Wildcat PRIDE
August 2013
What’s Inside LIFE Welcome New Blessings Events and News Back to School Collage New Employee Assistance Program Live Well, Work Well Health Benefits of Yoga Sports Safety Eye Protection
CULTURE Ed Foundation Consignment Sale Make a Difference Day Girls on the Run Coach Search
Cover Art: Teacher words to describe French Creek Elementary Here is a link to their video: http://animoto.com/ play/oyfFfSCs6Padaz13NQ5gVQ
New Employee Assistance Provider
SERVICES AVAILABLE
SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES IN A COMPLEX WORLD.
CO UNSELING for family , pe rsonal and wo rk -r elated matters Qualified, licensed professional counselors.
F INANCIAL SERVICES Financial counseling and help with debt management, savings, etc.
LEG AL SERVICES Wills, legal documents, electronic storage, etc.
REFERRALS Child care, adoption, relocation, college,
Owen J. Roberts has a deep concern for the wellbeing of all its employees and realizes that we are not always prepared to handle all the stress and personal difficulties we may encounter in our lives. In response to this need, we have retained the services of PENN Behavioral Health, which
elder care, educational resource information
1-888-321-4433 or pennbehavioralhealth.org Log on: Owen J Roberts Password: Owen J Roberts
can offer professional consultation on a broad range of personal, family and work -related matters. We believe that this service is a natural extension of self-help and will be available as a supplement to family, religious, or medical assistance.
800.789.PENN
PennMedicine.org
Penn Behavioral Health Corporate Services
800.789.PENN
PennMedicine.org
A n I n t ro d u c t i o n to th e
EAP
As life’s challenges seem to become more complex, you don’t have to face those challenges alone. Managing the
Employee Assistance Program
Complexities of Life Just Got Easier!
Penn Behavioral Health Employee Assistance Program
888.321.4433 … Managing the Complexities of Life …
28392-xm-x/11
www.pennbehavioralhealth.com
EAP Brochure_bifoldvs2.indd 1
Brought to you by:
Penn Behavioral Health Corporate Services
2/9/11 2:04 PM
If you are having a problem or would like some information or resources,
CALL 888.321.4433, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week
There are times when personal problems can affect a person’s well-being and job performance. For this reason, your company offers this confidential-free service to provide assistance to employees and their dependents. The Employee Assistance Program includes three components: • Access to a confidential-toll-free number
24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week where you can speak directly to a master’s level counselor who will help answer questions and direct you to trained professional counselors. • Free personal visits for you and your eligible
dependents through a network of high-quality EAP providers located at offices near where you live or work. • Follow up and appropriate referrals for
ongoing counseling needs.
The EAP Can Find Resources to Help You with Problems in the Following Areas: • Aging • Anxiety • Caregiving • Career Planning • Depression • Emotions • Eating Disorders • Family Problems • Grief and Loss
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• Illness and Medical
Concerns
A Free, Professional, Confidential Counseling Service For You and Your Dependent’s Personal and Professional Needs Or if you prefer, go online to www.pennbehavioralhealth.org
EAP Support and Service When you call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an experienced clinician will help you identify your areas of concern. • The face-to-face counseling sessions are generally
one hour and are conducted by providers with specialties in various areas. • After the initial meeting with the counselor, a
determination will be made for future counseling options utilizing the EAP. • At the end of your EAP sessions, if you still have
counseling needs, the counselor will discuss further options available for you.
