to normal by then!)
Supports for Online Learning
HEALTHY SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT
We are here to support you in any way we can. If you are looking for a lesson on any of the WSCC components, such as physical activity, nutrition, mindfulness, Health Ed ideas, please reach out to Laurie at lllacomb@dcsdk12.org. Our team will work hard to find ideas and get them to you pronto!
MINDFUL SCHOOLS
For the next few weeks, Mindful Schools will be offering free mindfulness classes for kids! Join us online – for mindful activities, mindful movement, read-alouds – and let’s have fun exploring mindfulness together.
Free Online: Mindfulness Class for Kids!
Classes will be held on: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
10am PDT / 1pm EDT
Sign up for participation instructions
10am PDT / 1pm EDT
Sign up for participation instructions
😎😎😎😎😎
BOKS Physical Activity Breaks
Spider Bursts
Individual, in place
10 minutes, grades K - 8
Do each activity on the spot for 30 – 60 seconds
- Begin in a straight arm plank position.
- Right leg bends and is placed outside of right arm.
- Left leg kicks through right arm and right leg.
- Lift right arm and balance for 5 seconds.
- Return to the original position and complete exercise on left side.
- Repeat 5 times
Sports Galore
Individual, in place
10 minutes, grades K - 8
Do each activity in place for 60 seconds:
Do each activity in place for 60 seconds:
- Act like a Baseball player swinging the bat
- Act like a Basketball player shooting the ball
- Act like a Hockey player skating as fast as possible
- Act like a Football player and practice fast feet
- Act like a Professional Skier and practice going over jumps
- Act like a Tennis Player and practice your serve
- Repeat
Tabata Jacks
Individual, in place
10 minutes, grades K - 8
- 20 seconds of fast Jumping Jacks
- 10 seconds of rest
- 20 seconds of scissor Jumping Jacks (legs alternate front and back like scissors, arms swinging with legs)
- 10 seconds of rest
- 20 seconds of diagonal scissor jacks, where legs move forward on a 45-degree angle and back in, arms swinging with legs
- 10 seconds of rest
- Repeat this 10 times
*A tabata is a form of exercise that alternates intense activity with resting.
Squat Clap Challenge
Partner, requires space
5 minutes, grades 4-8
Stand facing a partner
Perform squat jumps at the same time as your partner and high five him/her each time for 30 seconds
Hold squat position while facing partner and clap hands (like quick high fives) with them as many times as possible for 30 seconds
Repeat 5 x
Switch partner and repeat steps 1-5
Perform squat jumps at the same time as your partner and high five him/her each time for 30 seconds
Hold squat position while facing partner and clap hands (like quick high fives) with them as many times as possible for 30 seconds
Repeat 5 x
Switch partner and repeat steps 1-5
Square Breathing Burst
Individual, in place
3-5 minutes, grades K-8
This square breathing exercise is a fast, fun, easy way to teach children about deep breathing and introduce the deep breath. Directions:
Begin in an easy seated position on the floor or in a chair.
Breathe in to a count of 4.
Hold breath for a count of 4.
Breathe out for a count of 4.
Pause for a count of 4.
Repeat.
Hold breath for a count of 4.
Breathe out for a count of 4.
Pause for a count of 4.
Repeat.
Variation: As you show this technique to the kids for the first time, draw a square in the air with your finger to model the Square Breathing Burst technique. Once you’ve modeled it for the kids, invite them to join you by drawing their own squares in the air.
For more Brain Break ideas:
Another brain break idea is to have your kids go outside and make as much noise as they can for 5 minutes. My friend back in Illinois did it with her students, they loved it!!
