SLUSD
Employee
Wellness
Newsletter
2nd Annual BBVB Competition and SLUSD Wellness Fair

Save the date for March 27 and start training!

SLUSD PD day is just around the corner. Our lunch activity will again include a beachball volleyball competition, where competitors will try to unseat those mighty Garfield Gators from atop their championship position. If any groups would like a warmup match with the district team, let your site leaders know and get scheduled!
SPOTLIGHT ON SITE: McKinley Eagles & SLHS

The SLUSD School Board of Trustees and district leaders have been working their catering skills again to reward staff members at two of our school sites during January. From a sumptuous sit down spread at McKinley, to a grab and go gathering on the Pirate Ship, the sentiment was the same. Our SLUSD family works very hard for our award-winning school district and you deserve to be celebrated!
Make Time for Trivia
Attention avid Jeopardy watchers: Know a random fact or two? Love to test your trivia skills? Your district office staff is issuing a challenge to invite us to your next staff meeting or gathering to see if we are really as smart as we think we are! Email communications@slusd.us to coordinate. Did someone say prizes? That's a FACT!


Source: Healthline
$10 Off Monthly at OrangeTheory
Did you know San Leandro Unified School District employees can get $10 off monthly charges at Orangetheory fitness? Just bring in an ID badge to get your discount today! And first timers get their first class for free! Learn these ladies secret to feeling better HERE .
Preventing the Spread of Illness
Basic health best practices are the most effective way to protect yourself and others from the spread of illness. See this quick video from the World Health Organization for advice, and visit their website for even more resources.
More 2020 Financial Resolutions

Do you have a financial plan in place? The key is not to just make a plan but stick to it. Here are 10 tips from Schwab on how to DIY your finances.   For more on the SLUSD basic contribution limits for 2020, see the TSA Meaningful Notice / Plan Summary Information 2020 .
Claremont Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Effective March 1, 2020, the Claremont Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available for employees and family members of SLUSD. This program helps you resolve personal issues before they become serious and difficult to manage. You and your eligible family members can receive professional, confidential counseling at no cost. Claremont also provides access to resources that can help you address virtually any personal concern or question.

Wellness Wisdom Winners

Congratulations to Wilson's Janet Balsiger and Garfield's Angela Huong! Both will receive a $25 gift certificate from Amazon for sharing suggestions on staying committed to your New Year's resolutions :

  • Share goals with someone who can help hold you accountable
  • Don't be too hard on yourself if you fail
  • Reward yourself for each "milestone"
  • Set realistic and achievable goals
  • Use a monthly planner to track progress

This month's challenge is to share what you are most looking forward to with the coming of spring! Entries will be entered into our drawing.The winner will be announced in the next Employee Wellness Newsletter.
Pet of the Month
Meet Copper Felarca! Although his mom Michele, Personnel Services Coordinator for the district office, tells us he's just like a big dog, he's actually a 23 year-old, one-eyed miniature horse! Copper is a very vivacious member of an already very fun family, and likes to socialize with anyone who's willing to share a carrot or two! Congratulations to Copper and crew!

If you have furry friends who make your life special and who deserve a moment in the SLUSD spotlight, send photos to communications@slusd.us.
Keep Daylight Savings from Sapping Your Sleep

On Sunday, March 8th, SLUSD will spring forward by one hour, which can make you feel like you've actually lost a step. No wonder National Sleep Awareness week is March 8-14, and World Sleep Day is March 13th.

Planning ahead is the key to keeping your circadian rhythm from skipping a beat. In the days prior to the time change, going to bed earlier by as little as 15 minutes can make a real difference. For more information about improving your sleep, including mediation strategies for quieting your brain, visit the National Sleep Foundation's website at www.sleepfoundation.org.
Baked Asparagus Fries with Roasted Garlic Aioli
Asparagus is in season and what a way to get your vegetables in!

AIOLI:
  • 1 head garlic
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
ASPARAGUS:
  • 1 pound asparagus, cleaned and bottom ends trimmed
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs, lightly crushed
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS
AIOLI: Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
Slice the top one-third off the head of garlic. Place the bottom portion on a piece of foil, drizzle it with olive oil, and season it with salt and pepper. Place the top portion back on the head of garlic and crumple the foil to create a sealed packet. Roast the garlic for 30 minutes or until it has softened. (See this recipe for Roasted Garlic Macaroni and Cheese for additional step-by-step photos for roasting garlic.)
Remove the roasted garlic from the oven and squeeze the cloves into a medium bowl. Add the mayonnaise and lemon juice, mashing with a fork until combined. Season the aioli with salt and pepper to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to serve.

ASPARAGUS :
Reduce the oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a shallow baking dish, whisk together the egg whites with the mayonnaise. (The mayo helps the eggs adhere to the asparagus.)
In a separate shallow baking dish, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese.
Dip each asparagus spear in the egg mixture until it's thoroughly coated then dredge it in the breadcrumbs, pressing to secure them to the asparagus. Transfer the asparagus to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the breading process with the remaining asparagus, spacing them about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the asparagus with cooking spray and bake them for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Remove the asparagus fries from the oven and serve them immediately with the prepared roasted garlic aioli.
Roasted Artichokes

Castroville, the artichoke capital of the world, is right around the corner, and these nutritious delicacies are almost in season!

Ingredients
  • 1 lemon, plus lemon wedges for serving
  • 4 artichokes (8 to 10 ounces each)
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions
  1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 475 degrees. Cut lemon in half, squeeze halves into 2 quarts water, and drop in spent halves.
  2. Cut off most of stem of 1 artichoke, leaving about 3/4 inch attached. Cut off top quarter. Pull tough outer leaves downward toward stem and break off at base; continue until first three or four rows of leaves have been removed. Using paring knife, trim outer layer of stem and rough areas around base, removing any dark green parts. Cut artichoke in half lengthwise. Using spoon, remove fuzzy choke. Pull out inner, tiny purple-tinged leaves, leaving small cavity in center of each half. Drop prepped halves into lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes.
  3. Brush 13 by 9-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon oil. Remove artichokes from lemon water, shaking off some excess lemon water (some should be left clinging to leaves). Toss artichokes with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt and season with pepper to taste, gently working some oil and seasonings between leaves. Arrange artichoke halves cut side down in baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
  4. Roast until cut sides of artichokes start to brown and both bases and leaves are tender when poked with tip of paring knife, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer artichokes to serving dish. Serve artichokes warm or at room temperature, passing lemon wedges separately.
San Leandro Unified School District | communications@slusd.us | www.slusd.us