Work/Life Services Can Find Resources to Help You with Issues in the Following Areas: • Becoming a Parent • Preparing for Pregnancy • Adopting • The Essentials of
• Options for
Growing Children • Camp Programs • Specialized Programs
for Children
• Marriage
Good Parenting
• Parenting
• Keeping Kids Safe
• Relationships
• Keeping Kids Healthy
• Sexual Difficulties
• Child Care
• Stress
• Special Needs
• Elder Care
• Substance Abuse
• Emergency Care
• Legal
• Violence
• School Age Decisions
• Financial
• Advanced Educational
Opportunities • Mature Adult
Transitions
2/9/11 2:04 PM
Candice Wiese shares that Mary Rose Wiese born on 4/22 at 7:54 am. She was 9 lbs 12 oz and 21.5" long
Rachel Hoffman welcomed Aidan David (below) born June 4 weighing 5 pounds 14 ounces
Marrisha Pyle and husband Donald welcomed Victoria Michelle on June 24, weighing 7lbs 13oz, and measuring 22� in length
Making the Mark
Rich Marchini has been competing in triathlons for the last 3 years (swim ,bike, run). Each year, he takes on longer and more challenging races. This year he is competing in a Half Iron Man—the Savageman 70 . Along with this challenge comes an opportunity to raise money for a great charity related to cancer research. Check out the website to donate or learn more: https://www.winthefight.org/skininthegame.html? id=1052
Back to School Candids
August 2013 Brought to you by: The Reschini Group
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month When it comes to thinking about children’s health, eye injuries and vision impairments are probably not among the first ailments that come to mind. Yet more than 12.1 million school-age children—nearly 25 percent—have vision impairments. Additionally, thousands of children age 5 and under suffer eye injuries each year at home, in the car and at play. Eye injuries affect older children as well, accounting for a majority of the 42,000 annual sportsrelated eye injuries. Appropriate eye care is essential for maintaining good vision. Most eye problems in children can be corrected if they are detected and treated early. However, many problems can result in permanent vision loss if left untreated. Your child's eyes should be examined during regular pediatric appointments, and vision testing should be conducted around age 3. The most common types of eye problems seen in children are: Myopia (nearsightedness) Strabismus (crossed eyes) Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Some of the signs your child might be experiencing impaired vision:
Wandering or crossed eyes Blurred or double vision Headaches or pain in the eyes Difficulty copying from board at school Holding books close to read or sitting
close to the TV Squinting Sensitivity to light Burning, itching, watery
eyes, or inexplicable redness in the eyes
To minimize the risk of eye injuries, young children should only have access to age-appropriate toys devoid of sharp or protruding parts or that can fire projectiles. Older children with glasses should wear polycarbonate lenses when playing sports. Children should also have access to sunglasses and be taught the importance of limiting exposure to UV rays, as they are more susceptible to UV damage than adults.
Distracted Walking Cellphone usage has long been considered hazardous while driving, with 47 states having at least some restrictions limiting cell phone operation while behind the wheel. Now new research shows that mobile devices can also lead to injuries for distracted pedestrians as well. The report is titled “Pedestrian injuries due to mobile phone use in public places.” After mining data from the National Electronic Surveillance System, researchers estimated that the number of pedestrians who are treated in an emergency room every year for injuries suffered while using cellphones has more than doubled since 2004. In 2010, the most recent year surveyed, over 1,506 people were admitted for injuries suffered from inattentive walking. The study’s lead author called for more awareness when traveling by foot. Additionally, the CDC recommends crossing streets only in designated crosswalks, observing drivers who appear to be turning, and increasing visibility with reflective clothing and a flashlight when walking at night.
DID YOU KNOW According to a 2012 study, nearly one in three pedestrians is distracted by a mobile device while crossing busy intersections.
Summer Dieting Tips While we often think of winter as the season most likely to wreak havoc on our waistlines, all that barbeque, potato salad, beer and ice cream can pack quite the caloric punch when the sun is hot and the days are long. To keep your diet in check and avoid overdoing it this summer, follow these simple tips: 1.
Substitute, substitute, substitute. Swap grilled fish and veggie kabobs in place of steak and pork. Substitute frozen yogurt or popsicles for ice cream.
2.
Drink lots of water. Not only is it important to stay hydrated during the hottest time of the year, water also fills you up between meals, resulting in fewer calories consumed.
3.
Turn down the air conditioning. Studies show that when your body is exposed to heat and humidity, your appetite decreases and you eat less.
Surviving a Heat Wave An area is said to be experiencing a heat wave when temperatures are above normal for the region for at least four days in a row. With much of the country approaching nearrecord high temperatures this summer, it’s important to know what steps to take when heat becomes deadly. 1.
Remain in air-conditioned buildings. Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
2.
Limit outdoor activity, especially during midday when it is hottest, and avoid direct sunlight. When outside, wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
3.
Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature.
4.
Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you are thirsty. Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
5.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and liquids containing a high amount of sugar, which can dehydrate you.
6.
Monitor local weather reports for extreme heat warnings.
7.
Never leave people or pets in a closed, parked vehicle.
8.
Learn the symptoms of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and how to respond.
4.
Exercise. Take advantage of the warm weather by going for a jog or swim, or playing an outdoor sport. Just be careful to exercise during the cooler part of the day and drink plenty of water.
