San Leandro Unified
Employee Wellness
Newsletter
Welcome to Friendly February!
We need our friendships more than ever this year! Let's focus on doing our best to be a good friend to all. An act of kindness and connection ripples out and impacts on so many more people than we realize, and it also boosts our own happy hormones! In times of stress people can react more quickly than they would normally, so let's show compassion, kindness and try to keep calm. 
Upcoming SLUSD's Wellness Workshops

Thank you to all who attended our January workshop on Mindful Stress Management! We hope you found the resources helpful in navigating a challenging school year.

Future sessions are as follows:

WHEN: Thursday, February 25 from 3:30-4:30
WHAT: Topic: Work/Life Balance

WHEN: Thursday, March 25 from 3:30-4:30
WHAT: Topic: Preventing Burnout

These sessions are limited to the first 100 participants to allow for interactivity, so make sure you get these on your calendar TODAY!
How is your Claremont Employee Assistance Program (EAP) working for you? We really want to know!
Hopefully, you have noticed our increased efforts to get the word out about our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Now we want your feedback!

Have you had a chance to use their many services? If so, how was the support? If you attended our Wellness Workshop, facilitated by EAP counselors, how helpful was it? f you haven't yet taken advantage of the many resources available to you as a SLUSD employee, why not?

Leave us some feedback at this link and let us know how we can improve our services!
Feeling Zoom Fatigue? Six Ways to Stay Social That Don't Use Video Cameras
Maintaining social connections is important for mental and emotional health. Read more here.
Mindfulness Quiz

Do you savor life or let everyday stresses control you? In other words, how mindful are you?
Important Information on your Section 125 Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care Accounts (DCA) 

In response to the impacts of COVID-19, the federal government is updating rules regarding spending deadlines and carryover limits for Section 125 plans. Many FSA and DCA participants have not been able to use their FSA or DCA contributions because of shelter-in-place orders and business closures. The new provisions for temporary relief will be implemented to provide flexibility for those who are enrolled in Healthcare Flexible spending accounts and Dependent Care Accounts and have unused funds. Such provisions would allow unlimited carryover. All unused funds in FSA and / or DCA's may be carried over to 2021 from plan year 2020 and carried over to 2022 from plan year 2021. More information will be sent out soon regarding the requirements and grace periods. 


Electronic Employee Educational Materials
East Bay Regional Park District Activity Guide

Don't miss the January/February edition of the Regional in Nature Activity Guide for ideas on how to get active outdoors- especially with a week off coming soon! This edition covers Groundhog Day, Marvelous Murietta Falls, Ambassador Animals, Outdoor Winter Activities, and even a Candy Cap Mushroom Ice Cream Recipe!
Spotlight: Washington Elementary

Those Wildcats have brought a virtual approach to helping their students understand the powerful tools they have in our social-emotional toolbox. And guess what...we adults have those tools too! This quick presentation demonstrates the "Please and Thank You" tool in Spanish, so we are offering two health benefits in one.



If you have wellness excellence happening at your site, share the knowledge with the greater organization at communications@slusd.us. Help keep us all #SLUSDstrong!
SLUSD Pet of the Month
Stevie Bella Donna Quock

Say hello to this radiant new member of Wilson Elementary Principal Virginia Quock's family!

Stevie came from the Animal Rescue in San Francisco, where she found herself after her previous owner had health issues and could not care for her.

Virginia took inspiration from her original name of Belladonna to launch her into her new life as Stevie - looking at all of you Fleetwood Mac fans out there.

Stevie loves to play frisbee and can even catch it in the air! She's also a huge fan of stuffed animals, birds, and pretty much any kind of fun that can be had.

She is officially Virginia's best friend, who is available to talk about her at any time, all the time.

We want to see your pets and hear their stories! Send your photos to communications@slusd.us and share the love and licks today!
Activity & Break Apps to Help You Move!
Do you find yourself sitting for long periods of time? Research shows that this is not only bad for your overall health, it actually LOWERS productivity and focus. A free movement app may be the virtual reminder you need! Check out this list of free or low-cost apps designed to remind you to move - at least a little - throughout the day.
The Surprising Secret to Healthy Aging


You probably know that exercise and diet are important when it comes to aging well. But there is something else you control that can help you along: a positive attitude.

