Health and Wellness » Health and Wellness

Health and Wellness

 
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Welcome to San Carlos School District's Health & Wellness Program! Our district is extremely fortunate to have a program designed to ensure that all students, staff and families are provided the tools to nurture and protect our health and wellbeing. At SCSD, we believe that an environment of inclusivity and intersectionality is necessary for a healthy, thriving community.  To achieve this, we need to hear diverse voices and opinions, and to listen with empathy. If you are interested in being a part of our District's Wellness Committee, please reach out to [email protected].
 
 
 
 
8realms imageWe utilize the 8 Realms of Wellness to frame our work (when age-appropriate.)  The 8 Realms of Wellness include:
 
Emotional: An awareness, understanding, and acceptance of our feelings, and our ability to manage effectively through challenges and change. For students, staff, and caregivers, this may look like journaling at the end of each week to check in on how they are doing.
 
Spiritual: This means something different to everyone.  In general, this means expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life, including one's morals and ethics, and understanding yourself and your place in the world.  Please note, spirituality and religion are NOT the same thing. For students, staff, and caregivers, this may look like volunteering at the school garden once a month to connect to nature and help the environment.
 
Environmental: Feeling connected to, and taking care of, the environment.  Additionally, this means ensuring you are getting outside in nature regularly.  For students, staff, and caregivers, this may look like exploring a new park once a month with their family.
 
Financial: Having an awareness around your finances, and ensuring you are spending in appropriate ways.  This may not be applicable to students currently.  For students, this may look like saving half of what they making walking the neighbor's dog for their future.  For staff and caregivers, this could look like developing (and sticking to!) a manageable budget.
 
Academic/ Occupational: Expanding your knowledge and creating networks to support lifelong learning and ensuring you feel connected to and engaged with your class material.  For students, this may look like forming a study group with friends to support each other’s learning.  For staff and caregivers, this may look like noticing moments when you make a positive difference in a student or colleague's day, and holding onto those.
 
Social: Building healthy, nurturing, and supportive relationships as well as fostering a genuine connection with those around you.  For students, staff, and caregivers, this may look like eating lunch with a new friend/ colleague several times a month.
 
Physical: Developing awareness around, and taking care of, our physical body.  This category includes movement, sleep, nutrition, staying safe physically, hygiene, and immunity.  For students, staff, and caregivers, this may look like developing a consistent evening routine.
 
Intellectual: Being open to new ideas, thinking critically, and finding ways to be creative.  For students, staff, and caregivers, this may look like completing an activity twice per week that stimulates your mind in a new way (watch a documentary, do a crossword puzzle, read a book.)
Wellness Council
 
The wellness council is a group of school site staff, district staff, and parent and caregivers who provide input and feedback regarding the district's wellness policy and school site implementation. For the 2024-25 school year we are looking for new members. If you are interested, please contact Sheila Brar, [email protected].
 
The council will meet 4 times per year on the first Wednesday in October, December, March and June at 3:30 p.m. Our first meeting will be October 2nd at the San Carlos School District office with zoom option.  
Parent Venture Series and Children's Health Council are our district parent education partners. Additional events are offered through school site Parent-Teacher Associations. 
 
What's the best way to cultivate an informed and active citizenry? Join Lindsey Cormack, PhD, professor of political science and author of  How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It)  ( September 11 ).

In  Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future , Stanford d.school authors Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter explore how we can use design tools to shape our future for the better ( September 12 ).

September is Suicide Prevention Month!  Ana Paula Garay, LMFT and Mental Health Lead for the Redwood City School District, offers Foro de padres #38 - Prevención del suicidio (en español) (Suicide Prevention) ( September 17 ). 

Frank Bruni, bestselling author, NY Times writer, and current Duke professor, joins us to discuss his new book, The Age of Grievance , in the context of teen behavior, family dynamics, and college admission ( September 18 ).

Oprah's Book Club speaker, Lara Love Hardin, author of The Many Lives of Mama Love, shares her parenting journey from shame to redemption, and moving beyond the worst thing we've ever done ( September 19 )