• Willmar Public Schools Wellness Committee
    Please consider joining the Wellness Committee!  We have meetings the first or second Tuesday of each month after school.  They are located at the Willmar Middle School Multipurpose Room and begin at 3:30pm.  Please contact Alison Scheffler, Wellness Coordinator, with questions or suggestions for the committee.  She can be contacted via email at schefflera@willmar.k12.mn.us.

    2018-19 Wellness Incentive

    The incentive this year will be $500 in a staff member's VEBA/HSA account, for those in the SWWC health insurance pool, if the following two requirements are completed:

    1. Participate in TWO activities from the Wellness Committee this year.   

    2. Participate in Biometrics this year.  This will be the same process as previous years, where you can participate in our screening or get the information from your doctor and fill out a form we will provide.

    Note: There will be no added incentives (i.e. T-shirts, To Your Health shakes, water bottles, etc.)

    2018-19 Wellness Activities
    *This year communication for Wellness related information will only come out through Cardinal Essentials (Newsletter, Activities information, etc.).  Make sure you check Cardinal Essentials each week for updates.
     
    Sleep Hours Challenge: Dates - November 26-December 14
    Details - The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults 18 years and older get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.  During this challenge document how many hours you sleep each night, either on your own or with a Fitbit that can track your sleep.
     
    We Are Willmar Staff Challenge: Dates - January 7-February 1
    Details - This is a 4 week challenge.  Document the number of minutes you are active each week (walking, running, lifting weights, doing yoga, etc.) outside of your work hours.  The goal is to be active 40 minutes each day, 4 days a week for 160 minutes a week.  
     
    Wills, Trusts and Legacy Seminar: Date - January 21st 4:30pm Location: WEAC Rehearsal Hall
    Details - This will be an hour and a half seminar presented by Ben Taatjes of Taatjes Financial Group and Attorney Todd Kleinhuizen of JMS&K.  Ben will cover the financial and legacy perspective of having a will and trust and Todd will focus on the legal perspective.  Snacks will be provided and there will be giveaways for those in attendance.
     
    Eat Your Greens Challenge: Dates - February 4-March 1
    Details - Keep track of your vegetable intake each day.  The recommended amount is 3-5 servings according to the food pyramid.  It is your goal to keep within this serving size each day throughout the challenge. 
     
    *Orange Frog Challenge: Dates - February 25-March 17
    Details - This is geared for staff whether they have participated in the Orange Frog trainings or not.  Pick ONE of the FIVE tactics of the Happiness Advantage (Daily Gratitudes, Exercise, Conscious Acts of Kindness, Positive Journaling, or Meditating) to retrain your brain to operate on positive and gain the Happiness Advantage.  Follow it for these 21 consecutive days, as research shows it takes 21 days to make something a habit. 
    *Descriptions of the 5 tactics: Daily Gratitudes: Write 3 different things you are grateful for every day; Positive Journaling: Write one positive experience everyday and journal about it with specifics; Exercise: 15 minutes of exercise (minimum) each day; Meditation: 3-4 minutes of quiet time to reset your brain; Conscious Acts of Kindness: do something for someone else just because.
     
    Water Challenge: Dates - March 4-March 22
    Details - The challenge is to place 5 rubberbands around a 20oz. water bottle daily and remove a rubberband each time you re-fill your bottle. Goal: 100oz. per day!  Drinking water helps maximize physical performance, has a major effect on energy levels and brain function, may help to prevent and treat headaches, can help with weight loss and so on.
     
    Fitness Classes: Dates - November 26-March 22
    Details - If you sign up for and particpate in a fitness class offered through Willmar Community Education during the above dates you can get credit toward the VEBA/HSA incentive by filling out the google form sent out weekly.  *Note: You must participate in at least two different challenges plus biometrics for the incentive.  Two fitness classes will not count as two challenges. 
     
    Beyond Grit: Embracing Passion & Purpose to Gain the High-Performance Edge (formerly titled: Mindset Presentation): Dates - Thursday, Feb. 7th, Tuesday, Feb. 26th, and Thursday, March 7th
    Location: Willmar Middle School, Multipurpose Room
    Details - This is a 3 session series (each session is different).  The presentations are based off of the Top Ten Practices of the World's Best by Presenter Cindra Kamphoff.  Staff take-aways include: specific strategies the audience can use to be at their best and increase resilience; practical tools and strategies to deal with adversity, mistakes and the unexpected; learn and apply how to increase positivity in life and work; learn strategies to decrease stress and stay in the present moment; increase ability to focus on what a person can control.
     
    Live Cooking Demonstration: Dates - Tuesday March 12 and Thursday March 14 3:45-5:15pm at the Senior High in the Foods Room
    Details - In the spirit of Mardi Gras and Cajun Cooking, come participate in this interactive cooking demonstration and learn how to make Jambalya and Creole Gumbo that is lower far, sodium and calories yet still tastes great!  Participants will get to sample the completed dishes and take home recipes too! Look for the opportunity to sign up for theses first come, first serve cooking demos soon!
     
    Omada: Dates - November 26-March 22
    Details - Staff who meet the qualifications for Omada can use this as one of their 'challenges' toward the VEBA/HSA incentive.  Staff who participate in Omada must also participate in one other 'challenge' plus biometrics to earn the incentive.