Wellness Week

The first week of May is Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada.  At Elmdale this is when we like to celebrate Wellness Week, where we encourage healthy habits for our students that will impact their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

This year, things are obviously different.  More than ever we need to be making sure to take care of our health and well-being.  Mr. Fast and I got together to create some ideas for this week to help students engage is healthy habits during this time.  Each morning you will receive a video where Mr. Fast and I explain the day's theme and some ideas of things to do.  A Bingo sheet is also included in your new work package for you to complete if you'd like!

Biking is one of the suggestions Mr. Fast and I will give you for Wellness Week!  What a great way to spend time outside in the nice Spring weather.  

Here are the themes for this year:

MUSIC MONDAY 🎵 - Music is a great tool for boosting our mood and expressing our emotions.   What's your favourite feel-good song? 
TAKE IT OUTSIDE TUESDAY 🌞- Fresh air and sunshine has a lot of benefits for our mental and physical health.  Be sure to get outside today!  What's your favourite outdoor activity? 
WHAT'S UP? WEDNESDAY 📱- These days we miss seeing some of our friends and relatives.  Our relationships are so important for our well-being!  What's something you like about your friends?  Today, call, video chat or write a letter to someone who does not live in your house.  Ask them "What's up?" to see how they are doing and how they are spending their days. Tell them what you like about them!
THANKFUL THURSDAY 🧡- It's easy right now to focus on all the things we can't do, which can leave us feeling sad and frustrated.  Gratitude is an important skill for our mental health.  What things are you thankful for today?  
FITNESS FUN FRIDAY 🏃-  Staying active has so many benefits for our overall health and wellness.  Do something active today that you really enjoy.  What's your favourite way to keep active?

Recognize this person?? This is a photo from Wellness Week 2019. I'm grateful for my friend Mrs. Thiessen who I got to work with at both Elmdale and Mitchell Elementary.  I have known her for many years and she's taught me a lot about being a teacher.  We love to walk and talk together outside, often with a dog or two along🙂.  I haven't seen her in quite a while now so I look forward to doing this again, even from 2M apart.  It's a great way to stay active,spend time with a friend, and enjoy the outdoors all at once! 

I would love to hear your answers to some of the questions above!  Feel free to email me at tklassen@hsd.ca.  You can also use these questions to interview a family member or two about things that they find help them stay healthy and well.  Please also send your wellness week photos to either myself or Mr. Fast.  We would love to see what you're up to!

Have a great week!