Nurturing Wellness

Showcasing CPS leaders and champions who personally model healthy behaviors and truly believe in creating opportunities for school employees to take better care of themselves!

Kellye Hardesty, Paraprofessional, Ridgeway Elementary School

Kellye is a leader in health within our building. She prioritizes her nutrition and often brings home made items in for staff to try out, sharing the recipe along the way. Last year Kellye helped lead staff yoga sessions after school to promote physical activity among our staff. Thank you for being a leader and healthy role model for us and our students!

If you want to nominate an employee to be spotlighted for their wellness efforts, fill out this short Google Survey.

Did you know music and dance can significantly improve your emotional well-being?

• Stress relief: Rhythm and movement can lower tension and promote relaxation.

• Mood boost: Upbeat music and dancing release endorphins, increasing feelings of joy and energy.

• Emotional expression: They provide a safe way to express feelings that may be hard to put into words.

• Connection: Sharing music or dancing with others fosters a sense of belonging and social bonding.

• Healing and comfort: Slow or familiar music can soothe sadness and provide emotional support.

Click on the video below for a mood boost! And if you're not thinking of your favorite movie scene after watching this, you weren't paying attention!

Shorter days and chilly weather don’t have to dim your mood. A few simple habits can help you stay energized and upbeat all season long.

Catch Some Daylight
Step outside when you can—morning or lunchtime sunshine (even on cloudy days!) can boost your mood and help you feel more awake.

Light Therapy for the Win
A light therapy lamp can give you a gentle “sunshine boost” indoors. Many people use one for 20–30 minutes in the morning to feel more focused and energized. If you have light-sensitive conditions or medications, check with a healthcare provider first.

Know the Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Most of us feel a little slower in winter, but SAD is more intense. Watch for ongoing low mood, extra fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, or a loss of interest in things you usually enjoy. If these stick around, a healthcare professional can help.

With a few bright habits, you can keep your spirits high—even when the sun is low!

It is not too late to sign up for the employee step challenge, Healthy Holidays!

Between family gatherings, traveling, logistics - not to mention the temptation to overeat and skip routines - holidays can quickly fill up with to-dos. This challenge aims to help you combat the holiday stress and slow down. Join in to get tips and reminders to help you practice self-care and mindfully enjoy this time of year! Keep moving throughout the challenge to reach your Stick to It goal of 8000 steps a day for 10 out of 14 days to be entered into a raffle for prizes! Click here to join and celebrate a healthy holiday!

Eating fermented foods can be especially helpful during cold and flu season because they support part of your body that plays a MAJOR role in immunity - your gut! See the graphic below to learn more!

The holidays are about more than what’s on the table—they’re a time to connect with loved ones, create meaningful memories, and celebrate traditions that bring comfort and joy. Food is naturally part of the season, but it doesn’t have to be a source of stress or guilt.

By planning ahead and practicing mindful eating, you can fully enjoy holiday meals without feeling overwhelmed. Give yourself permission to savor your favorite dishes, listen to your body’s cues, and choose what makes you feel both satisfied and energized.

Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Let go of perfectionistic expectations or pressure to “stick to the rules.” A healthy holiday approach is all about balance—finding space to enjoy seasonal treats, nourish your body, and feel good about your choices. When you focus on well-being instead of restriction, you set the stage for a holiday season that’s both joyful and fulfilling.

Being an educator often means attending events or activities outside paid hours. These moments are meaningful—but they can also strain your energy.

Here’s how to protect your well-being:

• Prioritize: Decide which events are essential and which you can skip.

• Schedule recovery: Plan downtime before or after events to recharge.

• Share the load: Rotate responsibilities with colleagues when possible.

• Set boundaries: Limit extra emails or tasks around these commitments.

• Be kind to yourself: Your value isn’t measured by unpaid hours—doing your best in your scheduled work is enough.

By managing energy and protecting personal time, you can support students, participate in school life, and stay healthy and energized throughout the year.

Did you know your wallet has a new best friend? Say hello to LifeMart, our exclusive discount center offered through Personal Assistance Services (PAS)—aka our Employee Assistance Program provider!

Think of LifeMart as a giant online treasure chest overflowing with deals on the things you actually want (and the grown-up things you really need). From everyday essentials to big-ticket splurges, LifeMart helps you stretch your dollars without sacrificing fun.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:
✨ Travel discounts for those much-needed getaways
🛍️ Retail deals on clothing, electronics, home goods, and more
🍔 Savings on dining (because we all love a good meal that costs less)
👶 Family-friendly offers on childcare, activities, and entertainment
💪 Health & wellness savings to keep you feeling your best—inside and out

It’s like having a savvy bargain-hunting friend who never sleeps and always knows where the good deals are.

Your mission: Log in, explore, and let LifeMart make your financial wellness journey a little lighter and a lot more fun.

Your future, more-budget-friendly self will thank you!

If you have an event or resource you want shared, please email me at blolli@cpsk12.org!

December 1 Healthy Holidays Step Challenge Between family gatherings, traveling, logistics — not to mention the temptation to overeat and skip routines — holidays can quickly fill up with to-dos. This challenge aims to help you combat the holiday stress and slow down. Join in to: 💡 Get tips & reminders to help you practice self-care and mindfully enjoy this time of year 👟 Keep moving throughout the challenge to reach your Stick to It goal. Here's to a healthy holiday!

December 5 @ 6:00pm-8:00pm: Living Windows Festival The District is full of holiday spirit and ready to welcome back our annual Living Windows Festival! Join us on Dec. 5th from 6-8 pm for live performances, open houses, shopping, stunning holiday decor all through The Distric. Enjoy Kenny Green’s roasted chestnuts in The Wishtree Courtyard! Christkindlemarkt at Günter Hans and Pics with Santa at Simmons Bank!

December 6 @ 10:00am-4:00pm: City of Refuge Holiday Market Join us for our second outdoor Holiday Market, showcasing local (and refugee!) artisan work. There will be delicious food, hot beverages, entertainment, and even a visit from Santa! Stop by 10 N. Garth Ave. anytime on Saturday, December 7 between 9:00am - 3:00pm to shop for your holiday gifts and to get in the holiday spirit. All proceeds go toward City of Refuge refugee care and programming.

Below are local gyms that offer educator discounts to CPS Staff. To download the PDFs, you must open this newsletter in the internet browser by clicking "view in browser" at the top.

The EAP program through Personal Assistance Services offers free and confidential life event services that help you and your dependent family members with virtually any life need. Every one of us experience demands for our time and energy, both on and off the job. While striving to be successful at work, we also want to develop as a parent, grandparent, friend, or partner; take better care of ourselves; solve legal and financial challenges, become more productive; pursue personal interests and hobbies; maintain healthy family, social and work relationships; and learn how to balance it all.

PAS provides a wide array of counseling and life coaching services to support you and your dependents through the full spectrum of life events:

• Counseling - personal, family, relationship
• Lifestyle & Wellness - weight & nutrition, nicotine cessation, life & well-being, fitness, sleep, parenting
• Legal - legal consultation, will preparation, legal document library
• Financial - identity theft, budgeting & debt, financial planning & information, financial wellness tools
• Career & Work - career, retirement, continuing education, organization & productivity
• Resource & Referral - child-care consultation & referral, education planning, elder care coordination, discount center

All services are free and confidential and there is no limit to the number of services an individual can access.

To access PAS benefits you can call 1.800.356.0845, visit the website www.mypaseap.com and use the organization code CPS, or download the myPASapp