SPS Monthly Wellness Tips: Three Goals for 2023-2024

Continuing with our 23-24 focus on movement (physical wellness), connections (social wellness), and work-life balance (emotional wellness), consider the following:

• Movement: Now that the weather has cooled down, this is a great time to take advantage of the many parks and open spaces Stillwater has to offer. From Boomer Lake to Couch park, the Botanic Garden at OSU, the Kameoka Trail and the lakes at Meridian Technology Center, try to take some time to get outside and go for a walk and enjoy the beautiful fall weather in Stillwater.

• Connections: Why not kill two birds with one stone! Connect with others in the Walktober walking challenge and also get your movement in! Learn more and register here. 

• Work-Life Balance: One way that you might promote a healthy work life balance is by finding yourself a “third-place” to spend some time each week. Meaning, a public place that is separate from your usual environment (home and work). According to sociologist Ray Oldenburg, third places are essential for wellbeing. Examples of a third space can include community centers, coffee shops, parks, and libraries. 

Seven Healthy Habits

Speaking of connections, movement, and work-life balance…. A recent study finds that people who maintain a variety of healthy habits such as these are significantly less likely to experience episodes of depression. These 7 habits and behaviors are recommended to help keep your mental health strong. 

1. Sleep: The top suggestion is a good night's rest (7-9 hours per night), which reduced the risk of depression by about 22% in the study.
   
   
2. Movement: Regular exercise = less mental health concerns 
   
   
3. Nutrition: Healthy eating patterns are also connected to less reports of depression!
   
   
4.  … Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do? (I’m referencing the 1982 Adam Ant song, stay with me here folks)…. But seriously… limiting alcohol + not smoking = helpful for mental health.
   
   
5. Cigarettes = loads of evidence that it's not a healthy habit (You can quit smoking for FREE; more info here.)
   
   
6. Limit Sedentary Time: Long periods of being sedentary is a risk factor for depression. 
   
   
7. Get a Hobby! People who spend time with people they like while also engaging in activities they like report higher levels of life satisfaction and less depression. 
   
   

SPS Student Support: Handle with Care

SPS practices the Handle with Care model in our schools. When a child is exposed to violence or trauma, a law enforcement officer contacts the identified school personnel who will take the initial information (Handle With Care Notice). That individual will then ensure notification is provided to appropriate teachers and staff. Experiences that warrant a Handle with Care notice being sent out can have a detrimental impact on students’ functioning in the school setting. If you are looking for tools to identify and support students who may have experienced or are experiencing traumatic stress, please refer to this document. For more information on Handle with Care Oklahoma, click here. 

Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States from September 15-October 15. During this month, we honor the accomplishments, history, and culture of Hispanic and Latino communities and individuals. This month honors people of many backgrounds and cultures, including Mexican, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Cuban, and many more.

We love an opportunity to learn from school staff; this month we asked some wellness questions to Sangre Ridge Office Assistant Angela Martinez, and here is what she had to say. 

• How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance? By focusing on my family right after leaving Sangre and not checking my work email at home.
  
• How do you incorporate movement into your day? I enjoy walking and listening to my favorite latin music.(I am from Venezuela and I listened to my favorite salsa/merengues bands from the 80’s 90’s or Spanish romantic music) :)
  
  
• How do our shared and individual attributes foster connection and collective well-being? By being kind to our colleagues and making sure everyone is included. Also, Smiling!! I do it all the time! We in the office love our sense of humor and we laugh every time we can! It definitely makes our job more fun! :)

Thank you SO much Angela! I loved all of your answers, and couldn’t agree more. 

Finally, here is the amazing SPS Hispanic Heritage month resource page, here is a link to Hispanic Heritage month resources for educators, and here is a link to the Mental Health America Spanish Resources. Their Spanish-language resources hub provides a comprehensive collection of mental health materials to assist individuals, families, and others in accessing valuable mental health resources for the Spanish-speaking community.

 

October 5th is National Do Something Nice Day

This day encourages us to perform acts of kindness for strangers or loved ones — or both! It’s easy to become so caught up in our own stresses and struggles that we forget to show kindness to others. This day is a great reminder that doing good deeds makes the world better.

October 2023 - Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Pink Out Week

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which seeks to raise awareness about the impacts of breast cancer and help to provide education on available resources. Stillwater Public Schools and Stillwater High School FCCLA  supports Breast Cancer Awareness by hosting Pink Out Week. This year, POW is October 23-27, 2023. An event listing is linked here:  Pink Out Week 

The Dietitians Dish:
Fall Easy Meals Contributed by SPS Nutrition Director Krista Neal, MS, RD/LD, SNS

Fall is a really busy time for our family. Between rehearsals, lessons, and classes it’s hard to find time to make a meal. Research shows kids who eat regular meals with their family are less likely to do all of the things you don’t want your kids to do, like drink and do drugs. Any family meal counts, even if we eat take-out in the dance studio parking lot (which we have done many times.) Here are two ideas for super easy meals. 

