Nurturing Wellness

🎵 It's the final countdown… 🎵

We are excited to bring back our district-wide step challenge, The Final Countdown Challenge, for its second year!

Last year our buildings stepped up in a big way, and now it’s time to see who will take the title in Round Two.

This spring, staff across Columbia Public Schools will lace up their walking shoes and travel together across a map of Columbia, tracking our progress as we move from landmark to landmark on the way to the ultimate destination: Summer Break!

Every step your team takes helps move your building along the route. As the challenge progresses, we’ll watch teams advance across the city — past familiar roads, parks, and landmarks — getting closer and closer to the finish line.

Will your building surge ahead and claim the top spot?
Or will you be just a heartbeat away from victory?

How It Works

Each school building is a team. Your building’s score is based on the average number of steps per participant, so schools of all sizes have an equal shot at the title. The building with the highest average steps at the end of the challenge wins the perpetual trophy. New this year, the top 3 teams will enter a raffle for a food truck to come to your school for lunch (only those on the team get lunch paid for by the district).

Challenge Dates

April 13 – May 10

Four weeks.
One final push before summer.

Get Ready

Start spreading the word in your building and get your coworkers ready to move.

Whether you’re walking the hallways, getting outside after school, or squeezing in steps throughout the day, every step counts. So rally your team, sign up here, join your building, and get ready to finish strong. Because before we know it…summer break will be here!

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!

Bethany Holland & Christine Kirchoefer, Teachers, Oakland Middle School

By choosing to walk a mile each day during their planning period or lunch, they are prioritizing both their physical health and mental well-being. This simple but powerful routine helps boost energy,

reduce stress, and provide a refreshing break in the middle of a busy school day. Their commitment shows that even with full schedules, making time for movement is possible—and it can inspire others to take small steps toward healthier habits.

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

In the busyness of daily life, stress can feel unavoidable. One powerful and simple way to manage it is by reconnecting with nature. Time outdoors supports both physical and mental well-being—and even small moments outside can make a difference.

In honor of Earth Day, here are a few ways nature helps reduce stress:

Mindful Escapes: A short walk or a few minutes of fresh air can provide a mental reset and help restore focus.

Natural Stress Relief: The sights and sounds of nature help calm the mind and lower cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.

Physical Wellness: Outdoor activities like walking or hiking support fitness while improving mood and reducing anxiety.

Creativity Boost: Time outside can spark fresh ideas and new perspectives when returning to work.

Simple ways to bring nature into the workday:

• Hold walking meetings outdoors

• Create outdoor break spaces

• Take classes outside for short lessons when possible

By incorporating small moments in nature into our routines, we can build a healthier, more balanced, and resilient district. Sometimes the best stress relief is simply stepping outside.

April is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and boost your mental wellness, but it also marks the start of tick season. Ticks are common in grassy, wooded, and even backyard areas, so it’s important to take a few simple precautions.

Protect yourself:

• Wear long sleeves and stick to clear paths
• Use insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
• Check your body (and pets) after being outside
• Shower soon after outdoor activity

Not sure which repellent to use? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers a helpful tool to find the right option for you!

A little prevention goes a long way so you can enjoy the benefits of nature while supporting your physical health, too.

April is recognized as Physical Wellness Month, a time to focus on habits that support overall health and well-being. Physical wellness includes staying active, eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and maintaining healthy daily routines.

Here are a few simple ways to prioritize your physical wellness this month:

1. Stay Active-Try to include regular movement in your day, such as walking, stretching, biking, or other activities you enjoy. Consistent physical activity supports energy levels, strengthens muscles and bones, and helps reduce the risk of chronic health conditions.

2. Stay Hydrated-Drinking enough water throughout the day is important for digestion, energy, and overall body function. Consider making hydration a focus this month by choosing water more often and limiting sugary beverages.

3. Eat Nutritious Foods-Incorporate a variety of nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole foods to support your body and immune system.

4. Prioritize Sleep and Manage Stress-Quality sleep and stress management are key parts of physical wellness. Aim for consistent rest and find ways to relax and recharge, such as spending time outdoors, reading, practicing mindfulness, or connecting with friends and family.

Small, consistent habits can make a big difference in supporting your physical health and overall well-being.

In a busy school environment, many employees rely on snacks to keep their energy up between classes, meetings, and activities. Snacking can be a helpful way to stay fueled throughout the day—but the type of snack we choose can make a big difference in how we feel.

Why Smart Snacking Matters

Many common workplace snacks—such as candy, pastries, chips, or sugary granola bars—provide quick energy but are often followed by an energy crash. This can leave us feeling tired, hungry again soon after eating, or struggling to stay focused.

