SLUSD's Monthly Employee Wellness Newsletter
Brought to you by the Employee Wellness Committee  
Employee
Wellness
Newsletter
February 2019
Sweet Sentiments
At Roosevelt Elementary, the sentiments from Kindness Week continue to send positivity into February. Principal Kumamoto shared the diligent work his staff has put into helping their students understand the importance of goodwill, which has had made their school staff also feel the change. Swing by Roosevelt in the next few weeks if you need a smile!
February is Heart Health Month
February is American Heart Health Month. Weight Watchers created a list of common misconceptions and truths, along with helpful tips and ,of course, a delicious recipe. To access this information, click here. Also, take a moment to check out Weight Watcher's 30-Day Self-Love Challenge.
Challenge yourself to be good to yourself, because you deserve it!
Physical Activity Improves Memory
“Even short walking breaks throughout the day may have considerable effects on improving memory and cognition,” says Michael A. Yassa, PhD, professor at the University of California, Irvine, and director of the UCI Brain Initiative. This news helps to promote the message that even small amounts of light exercise (30% of VO2max) can have powerful benefits.

Researchers in Japan designed a study to determine whether lower-intensity exercise would be sufficient to stimulate parts of the brain involved with memory and to shed further light on mechanisms related to how physical activity improves cognitive functioning.

The study observed that connectivity in the hippocampus and surrounding regions—parts of the brain related to memory formation and storage—was better after the exercise than it was before the bout.

“The hippocampus is critical for the creation of new memories; it’s one of the first regions of the brain to deteriorate as we get older—and [this decline happens] much more severely in Alzheimer’s disease,” according to Yassa.

Shirley Archer. “Mild Physical Activity Improves Memory.” Www.ideafit.com , 4 Dec. 2018, www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/mild-physical-activity- improves-memory.
Financial Fitness - Couch to $5K
Having a hard time saving for retirement? Like starting an exercise plan, taking small steps and working your way up to more distance, more time or more strength makes it easier to meet your personal goals. In the same way, you're more likely to start a successful savings plan by starting small. It only takes a few steps.

Choose a reachable goal. Don't think you can go from saving nothing to $5000 a year. That's okay! Set up a savings goal that is attainable for you right now. Even $25 a month can be a great way to ease yourself into the habit of saving. Then you can raise your goal as your financial picture changes.

And if you don't quite make it to your goal, at least you're in the race. Remember, compound interest will make your money work harder over time, so the sooner you start, the better-even if it's just a modest amount.

Know your fees. Fees can take a big bite out of your savings. To make it easier to hit your retirement goals, make sure you know all the fees you're paying and choose a low cost provider.

Make it automatic. The district offers payroll deduction for your 403(b)/457 plan, take advantage of this. Or, set up automatic deductions through your bank or credit union. It makes saving for retirement super convenient.

Ready to get started? Visit MidAmerica SpokesKids
Wellness Work @ SLUSD
Garfield Elementary
With the Resilience in School Environments (RISE) grant and RISE Coach Amy Chou, Garfield has focused the last 18 months on community-building and staff well-being. The RISE Leadership Team helps coordinate:
  • quarterly staff retreats 
  • wellness buddies for teachers
  • peer-to-peer best practices room visits 
  • staff empathy circles @ lunch
  • a community wellness room
Washington Elementary
Every month, teacher Laura Fox puts out a sign up sheet in the Washington staff room reminding everyone about the monthly salad bar. Staff sign up for whatever they want to bring. It's a healthy way to bring everyone together, classified as well as certificated staff. Everyone enjoys their lunch and each other's company. 
Madison Elementary
The Mustangs go bowling at the Manor every Wednesday after collaboration time from 3:45 - 5:00pm. Principal Garry Grotke and staff are challenging all other sites to send their best four bowlers to go up against the best four Madison bowlers...or just to join them for fun. RSVP with Garry so he can reserve the lanes.
SLUSD City Hall
Think Dress Up Days only happen at school sites? Down at City Hall, staff coordinate theme days to support strategic goal #3: A Collaborative and Engaged District Culture. For example, Sparkly Shoes Friday brightened a dreary weather day. City Hall staffers know when you look good, you feel even better!
Wilson Elementary
Free ZUMBA for staff this Wednesday 3:00-4:00pm in the Cafeteria

Wilson has also received a grant for professional development and counselor training in Neuroplasticity ( The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.)
If you have staff wellness activities going on at your sites, please contact Keziah Moss or Zaira Duncan to get your message out!
Wellness opportunities in your backyard!

