During this time of unprecedented stress, many of us are experiencing normal reactions to a highly abnormal situation. Never before have we experienced an ongoing pandemic (we are in our ninth month now), economic insecurities, racial and equity experiences/awareness and ongoing injustices, political division and much more. The experiences of ongoing stress and trauma affecting our brain, body and functioning can result in the following symptoms:
Anxiety and stress
Depression, fatigue and lack of motivation
Workplace burnout and lack of purpose
Memory problems: Difficulty concentrating, organizing, planning and recalling
Heightened emotions and reactions
A great tool for managing these symptoms and building healthy coping habits is the “Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families” online. Practicing self care and healthy mental health practices have never been more important. If you are experiencing any of the following warning signs or may need extra help in getting through this challenging time, please visit our website for mental health resources and family support services.
Free meals for all kids age 1-18 will continue into 2021!
Meals are free to all kids age 1-18 years old. School meals include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables plus local milk. Join us for school meals to nourish your child soon.
School Meals will continue over Winter Break
Limited Grab and Go meal service available on Wednesday December 23 and 30 at the following locations:
Meadowdale Middle: 9-10am
Mountlake Terrace High: 10-11am
Lynnwood High: 11:45am -12:45pm
Edmonds-Woodway High: 4:30-5:30pm
Food Truck Community Pick Up Locations:
A’capella Apartments: 10-10:20am
YWCA Sommerset: 10:35-10:55am
Medo-Lynn Ranch Mobile Home Park: 11:20-11:40am
Pinewood Square: 1:30- 1:45pm
Scriber Creek: 2-2:20pm
Alderwood Boys and Girls Club: 2:30-2:50pm
Spruce Park: 3:05-3:25pm
Home delivery is available for the 7 day meal kits for kids age 1-18 who need meals but have either transportation or medical issues preventing them from accessing any of the meal pick up locations. To sign up for home delivery contact your school office or the family support team at 425-431-1454.
Volunteer opportunity for weekly home deliveries.To sign up contact Andrew at the Edmonds Schools Foundation andrew@foundationesd.org.
Run, Jump Learn… Moving to Learn!
Regular exercise and activity can make a person look and feel better, but did you also know it can make a person learn better? Take a look at the two brains in the picture. More colors (especially yellows and reds) show a more active brain. Which do you think is more ready to learn?
Short bouts (20 minutes) of aerobic exercise - activity that makes you breathe harder and your heart beat faster - promotes brain cell growth, increases focus and attention, improves mood, and enhances the ability of the neurons in the brain to communicate with each other. According to Dr. John Ratey, clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, exercise causes the release of a protein (Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor, or BDNF), that acts as “Miracle Grow” for the brain. AND, the effects have been shown to last an hour or more! Exercising before school or work and taking movement breaks throughout the day can have a positive impact on student learning.
Getting kids active can be a challenging task, especially this time of year when it gets dark early and the weather is not necessarily conducive to going outside. There are tons of free workouts for all ages and abilities available online. Offline options like a brisk walk or jog around the neighborhood, playing music and having a dance party, or even household chores can prime the brain and optimize learning! Ask your student’s PE teacher for other suggestions.
Interested in learning more? Check out these TED talks:
We have over 1,750 students participating in the fall Move 60 session which is AWESOME! We were able to hand out free at-home equipment kits for students registered in the fall session. The equipment kit included a jump rope, bean bag, paddle, playground ball, scarf, and a chain necklace with tokens for Move 60 Run/Walk Club. We will hold registration for the spring session January 19, 2021 - January 29, 2021. The spring session will start on Monday, February 8. For more information about registering for this free exercise and activity program for students in grades K-6:
Move 60 Nutrition Videos for the Whole Family to Enjoy!
There are many ways to live a healthy life. Living a healthy lifestyle includes but is not limited to exercising, healthy eating, movement and activity, stress reduction, mental health awareness, and adequate sleep. Move 60, Verdant Health, Sound Dietitians, and Edmonds School District Food & Nutrition Services department have been working together to promote healthy living by creating family friendly nutrition videos. There is a series of eight videos that are fun for the whole family that includes delicious, healthy dishes that can be cooked at home. Check them out here:
Fall and winter are a time when respiratory illnesses tend to be extra good at getting around. And this year, when we talk about respiratory illnesses, we have to focus on more than the flu or the common cold. Now it’s COVID season, too.
These illnesses generally spread in the same ways – a combination of people in close proximity and droplets from our mouths when we cough, sneeze, talk or just breathe. The droplets can carry a virus from one person to another.
Factors like colder weather and fewer daylight hours drive people indoors with the windows shut, and then there are holidays when groups of family and friends typically gather to celebrate. More people together in enclosed spaces make for opportune situations for illness to spread.
This isn’t anything new. A lot of us are used to preparing for the flu and cold season, we need to also consider COVID-19. Many of the symptoms of COVID-19 are also common in the common cold, the flu, or seasonal allergies. The table below and linked illustrates some of the overlap between the symptoms of COVID-19 and other common illnesses.
If you haven’t already gotten a flu shot, go get one. Visit https://vaccinefinder.org/find-vaccine to find the location closest to you. Doing this and following all the COVID-19 prevention guidance will protect you and the people around you from both the flu and COVID-19.
