April 25, 2018
Local School Wellness Council News
Hello Wellness Teams,

It's been wonderful to see many of you using grant funds to support wellness goals at your schools! You have assessed your needs, worked on an action plan and are now moving forward towards meeting the needs of your local school community. Thank you for all your work!

A few reminders for the coming weeks:
  1. Please make sure to complete the LSWC Survey by April 30th. You should have received an invitation email from [email protected]. This email includes an individualized link to the online survey. If you did not see this email in you inbox, please check your spam/junk folders. If you have not received the email or cannot find it, please contact me or Nour Elshabassi at [email protected].
  2. All purchases must be made by May 31st. 
If you'd like to share something that your school is doing, please email me with the details.


Best, 
Gaby Massie 

TCI Healthy Montgomery - School Wellness Coordinator 
(240) 630-4229
MCPS Wellness Initiatives


Nutrition Education/Physical Activity workshop Fox Chapel E.S/ Teacher led Zumba after school club at Gaithersburg E.S

Audubon Naturalist Society working with 2nd grade students at Beverly Farms E.S
Active Seating in MCPS Classrooms:
Takoma Park, Washington Grove, Fox Chapel and Gaithersburg E.S

Kinesthetic Balance cushions:  Easy to store and can turn any chair into an active seat.
Stand up desks: Add some leg risers and convert your tables into standing desks.

Active Seating Pin Chart: seating options for students at a Washington Grove classroom
Standing Yoga Balls. 

Mindset Marathon at Washington Grove E.S: All grades rotated through a rotation of 5 stations during the day. The stations taught kids to focus and to believe in themselves.

Preschool Education Program (PEP) Fitness Night - Washington Grove E.S.
Wellness Resources 

Healthy Celebrations: Browse through these links and get some suggestions on how to incorporate non-food or healthy celebrations into the classroom. Rather than cupcakes. schools are celebrating kids with alternative options. Ideas include: pick out a prize box filled with birthday pencils, stickers, erasers, and tattoos; bring your favorite book and have the teacher or parent come to read; get names read on the morning announcements; or be the VIP of the day. 
Play works video library: Check out some online learning mini-courses from playworks. Topics include: Build a better recess, Facilitate games, Manage groups, and Resolve Conflicts. There are some great character building activities integrated with social-emotional learning and FUN play. Find the resource here.
 
Community Engagement School Garden Workshop: Learn how to use  community to strengthen your garden program and use your garden program to strengthen school community!  The teacher workshop will be held on April, 27th, 12-4 PM at  Friendship Woodridge International School, Friendship Public Charter Schools,  2959 Carlton Avenue, N.E. Washington, DC 20018. The workshop is limited to 30 participants. Details and RSVP here.
 
UMD Grow It Eat It Spring 2018 Open House: The UMD Open House is an opportunity to visit the garden, meet with Master Gardener consultants, attend classes, participate in demonstrations, browse tables of information, and purchase plants. The event  will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018, 12-4 PM at  Agricultural History Farm Park,  18400 Muncaster Road,  Derwood, MD 20855. Details and RSVP here. 

Demonstrations will include: 
  • Experts to answer edible gardening questions and help plan this year's garden
  • Large Plant sale from local suppliers starts at 11am
  • Children's Programs
Gabriela Massie  | TCI Healthy Montgomery | 240-630-4229 | [email protected]