Health Update: Health Update: RSU 14 participates in ‘Olympic Rings Wellness Challenge’ – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
Wellness is important to RSU 14, and this year’s theme is “Take Care of Yourself.”
According to Donna Morton, RSU 14 Wellness Coordinator, wellness doesn’t have to be running a marathon but can be simple everyday habits like drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, eating well, relaxing, breathing, walking, getting checkups, and having fun with friends and family.
“So many people are juggling jobs and families, feeling like there isn’t enough time to take care of themselves,” she said. “The RSU14 Wellness Team’s mission is to provide information, wellness tips, inspiration and challenges for all staff.”
Morton said that this month’s challenge was the “Olympic Rings of Wellness” where RSU 14 staff could earn each of the five Olympic rings which corresponded the different dimensions of wellness including social-blue, emotional-red, nutritional-yellow, fitness-green and intellectual-black.
“It was fun to see staff and students pass the Olympic Torch of Hope and Wellness around,” Morton said.
In 2024, to demonstrate the benefits of being outdoors, Raymond Elementary School hosted a special Wellness Walk and Nature Talk as outdoor experiences have been proven to help improve academic and physical performance for many students. Morton said the Wellness Program strives to show that time spent learning and playing in nature benefits the whole child and can help children attain their full potential.
She said that this month’s “Olympic Rings Wellness Challenge” focused on the importance of teacher and staff wellness and how it can influence school culture and climate, student instruction, and foster student academic, personal, and emotional development. Focusing on staff wellness also affects the stability of the workforce as RSU 14 teacher and staff wellness influences day-to-day school activity.
“Last year we did a March Madness Challenge for Fruit in which watermelon won and this year we’re going to have March Madness for Veggies,” Morton said. “It will be fun to see which vegetable wins and the creative recipes with them.”
The school district’s Wellness Program is far reaching and comprehensive and aims to improve health for not only students, but also for teachers and adult staff members who work with RSU 14 students, Morton said. The program is committed to providing an environment within RSU 14 schools that support student wellness, healthy food choices, nutrition education, physical education, and regular physical activity not only for students but also for school staff.
School staff wellness programs such as the RSU 14 Wellness Program improve retention, reduce absenteeism, and enhance productivity by addressing physical, mental, and emotional health, Moron said.
Effective initiatives include offering mental health resources, on-site fitness challenges, healthy food options, and creating dedicated, relaxing spaces for staff to reduce burnout and foster a supportive environment.
“Wellness is important for everyone, young and old,” Morton said. “By practicing self-care for even a few minutes a day, you could notice a significant positive change in your well-being. Do what makes you happy, be with people that make you happy, whether it’s quiet time, sleeping in, a bath, a book, a movie, a quiet walk, yoga, skiing, skating, dancing, bowling, hiking, snowmobiling, walking the dog, or getting out with friends, take time for yourself and be good to yourself.” <