A “smart snack” helps keep energy steady by combining protein, fiber, or healthy fats with carbohydrates. These nutrients digest more slowly and help you feel satisfied longer.

What Does a Balanced Snack Look Like?

Try pairing two food groups for longer-lasting energy. Here are a few examples:

• Apple slices with peanut butter

• Greek yogurt with berries

• Cheese with whole-grain crackers

• Hummus with carrots or bell peppers

• Trail mix with nuts and dried fruit

• A banana with a handful of almonds

Tips for Smarter Snacking at Work

• Keep a few healthy snacks at your desk or in the staff refrigerator.
• Drink water first—sometimes thirst feels like hunger.
• If snacks are visible in the staff room, pause and ask: “Am I actually hungry?”
• Choose snacks with protein or fiber to help you stay full longer.

Remember: Balance Is Key

Treats are part of many workplace celebrations, and enjoying them occasionally is completely normal. The goal isn’t to eliminate fun foods—it’s simply to make sure healthier options are available to help support steady energy throughout the school day.

Small choices can make a big difference in how we feel during a long and busy school day.

According to one study, happy people are 12% more productive at work. A perfect work environment is about feeling good about coming to work as you get the recognition, support, understanding, and motivation from your boss and colleagues. So how is this accomplished? Click on the picture above to read more about the six elements of a perfect work environment.

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

April 12 @ 3:00pm Bored Teachers "Is It Friday Yet?!" Comedy Tour The must see comedy event that every teacher and anyone who’s ever sat in a classroom can’t afford to miss. Teachers: your night out is calling. The funniest teacher-comedians on the planet are back with brand-new material, bigger laughs, and a fresh round of classroom-inspired chaos on the Bored Teachers “Is It Friday Yet?!” Comedy Tour. With 26 new dates just announced between January and March 2026, this wildly popular tour will be hitting cities across the U.S. and beyond. Click here to learn more.

April 13 - May 10 The Final Countdown Team Step Challenge It's the final countdown! Get ready to step it up as we push toward the finish line of the school year! The Final Countdown Challenge is a district-wide step competition where each school building will compete to see who can log the most steps before the final bell rings. Every step brings us closer to summer, and just like the classic song by Europe, we're gearing up for an epic finish. Will your building take the top spot? Or will you be just a heartbeat away from victory? Sign up here and join your team building!

April 16-19, Unbound Book Festival The Unbound Book Festival brings nationally and internationally recognized authors of world-class renown to Columbia, Missouri, to talk about their books, their work, and their lives. Their mission is to bring together readers and writers to create diverse communities, and to expose participants to new ideas and authors in order to inspire a life-long love of books and reading. If you want to find out more information or see the schedule of the festival visit their website here.

April 25, 2025 @ 8:00am Molly's Miles Join other joggers, walkers, etc. for a 5k or 10k benefiting the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S). The race will start and finish at the Molly Bowden Memorial Park located at 900 W. Nifong Blvd. Participants will run/walk through the Memorial Mile which is a stretch of the course that features signs and flags honoring all of the fallen law enforcement offices in the state of Missouri. To register for this event, click here!

April 25, 2025 @ 9am Float Your Boat Cardboard Regatta Float Your Boat is mid-Missouri’s original cardboard regatta, celebrating community and helping neighbors since 2012. Proceeds from Float Your Boat help The Food Bank feed neighbors in our 32-county service area. Float Your Boat is a great opportunity to gather friends, family, clubs or organizations to make a difference for neighbors facing food insecurity in mid-Missouri. Because of The Food Bank's relationships and bulk purchasing power, a $25 donation can help provide at least 100 meals to those in need. Learn more or register your team to race on The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri website.

April 26 @ 12:00pm Columbia Area Earth Day Festival The annual Columbia Area Earth Day Festival is back! Join in the fun and education as we celebrate Mother Earth and work to protect her. You will find lots of information on Eco Avenue, our sustainability block between 7th & 8th on Elm Street. Get gardening tips, talk with solar vendors, buy some sustainable products and learn about organizations working to save the planet. You will also find great entertainment on our music stages featuring something for everyone. Our Kids Park offers lots of fun for kids as they learn from our education and parks partners about conservation and nature. Visit over 200 booths featuring more than 50 artisans and businesses, organizations and food trucks. Come spend the day and celebrate and learn!

May 2-10 Bike, Walk, & Wheel Week Bike, Walk, & Wheel Week is Columbia’s annual celebration of using active transportation to get around our community. We're excited to host events during the week that focus on biking, walking, and wheeling for you to participate in! Click here for more information!

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