SPS Monthly Wellness Tips: Three Goals for 2023-2024

Yep... still over here talking about the importance of movement (physical wellness), connections (social wellness), and work-life balance (emotional wellness). Consider these ideas:

• Movement: As we know, regular physical activity helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost mental health, improve sleep, prevent illness and disease, and increase academic performance. Although it can be hard to think of activities to do in the winter, there are ways to stay active! We have a few fun ways to get more physical activity that are being offered to all staff members. SPS Staff volleyball league, to learn more, reach out to Suzanne Tackett ([email protected]); games start soon! The Payne County Health Department has offered a FREE exercise class to SPS employees that includes Tai Chi, Flexibility, and Strength. Classes will begin in February; stay tuned for additional details. Or, check out the list of staff discounts at local gyms and consider joining!

• Connections: The New Year is a great time to reconnect with others, maybe in ways you haven’t before or in a long time. Bridge? Book Club? Walking with a friend? Try something with a new friend or reconnect with someone who you haven’t talked to in a while. I'm trying music trivia next week at EM! Singo.... (you might not want to go, I'm planning on total domination...) 

• Work-Life Balance: January happens to be national hobby month. Hobbies are an important factor in work-life balance and can provide an excellent outlet for improving mental, physical, social, and spiritual health. From plucking strings on a guitar to taking photos on a nature walk, any hobby that brings you joy is worth celebrating. Join us this month as we celebrate some of our own or even pick up a few new hobbies on the side!

SPS Parent Engagement Night

Stillwater Public Schools is hosting an information and resource night at Stillwater Public Library. This evening will consist of educational sessions that aim to inform parents and caregivers about the realities of substance misuse, mental health issues, prepare them to talk with their kids about these issues, and motivate them to start these important conversations. Date: February 5 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Stillwater Public Library. Food, snacks, and prizes! 

This evening is designed to help parents and caregivers: 

• Get Informed. 

  • Increase awareness about important topics such as substance abuse and mental health.

• Be Prepared. 

  • Introduce skill-building techniques, and share available resources and tools. 

  • Learn about protective factors and the importance of connections. 

• Take Action. 

  • Increase actions to help prevent substance abuse and mental health issues. 

  • Learn where to go in the community for extra support. 

There will also be a teen session, with Oklahoma State University Athletes providing entertainment, team building games and activities. Childcare Provided! 

Who Do I Go For…

January is a good time to remind SPS staff about resources within the district, as well as within the community. Here is where to go for all of the things… 

Where to go when….

• I need counseling for myself or a colleague: The Employee Assistance Plan (EAP). Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or need someone to talk to? This is a reminder that Stillwater Public Schools provides an EAP for employees. Find more information, including how to make a referral, here.

• A student needs glasses: If a student needs glasses, contact the Elementary or Secondary School nurse or the Family & Student Resource Specialist. They can help a student with the Noon Lions Club glasses application. The Noon Lions Club provides exams and eyeglasses to local residents with limited resources. 

• A student needs health/medical care: When you are concerned that a student needs help accessing medical or dental care, talk to your counselor and the Family & Student Support Specialist. They can coordinate with the Payne County Health Department Community Health Worker if needed. They can work with families to connect them with community services, help them with SoonerCare applications, SNAP applications, and more. As a reminder, when you need to refer students to Family Support Services, email them directly or use this link. Natalie Brown: [email protected] or Rose Ngirasob, DHS School Based Social Services Specialist and Homeless Liaison, [email protected] 

• A student needs food: First and foremost, connect the student with SPS Nutrition Services. They can assist the student or their family with Free/Reduced Meal Applications. You can also work with your social worker or school counselor to connect students to Our Daily Bread. 

• A student needs clothing, a coat, shoes, etc. If a student needs hygiene products, a coat, or basic pantry items, reach out to the Pioneer Pantry housed out of SHS; they provide items to students at ANY school. E-mail [email protected] to request items.

Upcoming Events:

• January 27 & February 8: Early Birds Program

  • Learn how children develop, how to make everyday moments fun and educational, how to prepare your child for school, how to parent with purpose, how to balance work and life, and how to keep your child healthy and safe. Receive a FREE kit of toys, books, and learning activities to support early learning at home after each class. Register here. 

• January 31: The Power of Conscious Connection: Four Habits to Transform How You Live. 11-12

  • Join OSU in this exceptional webinar with Talia Fox, visionary leader and author, as she unveils profound insights from her groundbreaking book, The Power of Conscious Connection. Free; learn more here. 

• February 4: Lake McMurtry Chili Bike 2024

  • Choose your own adventure and ride one trail or complete all 35 miles of trails for the ultimate Chili Bike challenge.  Learn more here. 

• February 5: SPS Parent Night Date: 5:30-7:30 pm at Stillwater Public Library 

• February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day

  • Random acts of kindness help to spread joy throughout the world, but can also have positive benefits on your own and others’ mental health. Random acts of kindness require no cost and there are a variety of ways to offer them. They can involve anything from helping someone with a chore, to donating items to a shelter, or even leaving encouraging notes for coworkers. For more ideas on acts of kindness, visit randomactsofkindness.org.