Wellness Wednesday

• Eat nutrient-dense foods (whole grains, nuts/seeds, lean proteins, fruits/vegetables)
• Opt for color on your plate (foods with bright greens, vibrant reds, dark blues & purples)
• Shop the perimeter of the supermarket where less-processed foods are stocked
• Eat less salt
• Moderation ("make peace with all foods" & listen to your intuition when you are full)
• Meal plan or prep to avoid spontaneous grocery buys or fast-food stops
• Cut back on saturated fat and sugar
• Eat a healthy breakfast, preferably rich in fiber & low in fat and sugar
• Stay active & keep your body moving!

• Smart Starts with Veggies - begins March 19, 2026

• Testicular Cancer: Causes, Signs & Symptoms - begins April 16, 2026

Register Here

This month we are highlighting one of our exceptional Wellness Champions: Melissa R from Cotee River Elementary! Here's a bit more about her and all she is doing for her school community:

“I’ve spent 29 years in Pasco County Schools and 31 years in education. Over that time, I’ve made many friends—people I truly care about and who have made a huge difference in my life. When I was approached about being the Wellness Champion for my school, I immediately thought about all the people I’ve connected with over the years and how important they—and their wellbeing—are to me. It’s important to me that my friends and coworkers take care of themselves and understand that wellness isn’t just physical. It’s mental, emotional, and personal. We need to be our best selves for the students who depend on us. As they say, you cannot pour from an empty cup. I am far from perfect, physically or mentally—and that’s okay. Wellness isn’t about fitting into a bathing suit. It’s about connection. First, connection with yourself. Second, connection with others. As the Wellness Champion at Cotee River Elementary, I’m proud to share some of the amazing things our staff and students have accomplished this year. One of our biggest successes was our Walking Challenge, where 31 staff members participated. Together, we virtually walked all the way from New Port Richey to Sydney, Australia—an incredible reminder of how powerful we are when we take small steps together. To help keep wellness front and center, we also maintain a Wellness Board filled with simple, meaningful reminders: spend time with friends, take a quick walk, or pause to breathe. These little nudges help us slow down and take care of ourselves in the middle of busy school days. Staff record their self-care activities here and I distribute prizes for random squares. Our most recent highlight is the launch of our student J.O.G. Club—Journey of Growth. Although designed as a running club for students, many staff members join each session to walk, jog, or run alongside them. Not only are staff setting a wonderful example for healthy habits, but they’re also strengthening their own well-being. Finally, after Spring Break, all Cotee River staff will be invited to join a new Wellness Challenge designed to help us finish the school year strong—physically and mentally. Wellness is a journey, and together we’re making every step count."

Thank you, Melissa, for being such a positive role model for the Cotee River Elementary family! We truly appreciate and celebrate everything you do!

* If you are interested in becoming a Wellness Champion for your school or work site, please reach out to Audra at abaird@myhealthonsite.com or Heather at hhorvath@pasco.k12.fl.us *

Mighty Miller from Sand Pine wants to give a shout-out to Jeanette Rollins at the Cypress Creek MHO location. "She NEVER makes me feel like she is in a rush. Her sense of humor and compassion are second to none. In this digital world, she truly is an ACTIVE listener who stays present with you. Finally, when going over bloodwork and what it means, Ms Rollins takes the time to explain in detail what the results mean and how a patient can better their results. She is an absolute gem. We need more people like her!"

Thank you so much for the provider feedback, Mighty Miller! We're happy to know you feel heard and supported by Ms Rollins!

* If you have a health/wellness story or testimony you would like to share, please reach out to Audra at abaird@myhealthonsite.com. *

Upcoming March blood drive dates:

District Offices Bldg 1 ~ March 23 ~ 11:30 - 2:00

District Offices Bldg 4 ~ March 25 ~ 12:30 - 3:00

* No appointment necessary, but available below as a convenience

Call Center Phone # 727.353.3000

Hours of Operation:

The Call Center will be open to take appointments Monday–Friday from 8am to 5pm.

Face-to-Face, Televisit (via Video), and Telephonic (via Telephone) appointments are available.

If assistance is needed after hours, you will be re-routed to our 24-hour nurse line for ongoing patient services.

This month, Patty's Points answers frequent questions about zero-cost routine wellness visits and screenings. If you have specific questions or concerns, please reach out to Patty Nguyen at 813.794.2492 or Patricia.Nguyen@FloridaBlue.com

Neither Pasco Schools nor MHO recommends, endorses, warrants or guarantees any specific vendor, product or service available under or through the Blue365 Program or Site.

Must be a registered member of Florida Blue365

Lucet Employee Assistance Program

Lucet EAP offers confidential access to counseling, coaching, tools, resources and care to help you navigate life's changes. Topics include mental well-being, family & lifestyle, work & career, financial services, and legal services. Please take advantage of these free resources at your fingertips! Company code is Pasco

Click here to access Lucet

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a benefit program intended to ensure a healthy work environment for all staff. Through a partnership between Pasco County Schools and Lucet (our behavioral health care provider), our employees will have access to enhanced services. These services include counseling and referral for personal or work-related issues, health coaching, legal and financial consultation, and a wealth of online resources.

Click here for more information about EAP

Love languages are the ways people show and receive love/care. Understanding these 5 different love languages can help you become a better communicator and partner while also helping you learn more about yourself. To learn more, please click the button below.

You can now schedule counseling sessions directly through the Lucet EAP call center. The call center clinicians will personally assist in booking appointments for anxiety, ADHD, depression, grief, relationship/family issues, and work stress. These appointments can be booked in minutes, with most sessions available as soon as 24 hours later.

Wellness isn't limited to present physical health; planning for future retirement goals is just as important. Make sure you understand the retirement options available to you. Reach out to one of the District's Retirement Services Specialists to schedule an appointment (virtual or telephone) via the button below.

Pasco County Schools has partnered with CentsAbility Consulting Group to provide financial wellness resources and guidance, helping us plan for a more secure future. Please watch for upcoming events and workshops for FRS, DROP, Retirement Planning, Investing 101, Budgeting, and Social Security. Bookmark the Employee Benefits and Risk Management pages on the District website for future reference and announcements. For more information on checklist items you can look into right now courtesy of Chris Brown, President CentsAbililty Consulting Group, please click on the button below.

Privacy Notice

Email: wellness@pasco.k12.fl.us

Website: pascogohealthy.com
Location: 7227 Land O' Lakes Blvd, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638, USA
Phone: 813-794-2276