Learn more about these programs and more at the San Leandro Recreation and Human Services website HERE .

Traditional Chinese Feng Shui Class
Wednesday, February 20, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Manor Library, 1241 Manor Boulevard
Learn how to apply traditional feng shui principles to home, business, and life. Manu Butterworth, Founding Director of Golden Gate Feng Shui School in Oakland will be in San Leandro to present this class.

FIT Aerobic Dance Fitness
Senior C ommunity Center
February 12, 2019
Tuesday from 6pm to 7:15pm
Get fit while having fun dancing to original choreography set to a wide variety of music. Improve strength, coordination, balance, stamina and overall health.

Intro to Taiko
Senior C ommunity Center
From March 1, 2019 to April 19, 2019
Each Friday from 7:45pm to 9:15pm
Except the following dates:
Friday,March 22, 2019
Taiko is the art of Japanese drumming, which develops self-expression and musical creativity. Drums will be provided.

Line Dance Company- Beginner
Marina C ommunity Center
From March 7, 2019 to March 28, 2019
Each Thursday from 7pm to 9pm
Dance to Country, Latin, Hip Hop, Swing, Disco and much more. Enjoy listening and dancing to Italian, Chinese, Spanish, French, and Tagalog music. No previous line dance experience necessary.

San Leandro Family Aquatic Center
14900 Zelma Street(510) 577-SWMN (7966)
T he San Leandro Family Aquatic Center (SLFAC) is located at Washington Manor Park. This dynamic, state of the art facility offers an activity pool with zero depth entry and water play structure, three 25-yard lap lanes, a "spray" ground, and a 17-foot tall water slide.

Adult Swim Lessons
From March 5, 2019 to March 28, 2019
Each Tuesday from 6:30pm to 7:15pm
Each Thursday from 6:30pm to 7:15pm

From March 9, 2019 to March 30, 2019
Each Saturday from 8:30am to 9:15am
Columbia Sportswear Employee Store Community Program
Columbia Sportswear is offering SLUSD employees the opportunity to shop at their employee store in Richmond via invitation throughout the year. SLUSD employees would be given the "Employee Pricing", typically ranging 40-50% below retail price. Our first invite begins on 2/15/19 and goes through 3/10/19. This invite is timed with Columbia's End of the Season sale, which means we will have access to selected seasonal items discounted an additional 30% below the typical wholesale prices. If you are interested in checking out what is available, you will need to show proof of employment, such as your pay check stub or your school ID as well as SLUSD's invitation. Enjoy!
Recipes of the Month
Sesame Crusted Salmon on Kale
I ngredients
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • Pinch of salt
  • 4 salmon fillets (4 oz. each)
  • 4 tsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp minced ginger
  • 8 cups kale
  • 1 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Combine sesame seeds and salt on a plate
  3. Press each salmon fillet in seeds to evenly coat 1 side.
  4. Heat 2 tsp oil in large, oven proof skillet over medium heat
  5. Cook the salmon, seed side down for 5 minutes
  6. Transfer to oven and cook for 10 minutes per inch of fish or until fish easily flakes with fork.
  7. Meanwhile, add remaining 2 tsp oil to another pan set over medium.
  8. Add garlic and ginger; saute 1 minute
  9. Add kale and saute 5-8 minutes until wilted
  10. Stir in soy sauce, once done, serve salmon atop kale

Number of Servings: 4
Spicy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients
  • canned diced tomatoes(29oz, fire roasted with garlic
  • 3 Tbsp canned tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle variety chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 large uncooked zucchini, cut into 3/4 inch diced pieces
  • 2 cups frozen corn kernels
  • 1 15oz can black beans
  • 1 15oz can pinto beans
  • 2 medium poblano chile, seeded and diced
  • 3/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 to 1 cup of water
  • 3/4 tsp salt

Directions
  1. In a 4-quart or larger slow cooker, combine tomatoes, tomato past, oil, both types of chili powder and cumin. Add zucchini, corn, both types of beans and poblanos, stir to mix well.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW setting until vegetables are tender, about 6 hours.
  3. Stir in cilantro and enough water to desired consistency; season with salt.
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