Appetizer Night (Apparently, the cool kids now call this “Girl Dinner”?)

• Veggie tray - yes, you can cut up your vegetables. However, if financially possible, give yourself permission to buy pre-cut veggies. If having the vegetables pre-cut means you’re more likely to eat them, buy them pre-cut. 
  
  
• Whole-wheat crackers and your favorite cheese and/or hummus
  
  
• Fresh and/or frozen fruit in bite-sized pieces Again, if you’re more likely to eat the fruit if it is already cut, buy it frozen. 
  
  
• Add a bagged salad. Again you can make your own, but make what you will eat.
  
  
• Stand around the kitchen counter, nibble together while your teenagers insist they didn’t learn anything at school today.

Sheet Pan Tacos: Adapted from tasty Sheet Tray Taco Night

• Get the biggest sheet pan you have that will fit in your oven.
  
  
• Chicken or other protein sliced into ½” strips
  
  
• Lots and lots of vegetables - we like tomatoes, peppers, onions, carrots, and broccoli. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, cut everything else into strips. 
  
  
• Taco seasoning- buy it or make your own
  
  
• Drizzle olive oil on the sheet pan. Add chicken and vegetables. Drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle liberally with taco seasoning. 
  
  
• Roast at 400⁰ for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is 165⁰ as measured by a thermometer. While it’s in the oven
• Make lime crema 
  
  
• 6oz plain Greek yogurt 
  
  
•  2 Tablespoons of lime juice (use the stuff in the bottle because you do not have time to juice a lime.
  
  
• Dash of salt. 
  
  
• Mix until it’s yummy. 
  
  
• Heat a can of black beans in the microwave. 
  
  
• Serve with your favorite taco shells or tortillas (or both), avocado, and salsa. Serve off the sheet pan right onto the plate. Enjoy dinner while your toddler who loves tortillas has now decided they will eat nothing but broccoli. 
  
  

Upcoming Events:

• September 30th : 8am-1pm: Stillwater Farmers Market Fall Harvest Festival at the Prairie Arts Center
  • The market will be filled with amazing local vendors, live music, and so much more!!! 
    
    
• Each Thursday in October: Yoga in the Garden 
  • Get outdoors and be present in nature! Located at the Botanical Gardens at Oklahoma State University, this class encourages you to slow down and enjoy the little things in life! Register here.
    
    
• September 23 - October 31: 9th Annual Pumpkin Patch 
  • Co-sponsored by the Stillwater Noon Lions Club and Highland Park United Methodist Church. Mon-Fri 1-7 pm; Sat 9 am-7 pm; Sun 12-7 pm.  Click here for more information. 
• October 3-5: SPS Vaccination Clinic with Foster Drug  
  • Contact your administrator for more information. 
    
    
• October 1st: Stillwater Rock Academy Opening
  • Stillwater Rock Academy is the perfect opportunity for the next generation of musicians and artists to learn from the best (Other Lives frontman & Stillwater native Jesse Tabish). Learn a new hobby (best protection for mental health and wellness) while also learning how to play tunes! Enrollment begins October 1st; for more information email [email protected] 
    
    
• October 7th: 2023 Oklahoma State University Pow Wow 
  • Held at the Payne County Expo Center starting at 12 pm with the Gourd Dance. 4:30 pm Supper Break. 6:30 pm Grand Entry for all contests. 11 pm Closing Ceremony.
    
    
• October 7th: POP UP Art Shops 
  • Held in the south parking lot of the Prairie Arts Center. We will have up to 15 artists, a free family-friendly art-making activity. Get outside and support your local artists! 10am - 2pm
    
    
• Oct. 22 - 28, 2023: Homecoming Week 
  • The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association and Love's Travel Stops will present the next edition of America's Greatest Homecoming on concluding with the Cincinnati vs. OSU football game!Homecoming events planned include the Harvest Carnival and Chili Cook-Off (Oct. 24), Walkaround (Oct. 27) and the Sea of Orange Parade (Oct. 28). Go to OSU Homecoming for more information.
    
    
• October 24, 5-8pm Downtown Stillwater Halloween Festival
  • Dress up in your most creative costumes for a fun, family event that includes trick or treating, costume contest, games, crafts, face painting, and more!