No kidding! I gained the "Freshman 15" in my first year as superintendent. Thank goodness it's a new school year and new day in AISD. As identified by the Board of Trustees in the Strategic Plan, Health and Safety for students and staff are values for AISD. It’s the first time for our district that we’ve had that focus. To truly value health the health of students and staff, I want to talk about AND encourage all students, staff (and AISD blog followers) to enter into this "new day" with us as we explore areas focused around health. Personally, I will do more than explore – I’m fully committing to a lifestyle change.
First, did you know that next week in Texas is designated "Texas Obesity Awareness Week"? To kick-off this week we have a campus resource "tool-kit" that provides daily health lessons, healthy messages for morning announcements, and classroom activity breaks. You can find the resources by visiting http://www.austinschools.org/curriculum/pe_health/elem/index.html I am encouraging you to make a commitment to choose at least one healthy activity to do daily. To make healthier choices, you could follow the 5, 2, 1, 0 rule.
5-chose 5 or more fresh fruits and vegetables daily (I put one serving of veggies in my smoothie in the mornings), 2-hours or less screen time (including TV, video games, and computer – I’ve just stopped watching TV),
1-hour of physical activity (walking, jogging, yoga, martial arts, etc ... I have to work out at 5 a.m., but it's so worth it because I have NO CONTROL over my school day once it starts),
0-sugar sweetened beverages (choose water or fat free milk – I’m using all natural Stevia SweetLeaf sweetner to replace the much-needed sugar fix I need in my coffee).
Second, as we’re encouraging students to make healthier choices, we want our staff to be healthy as well. Did you know AISD had a staff wellness program called the “AISD Healthy Apples”? In 2009-2010, staff that participated in the Employee Coordinated survey reported that health was "important" to "very important" to them. Staff identified areas of importance, these areas include: weight loss, stress management, nutrition, and smoking cessation.
A. Weight loss-the district has a partnership with Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers has several options for staff to participate. These options include: At-Work meetings, On-line meetings and support, and Local Meeting Vouchers. If you’d like to host an At-Work meeting on your campus or facility contact our corporate sponsor, Robert Thompson at Robert.thompson@weightwatchers.com Also, each AISD menu item offered in the school cafeterias has been given a Weight Watchers point value.
B. Stress Management-AISD has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help employees with stress management, marital/relationship issues, legal or financial concerns, emotional problems, family problems, and/or drug/alcohol related problems. All services are provided free and confidential. There are two options to access help:
a. Contact Jerry Webb, AISD internal EAP Coordinator, at 414-9607 or employeeassistance@austinisd.org, or
C. Nutrition-The AISD Food Services Department has made it easier for campus-based staff to make healthier nutrition choices. They spotlight a fruit or vegetable each month. This month, the fruit is BANANA. Did you know that bananas are the most popular fresh fruit in the United States. Bananas are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. The Food Services Department provides fresh fruits and vegetables every day! By the way, you can find all of the nutritional information online at www.austinisd.org/schools/menus
D. Smoking Cessation-AISD is a partner with Austin Travis County Health and Human Services Department, and has received ARRA funding through the Communities Putting Prevention to Work to provide tobacco prevention and cessation programs. We’ll kick off the smoking cessation program in November on the National Smoke-Out Day!
In support of the Fruit of the Month, I want to share my tip regarding bananas. The organic stuff seems to mature at a faster rate, so my bananas get gooey and spotted pretty fast. But, I don’t let them go to waste. I peel them and then freeze them as a core ingredient in my smoothies. It’s a great way to naturally sweeten a smoothie without added sugar.
As you know, I'm visiting tons of schools and am looking for models of healthy behaviors and tips to share on the blog. I will also acknowledge and award a school or department in my next Expanded Cabinet meeting with a blog award for the Healthiest Apple (or some cool name that I will sort out by then). So, please engage me while I'm at school or in your departments to see what you are up to!
For all of you overstressed and overweight staff members, please know I feel your pain as I had a very similar experience last year while starting my first year in the district – it was the Freshman 15 all over again. I didn’t feel healthy and I was gaining weight. As you know, it only adds to your stress. So, I did a few things at the end of the year that helped me rethink and revitalize my efforts: First, I did boot camp (and almost keeled over) and, second, changed my eating habits. This year I'm fully committed to setting a better example as your superintendent and am happy to share my experience in hopes that it helps others.
Oh, in honor of Texas Obesity Awareness Week, I will be starting boot camp AGAIN next week! Hhhmmmmm ... I need a plan. I'll try to sort that out and share with you asap. So far, I'm just focused on continuing to prep for boot camp and actually signing up it.
Oh, in honor of Texas Obesity Awareness Week, I will be starting boot camp AGAIN next week! Hhhmmmmm ... I need a plan. I'll try to sort that out and share with you asap. So far, I'm just focused on continuing to prep for boot camp and actually signing up it.
