Commit to Be Fit Parent Newsletter

December 2023

In the Action Based Learning (ABL) Lab, all of our kiddos are Brain STARS! However, at the close of the first semester, nine students were recognized for their eagerness to follow direction, try their best at each movement station, and displayed respectfulness for the lab and fellow classmate.

Congratulations to the following students (listed by grade): Clara, Freya, Lexy, Lyla C., Isabel, Abigail, Ellie, Lyla P., and Genevieve.

While you have probably heard elementary school students talk about ABL, you may not realize the purpose behind it. In short, students complete a circuit of movement stations that are designed to strengthen movement foundations in grades K-2. Based on brain research that supports a link between movement and learning, the lab is structured to positively impact academics and classroom behavior for our young learners.

Learn more about the lab in an ARTICLE recently published in the Rappahannock News.

The high school elective class, taught by Jermey Gates, teaches students the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. Check out a recent class pic from a field trip to Mary's Rock on the Skyline Drive. This class will be offered again in the spring semester for RCHS students.

Check out a some of the yummy and nutritious school lunches that come from the cafeterias, pictured below! These are just a few of the scratch-based meals that have been offered at the elementary and high school this past semester. RCPS is the recipient of the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, a grant from Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) and USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to support our efforts to improve the nutritional quality of school meals. The generous funding has provided funds to hire a local farmer and chef, Brian Volmrich. He and the amazing cafe staff have been hard at work and the students have been enjoying the new, tasty menu items!

Parents & Guardians-- Sign up for our 8-Week, At-Home Strength Training Program, which will kick off on Monday, January 8th! To participate, all you need is a pair of dumbbells. CLICK HERE to register today.

Lace up your shoes and join us for Walking Group on Mondays! This group meets at 3:45 pm at the RCES flag pole. Whether you are competing in one of our physical activity challenges or you would like to get a few extra steps in, we would love for you to come out and walk with us! This group is open to the entire community. Tell your friends or bring them with you!

Due to the winter break, Walking Group will NOT meet on Dec. 18th, Dec. 25th, and Jan. 1st.

RCPS is excited to announce that the Fit Kids Clinic has reopened and is available to all RCPS students and staff. If your child gets sick at school, leaving work is not always easy. Telehealth makes it easier. With your consent, our telehealth presenter, Ms. Goode, will be able to use video telehealth technology to connect your child with a provider at Valley Health. In most cases, your child can be diagnosed without leaving school or you having to leave work. Conditions treated include: asthma, allergies, cough, colds, flu, ear aches, sore throats, fever, headaches, head lice, pink eye, and skin irritations. This clinic saves valuable time (for students and parents) and reduces absenteeism. The clinic is available for all students in grades PreK-12 with parental consent. Parents and Guardians- you can find the necessary paperwork at https://www.valleyhealthlink.com/about-us/school-based-telehealth-visits/

We all want the holidays to be a joyful time. Creating a positive family holiday experience involves a combination of planning, communication, and focus on shared enjoyment. Begin by involving everyone in the planning process, considering each family member’s preferences. Having an open dialogue ensures everyone feels understood about expectations.

Emphasize quality time together. Plan activities that cater to various interests and allow for bonding, whether it’s cooking together, games, or exploring festive events in your area. Be flexible. Holiday plans may not always go as expected, so having an adaptable mindset helps navigate unforeseen circumstances with grace.

Create traditions that are meaningful to your family. Whether it’s a special meal, a particular activity, or a unique way of exchanging gifts, these traditions can strengthen family bonds. Don’t forget to prioritize self-care for each family member. Ensure everyone has moments of relaxation and personal enjoyment amidst the holiday hustle.

Finally, be compassionate and demonstrate patience. Remember, even the Grinch’s heart grew when treated with kindness.

During an interview at VMI, my son was asked why he started distance running. I will never forget his answer. "My parents were both runners. My mom would let me run with her when I was little. I would apologize for slowing her down...(insert laugh)... but I really enjoyed it." While his answer will always be a wonderful memory, I can't take the credit. The truth is that my father was a runner and I began running at 4 years old when he was training for a marathon. In my young eyes, running was a part of daily life, just like making your bed and brushing your teeth. It turns out that my dad's love of running inspired me, which ultimately inspired my son.

Our little ones are always watching. If they see that you value physical activity, they are much more likely to become active themselves. In fact, a study by Moore et. al., found that children were up to five times more likely to be active as well compared to children of parents that were more sedentary. Yet, I have heard several parents throughout my years as a health coach talk about the guilt they feel for making time for themselves to be active. Rather than feeling guilty for making time to hit the gym, go for a run, or play sports, remember that you are setting a good example for your kiddos. By modeling an active lifestyle, you are instilling good habits that they may continue through their adulthood.

If you want to start new healthy physical activity habits, make it a family event.

• Try establishing a weekly family walk on the weekends.
• Learn a new dance together on YouTube.
• Go for a family bike ride.
• Play backyard sports: badminton, cornhole, frisbee, etc.
• Check out our 21 Family Activity Ideas for Break below for even more ideas.

Do you make a New Year's resolution? Resolutions often involve setting ambitious goals, which can lead to frustration and disappointment if these goals are unrealistic. Unrealistic expectations may set you up for failure from the start. I would like to challenge you to choose a guiding word. A guiding word for the year can be a powerful and flexible alternative to traditional New Year's resolutions. It provides a theme or focus to guide your decisions, actions, and mindset throughout the year. When selecting your guiding word for 2024, consider the following steps:

Reflect on Your Values and Goals:

• Reflect on your values, aspirations, and what matters most to you. Consider both personal and professional aspects of your life.

Identify Areas for Growth:

• Think about areas where you want personal growth or positive changes. This could be related to your relationships, career, health, or personal development.

Choose a Positive and Inspirational Word:

• Look for a word that resonates deeply and inspires a positive and proactive mindset. It could be a quality you want to embody or a theme that reflects your goals.

Keep it Simple:

• Choose a word that is simple and easy to remember. This makes it more likely that you will integrate it into your daily life and thoughts.

Consider Your Current Situation:

• Take into account your current circumstances and challenges. Your guiding word can be a source of strength and encouragement during good and challenging times.

Visualize Your Year:

• Imagine how your chosen word will play out in different aspects of your life throughout the year. Envision the positive impact it can have on your decisions and actions.

Be Open to Adaptation:

• Your guiding word should be flexible and adaptable to different situations. Life is dynamic, and your "word" can evolve as the year progresses.

Examples of guiding words could include "balance," "growth," "resilience," "joy," "connection," "focus," "creativity," or "gratitude." Once you've chosen your guiding word, keep it visible (write it down, set it as a screensaver, etc.) to remind yourself of your focus throughout the year.

Remember, the purpose of a guiding word is to inspire and guide rather than to create strict rules. It's a tool for mindfulness and intention-setting, helping you move toward a more fulfilling and purposeful life. Happy New Year! See you in 2024!

Parents & Guardians- Each week, C2BF publishes a newsletter filled with recent happenings, announcements, tips from the team, a featured recipe, and more! To sign-up to receive this in your inbox, CLICK HERE.