SLUSD's Monthly Employee Wellness Newsletter
Brought to you by the Employee Wellness Committee  
December 2018
Words of Wisdom from Wilson
Anyone who has spent a moment with Wilson Elementary’s Virginia Quock knows she brings the power of positivity to the principal’s role, and she relishes sharing that power with her fortunate staff. Readers of her weekly newsletters benefit from her shared strategies on mindfulness and self-care that she collects from her prolific weekend readings. “I’ve been fortunate to have gone through multiple trainings (RISE, Toolbox, etc.) on how to integrate mindfulness into classrooms,” said Quock, “And I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learned to successfully transform some of my particularly difficult classrooms. I’ve also been able to use what I’ve learned over the years to transform my outlook on our difficult jobs.”  

Quock explained in her younger years, she struggled with rage and anger which came to a head when her young son faced life-threatening health issues. “My research into mindfulness was fueled by my need to feel better. I got tired of being angry and frustrated all the time,” said Quock. She now journals, meditates, and experiments with ways to address the uniquely cumulative stress that builds for educators throughout the school year.

In a recent staff newsletter, Quock shared an article from Edutopia about renewal for educators during Winter Break: “ Use the Winter Break to Renew Your Spirits and Sense of Purpose” by Todd Finley She noted the article is NOT about catching up on work during the break, but instead, seeing the time as an opportunity for recharging, relaxation, and mindfulness practices specifically for those in education. Heading into the holidays, Quock advises giving yourself permission for self-care and permission to take a break. “If you take care of yourself,” said Quock, “You will find a way to get through the hard stuff when we return.”
Skate Into the Holidays!
Want to supercharge your holiday spirit while getting a little much-need exercise? Strap on some skates and slide into 2019 at some of these local seasonal outdoor rinks!

  • Old Oakland Holiday Ice Rink - at the corner of Ninth and Washington, Oakland. Open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. until Jan. 6. First-ever outdoor Oakland ice rink!

  • The Little Ice Rink - South Shore Center, 523 South Shore Center, Alameda. 3-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.-Sun. until Jan. 15.

  • Walnut Creek on Ice - 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Open until 8 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. and 11 p.m. on Fri. and Sat. until Jan. 21.

  • Ice at the Veranda - The Veranda, 2001-2003 Diamond Blvd., Concord. Open M-Th from 4-9 p.m., Fri. from 4-11 p.m., Sat. from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. from 11 - 9 p.m. until Feb. 18.

  • Holiday Ice-Skating Rink at Union Square, S.F. from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., daily.

  • Winter Park Ice Skating Rink - Civic Center, S.F. Noon-6 p.m. daily until Jan. 6.

  • Embarcadero Center Holiday Ice Rink - Embarcadero Plaza, across from the Ferry Building, S.F. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. until Jan. 6.

  • California Academy of Sciences Ice Rink - 55 Music Concourse Drive, S.F. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat; 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun. until Jan. 6.
Self Care Reminder
Courtesy of Kaiser Permanente
Recipes of the Month:
Vegan Orange Immunity Booster Smoothie
Ingredients

1 cup Pureed Pumpkin
1 Banana (frozen)
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 tsps Ginger
1 tbsp Ground Flax Seed
3/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
2 Navel Orange (peeled and sectioned)
1 tbsp Maple Syrup

Number of servings: 2

Prep time: 10 minutes
Directions

1. Throw all ingredients into your blender and blend very well until creamy. Pour into
glasses and enjoy!

Notes:

No Pureed Pumpkin?
Use steamed sweet potato instead.
More Protein?
Add protein powder, hemp seeds or nut butter.
No Maple Syrup?
Sweeten with raw honey or soaked dates.
Sweet Potato Crostini with Pomegranate &
Goat Cheese
8 ingredients · 35 minutes · 8 servings
Ingredients
2 Sweet Potatoes (medium, sliced)
1 1/2 tsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/8 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 cup Goat Cheese (crumbled)
1/2 cup Walnuts (toasted and chopped)
1/4 cup Pomegranate Seeds
1 tbsp Raw Honey
1 1/2 tsps Thyme (fresh leaves)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Add the sweet potato slices to a bowl and drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and sea salt over top. Mix well. Place them in a single layer on the sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Flip and roast for 5-10 min .more.

3. Remove the sweet potato slices from the oven and top with goat cheese, walnuts,
pomegranate, thyme and drizzle with honey. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes

Serving Size: There are approximately two sweet potato crostini per serving.

Dairy-Free: Use a cashew cheese instead of goat cheese.

Nut-Free: Use toasted pumpkin seeds instead of walnuts.

No Pomegranate Seeds? Use dried cranberries instead.

No Thyme? Use rosemary, or another herb of your choice instead.

Prep Ahead: Bake the sweet potatoes ahead of time and then reheat before topping and serving them.
Halls are Decked on the SLHS Pirate Ship
Enjoy these works of art, courtesy of the San Leandro High School students and staff. Have a wonderful, restful holiday break and we look forward to seeing you in 2019!
San Leandro Unified School District | [email protected] | www.slusd.us