Dear Wildcat Families,

Health and wellness is such a critical part of our students' lives and we're really focusing on helping them make positive choices to feel good physically and mentally, including eating nutritious foods, getting regular exercise, enough sleep, managing stress, and practicing good hygiene, all while supporting their overall well-being and ability to learn effectively.

We hope you find this newsletter informative and helpful as we kick off our first one!!

The students had a great time listening to Ms. Kate talk about the importance of being heart healthy, making good choices, exercising and learning about the Hands-Only CPR method.

The students at West Vincent were treated to Peach Mango Smoothies which was a HUGE hit with the kids!! Many kids were asking our very own Chef Jonathan how to make them at home (hint hint, parents 🙂).

The kids at North Coventry were treated to a Sticks for Students assembly hosted by the Philadelphia Wings. This presentation included a Jeopardy-style game for students to learn and get engaged with activities like stretching and relay competitions while also covering topics on health and lacrosse. The program featured current Wings players and staff members.

We will be looking to get this program brought to each of our elementary schools as the kids had a ball!! 🥍

March 2nd - March 6th: Read Across America Week

March 5th & 6th: 1/2 days for students and Parent/Teacher conferences

March 9th: Daylight Savings (spring forward)

Week of March 17th: Go for the Greens (students get to taste test a secret snack)

March 31st: No school for students (Professional Development for Staff)

April 14th - 18th: No school for students (Spring Break)

April 23rd: Farm Day for our 1st graders

May 26th: No school for students (Memorial Day)

With Spring right around the corner, let’s do everything we can to get and stay healthy!

Sleep: as it stays lighter later and kids want to play outside, make sure to still get plenty of sleep. Did you know your growing body needs 10-12 hours of sleep every night!?

Eat Healthy: fuel your body with lots of nutrient-rich foods like veggies, fruit, and protein! And drink lots of water! We want your brain and body feeling good.

Move Your Body: make sure you’re moving your body every day! Maybe see how many jumping jacks you can do, or ask to go outside for 15-30 minutes every day!

Did you know that you can get a variety of free passes for places like the Please Touch Museum, Elmwood Zoo and Longwood Gardens through the Chester County Library? Click on the link below and take advantage of some of these great museums/zoos/botanical gardens/etc. FREE of charge.

Do you have a horse lover in your family? Check out Ryerss Farm in Pottstown where aged horses spend their days grazing and enjoying life with their friends. You can bring your dog but it must be leashed and you can even bring your lunch as they have plenty of picnic tables to take in the beautiful atmosphere of the farm. Open daily 10am-4pm.

How about a budding fisherman or woman? Check out Warwick Park which features an ADA accessible fishing deck along the French Creek which hosts both cold water and warm water species. The park also contains various pavilions, single-family picnic tables, two age-appropriate play areas, a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pit and a quoit pit.

Great Girls Today (4th - 6th grade) at the YMCA Complex (724 N Adams St, Pottstown, PA 19464), 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6pm - 8pm

Game Changers (4th - 6th grade) at the YMCA Complex, Saturdays from 11am - 3pm

We are looking for students, parents/guardians, community members, business representatives, doctors, dentists, hygienists, PAs, RNs, and more to join our building Wellness Committees and help us continue to create long-lasting health and wellness in our buildings, and throughout our district.

If you are interested in joining your student's Wellness Committee, please email Marisa DiChiacchio at mdichiacchio@ojrsd.net

Thank you for reading through our first newsletter...I hope you enjoyed it!!

Stay connected with us through our website and social media channels for the latest news and updates.

Warm regards,

Marisa DiChiacchio
HR & Wellness Specialist
Owen J. Roberts School District