SLUSD's Monthly Employee Wellness Newsletter
Brought to you by the Employee Wellness Committee  
January 2018
Jefferson & James Monroe Jump Into 2019!
James Monroe Elementary takes their "Healthiest School" award pretty seriously. Principal Jeannette McNeil gifted her entire staff with brand new jump ropes to keep their heart rates pumping! Word on the street is that each staff meeting will start with a TRUE warm up! Go James Monroe!
Over at Jefferson Elementary, the 12/21 teacher work day included a complimentary Zumba class led by Mrs. Cooper. What a way to launch a pre-emptive strike on holiday pounds! Thank you so much for sharing your site-based efforts at movement with us so we can spread the motivation around this District on the Move!
Rethinking Resolutions
It's hard to put up that beautiful new 2019 calendar without thinking that you should be making some new year's resolutions. All the headlines are telling you, "New Year, New You!" but research shows (and personal experience too) that New Year's resolutions usually melt away with the seasonal snows by Spring. How can we use this time of year more wisely to make the changes in our lives we want?

Check out this article from the New York Time s about rethinking resolutions - specifically reframing our goals to allow flexibility in how we define success. Ask yourself the question, " Imagine it’s December 31, 2019. What change are you going to be most grateful you made?" This simple switch opens up the avenues to access success by starting with the end in mind.
Kick the New Year Into Gear at the BLC

Not sure you want to join a gym? Why not utilize San Leandro Unified School District's own gym, at least one day a week. The Barbara Lee Center for Health and Wellness (across from SLHS) is open every Thursday all day until 6pm for employees. The aerobics/dance studio is equipped with yoga mats, fitness machines, weights, jump ropes, body balance exercise balls, music, and a big screen TV to access fitness videos including: Zumba, hip hop, low impact. You really can't beat the price...FREE!
Interested in Weight Watchers?
Weight Watchers is one of the leading weight loss programs in the country and they would be willing to conduct a 1 hour session at one of our sites, possibly the Barbara Lee Center. This session would include a confidential weigh in followed by a motivational meeting. The cost per participant would be $186 for a 17 weeks to begin a wellness journey, but we need a minimum of 20 employees signed up in order for Weight Watchers to come to us. If you are not sure exactly what Weight Watchers has to offer, check out the newsletter they send out every few weeks. This is just one of the tools that are available to Weight Watchers member. If you would be interested in more information, please email Zaira Duncan at [email protected]
Coping with Stress - Tips For Educators

By Leah Davies, M.Ed.

Before educators can help students cope with their problems and be ready to learn, they must first take time to care for themselves. The following are ways educators can take control of their lives and manage their own stress so that they will be available to assist their students.

  • Accept yourself as an imperfect human being.
  • Believe that you have value and that you can make a contribution to humanity.
  • Accept responsibility for yourself and your behavior.
  • Exercise.
  • Eat well-balanced meals.
  • Get enough rest.
  • Avoid using tobacco, alcohol or other drugs.
  • Cultivate a hopeful attitude by saying encouraging things to yourself.
  • Develop effective communication skills.
  • Foster a sense of humor.
  • Seek out and maintain at least one close personal friend.
  • Make a list of things that you enjoy doing that are good for you and arrange to do one a day.
  • Write down how you see yourself a year, five years, or ten years from now and share your ideas and goals with someone you trust.
  • Write down at least five of your worries. Rank order your list by their importance in your life. By each worry write ACCEPT, CHANGE, or REJECT. For each worry decide what your first step will be toward accepting, changing or rejecting it.Carry out the steps you listed.
Zumba Fundraiser
The City of San Leandro’s Recreation and Human Services Department and Youth Advisory Commission (YAC) invite the community to an 80’s-themed family Zumba fundraiser. The event will take place on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marina Community Center, located at 15301 Wicks Blvd. Admission is $5 per person, or $20 per family (maximum 5 members). All fitness levels are encouraged to attend and wear 80’s themed attire.
 
WHAT:          Zumba Family Fundraiser
WHEN:          Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE :       Marina Community Center, 15301 Wicks Boulevard, San Leandro, CA
 
This event is for ages five and over, with pre-registration recommended. Register with the San Leandro Recreation and Human Services Department online at  www.sanleandrorec.org . Walk-in registrations are also available at the San Leandro Senior Community Center located at 13909 East 14 th  Street, or at Marina Community Center located at 15301 Wicks Boulevard.
 
Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the Youth Advisory Commission’s Mini-Grant Program that awards grants to youth serving organizations in the San Leandro community. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.
Financial Wellness
ANNUAL 403(b)/457 PLAN ELIGIBILITY NOTICE

Notice to Employees 
Opportunity to Make Elective Deferrals to 403(b) Plan
 
This is to notify you that as an employee of San Leandro Unified School District, you are eligible to make a pre-tax elective deferral from your salary to a 403(b) plan or a 457 plan. If the Plan permits after-tax Roth contributions, such elective deferrals may be designated as Roth contributions.
 
What is a 403(b)/457 Plan?
A 403(b) or 457 plan allows you to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. Your contributions are voluntary and you can choose the amount based on your retirement goals. If you would like more information on a 403(b) or 457 plan please click on the following link Getting Started
 
How do I contribute?
To make an elective contribution to the Plan, you must submit a Salary Reduction Agreement to the Plan’s Third Party Administrator, TSA Consulting Group. You may make, change, or stop such an election to contribute at your discretion. The effective date of these changes will be the date listed on your Salary Reduction Agreement or the next payroll date after it is approved by TSACG.

Such elective contributions are subject to applicable Internal Revenue Code limits and the terms of the Plan. The contributions may be suspended for six months following a distribution to you from the Plan if you take a financial hardship withdrawal. 
You can submit a Salary Reduction Agreement by logging into the 403(b)/457(b) Participant Website at https://filexchange.myMidAmerica.com . 
 
Accessing Your Account Online
If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to create an account. The plan is San Leandro Unified School District. Once logged in, select the “Tutorials” icon located under the Popular Tools menu on the left-hand side of the webpage. From here, you have access to a library of educational videos and downloadable guides. Additional details on how to submit your Salary Reduction Agreement online are available through this library.
 
If you are a new participant, you may need to submit a Salary Reduction Agreement via hard copy for your initial election. For a copy of the Salary Reduction Agreement or a summary of the Plan—or if you have any other questions—please contact MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions at (866) 873-4240 or visit their website at www.myMidAmerica.com .
 
This Notice is to provide general information regarding availability of the Plan. You should consult with your own financial, tax, or legal advisor as to whether you should contribute to the Plan. Should there be any difference between the information in this Notice and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. The information in this Notice is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or promoting, marketing, or recommending to any transaction or matter addressed herein.
Welcome TSA Consulting Group
As an employer, SLUSD is committed to providing employees with exceptional service and competitive options for supplemental retirement plans. We are pleased to announce effective January 1, 2019 that the District has secured TSA Consulting Group, Inc (TSACG) as an administrator for 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans. TSACG is an independent provider of compliance administration services and will continue to work with MidAmerica to ensure that our employees receive the high level of service they deserve. If you would like more information on TSACG, click on the following link TSA Consuting Group.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Zaira Duncan at [email protected] or 510-667-0
Recipes of the Month
Winter White Bean and Italian Sausage Soup
I ngredients
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp. extra light virgin olive oil
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups cooked white beans - or one 15 oz. can Great Northern or Cannellini beans, rinsed
  • 1 lb. Italian sausage, cooked and rinsed
  • 1 tsp. dried basil or 4 minced leaves fresh basil
  • 2 cups diced tomatoes
  • 1 10 oz. pkg. frozen spinach
  • 1 tsp. Parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Sautee garlic in olive oil.
2. Add sauteed garlic to 4 cups of chicken broth.
3. Add white beans to chicken broth and bring to boil for 5 minutes. Option: for creamy soup use hand blender and puree beans into broth.
4. Add remaining ingredients and simmer.
5. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Note: You can make the soup slimmer by using Italian turkey sausage. You can decrease the sodium by using dried and cooked beans instead of canned and rinsed.

Number of Servings: 8
Vegan Recipe of the Month
Roasted Cranberry & Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
  • 4 Sweet Potato (medium, peeled and cubed)
  • 3 tbsps Avocado Oil (divided)
  • 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
  • 2 cups Frozen Cranberries (or fresh)
  • 1 cup Quinoa (dry, uncooked)
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1 1/2 tbsps Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 tsps Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
  • 1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400ºF (204ºC).
2. In a glass or foil-lined baking dish, toss the sweet potato with 1/3 of the avocado oil, and salt. Roast for 30 minutes, adding the cranberries midway.
3. Combine the quinoa and water in a saucepan over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Let simmer for 13 to 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove lid, turn off the heat and fluff with a fork.
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard and maple syrup. Add the roasted sweet potato, cranberries, quinoa and pumpkin seeds. Gently toss until well combined. Enjoy!

Notes
No Sweet Potato? Use carrots or butternut squash instead.
No Quinoa? Use rice or cauliflower rice instead.
More Greens? Add spinach or arugula.

Number of servings: 6
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