When You Feel Like Complaining, Try This
This tip can help you and your kids break your complaining habit and find something to appreciate. From our friends at the Greater Good Magazine
MINI HEART-SHAPED SUPREME PIZZAS
PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES COOK TIME: 15 MINUTES

You don't need a reservation this year to still enjoy a special valentines day. Keeping it simple, but still delicious is what this recipe delivers.

Ingredients

1 pkg. homemade or store bought pizza dough
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 lb. ground chicken sausage
1/3 cup diced green pepper
1/3 cup diced shallot
1/2 cup baby bella mushrooms
1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup favorite pizza sauce
Fresh basil, for garnish
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Dust your counter top with flour and roll out pizza dough. Using a 5-inch wide heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out roughly 10 heart-shaped pizzas. Place the heart pizzas on a baking sheet and partially bake for about seven minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and set aside.
Meanwhile, preheat a medium skillet to medium-high heat. Add olive oil and chicken sausage. Cook the sausage until no longer pink and remove with a slotted wooden spoon onto a plate. You might have leftover sausage depending on how much you use on the pizza. In the same skillet, add the mushrooms. Saute the mushrooms for a few minutes or until slightly golden brown. Next, add green pepper, shallot, salt and pepper. If you need to add a little more olive oil to the skillet that’s okay. Cook the veggies until softened about four minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
Grab the partially baked pizza hearts and spread some of the pizza sauce on top leaving a small border. Top the sauce with chicken sausage followed by veggie mixture and cheese. Bake the pizzas for additional five to seven minutes or until the crust is golden brown and cheese has melted. Remove the pizzas from the oven and garnish with fresh basil.

All images and text ©Lauren Grier for Climbing Grier Mountain
Vegan Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake
his rich & creamy dessert is easy to whip up, only takes 10 ingredients, and includes a fresh strawberry swirl top with extra for drizzling!

INSTRUCTIONS

TO BEGIN
  1. Soak the cashews overnight. Or for a quick soak, boil about 1 cup of water. Turn off the heat and toss in the cashews. Allow the cashews to soak while you make the crust.
  2. Line the bottom of a 6” springform pan with parchment paper. (Cut to fit the bottom of the pan)

CRUST
  1. Add the walnuts and almonds to your food processor.
  2. Process until finely chopped.
  3. Add the remaining crust ingredients to your food processor. Process until well combined.
  4. Add the crust mix to your springform and gently press it down in the pan until evenly spread out.
  5. Place in the freezer to set.

CHEESECAKE BASE
  1. Drain and rinse your cashews, then pat them dry.
  2. Rinse out your food processor and add in the last 4 ingredients (leaving out the coconut cream): cashews, maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
  3. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  4. Add in the coconut cream and blend again until the base is whipped and fully combined.
  5. Take the crust out of the freezer and pour in the cheesecake base. Using a spatula, level the top.
  6. Set aside while you make the strawberry swirl.

STRAWBERRY SWIRL
  1. Again, rinse out your food processor.
  2. Then, add the strawberries and maple syrup.
  3. Process until there are no strawberry chunks left.
  4. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
  5. Spoon 6-7 dollops on the cheesecake. Using a chopstick or bamboo skewer swirl in the dollops. Use figure 8’s, zig-zags, and waves to give the cheesecake an even swirl.
  6. Add a few more dollops in areas that might need more, but don’t swirl it in too much or you will end up with a pink strawberry top.
  7. The key is to really swirl in the initial 6-7 dollops. Then go back and gently swirl in a few more dollops to give your cheesecake darker areas of strawberry swirl.
  8. Place the cheesecake in the freezer for 2-3 hours before serving.
  9. Allow it to thaw at least 15 min before serving.
San Leandro Unified School District | communications@slusd.us | www.slusd.us