20-Minute Chicken Creole This Southern dish is quick to make, and contains no added fat and very little added salt in its spicy tomato sauce. 1 tbsp. vegetable oil 2 chicken breasts (whole, skinless, boneless) 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes 1 cup low sodium chili sauce 1 large green pepper (chopped) 2 celery stalks (chopped) 1 small onion (chopped) 2 garlic cloves (minced) 1 tsp. dried basil 1 tsp. dried parsley ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper ¼ tsp. salt Heat pan over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and chicken and cook three to five minutes until no longer pink when cut. Reduce heat to medium. Add tomatoes with juice, chili sauce, green pepper, celery, onion, garlic, basil, parsley, cayenne pepper and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve over cooked rice or whole grain pasta. Yield: 8 servings. Each serving provides 130 calories, 3g of fat, 20mg of cholesterol, 230mg of sodium and 2g of fiber. Source: Oregon State University Cooperative Extension Service
This brochure is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2013 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
Health and wellness tips for your work, home and life— brought to you by the insurance specialists at The Reschini Group
The Health Benefits of Yoga Yoga has been practiced for more than 5,000 years as a way to improve health and well-being. By uniting the mind, body and spirit, the health benefits of practicing yoga can be seen both physically and mentally. Yoga Basics Yoga is a science that consists of observations, principles and theories regarding the connection between the mind, body and spirit. It is physically, emotionally and mentally challenging. While this is true, it is a misconception that you need to be flexible and in good physical shape in order to practice yoga. Yoga will help you become more aware of your body’s patterns of movement, posture and alignment—increasing your flexibility and fitness level. Not only that, but yoga is also often used as a stress-management and relaxation technique. The practice of yoga involves performing a variety of poses, called asanas, along with breathing exercises and meditation to cleanse and unify your body, mind and spirit. These combined actions increase blood circulation, which can stimulate the body to “flush out” toxins. Regular practice of the stretches, twists, bends and inversions— the basic movements of yoga poses—
have many physical and mental health benefits. Flexibility Because yoga requires you to stretch your body in new and sometimes unfamiliar ways, it helps you to become more flexible by using a greater range of motion of your muscles and joints. This releases the lactic acid build-up within your muscles that causes stiffness, tension and fatigue. Yoga also stretches the soft tissues of your body, such as ligaments and tendons. As you continue to practice yoga, you can expect to notice increased flexibility in your back, hamstrings, hips and shoulders. Strength There are many specific styles of yoga, and practicing any kind of yoga will help improve muscle tone and strength. While some poses target upper-body strength and others stress lower-body strength, almost all yoga poses build core strength in the abdominal muscles.
Posture With greater flexibility and strength comes better posture. Because yoga poses develop core strength and body awareness, you will become more conscious of your posture. With a stronger core, you are also more likely to sit and stand without slouching. Stress Reduction Any kind of physical activity contributes to relieving stress, and this is especially true with yoga. Due to yoga’s quiet and precise movements, it has the capability to pull your focus away from busy daily responsibilities and toward a more calm state by moving your body through sets of poses with balance and concentration.
Did You Know…? Yoga is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning “to join” or “to unite” in practice. A male who practices yoga is referred to as a yogi, while a female who practices yoga is called a yogini. According to a study by the Yoga Journal, there are over 15 million yogis and yoginis in the United States today.
This brochure is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2007-2010, 2012 Zywave, Inc.All rights reserved.
Health and wellness tips for your work, home, and life—brought to you by the insurance and healthcare specialists at The Reschini Group.
Sports Safety: Eye Protection Protect your most important asset Various types of injuries occur
while playing sports, such as strained muscles or ligaments, but many of the most serious injures are eye-related. Eye Protection We wear helmets to protect our heads, and pads and braces to protect our bones and joints – taking the extra steps to prevent concussions, broken bones, bruises and chipped teeth. But what do we do to prevent the possibility of permanent vision loss, a scratched cornea or a fractured eye socket? Broken bones and bruises will heal, but a serious eye injury can disable you from participating in your favorite sport for the rest of your life. Sports-Related Eye Injuries There are three main types of eye injuries most often associated with sports accidents:
Blunt trauma – This occurs when something hits your eye. A common example of this injury is a black eye or bruising of the eye and eyelid. Blunt traumas cause the majority of sportsrelated eye injuries.
Penetrating injuries occur when something cuts into your eye. This type of injury can happen when another person’s finger scratches you in the eye. This type of injury is not very common. Radiation injuries – These are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun. They often occur in sports such as snow skiing or snowboarding, water-skiing and other water-related sports.
Eye Gear Guidelines Prescription sunglasses, regular sunglasses and occupational safety glasses do not provide adequate protection to your eyes while participating in sports. It is recommended you invest in eye guards; these should fit securely and comfortably. The following guidelines can help you find eye guards that are right for you:
sports or optical store to be sure they have been tested for sports use.
Ask your eye care professional to fit you with prescription eye guards if you have prescription glasses.
Be sure your eye guards contain the correct lenses and that they are secure or pop outwards, away from the eye.
It may feel strange to wear eye guards at first, but bear with it; you will get used to them. It’s a lot more comfortable than an eye injury.
Purchase eye guards at a
Did You Know...? The ways in which an unprotected eye may be injured in a sporting event are too numerous to count, with thousands damaging or losing their vision each year. However, the good news is that the majority of these eye injuries are preventable if using appropriate protective eyewear.
This brochure is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. Content © 2008-2009 Zywave, Inc.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
…BE
A COACH
Girls on the Run is a fun, transformational after-school program for girls in grades 4 – 6. Programs combine training for successful completion of a 5K with lessons that develop character and build self-esteem. Each site requires at least 2 coaches. Girls on the Run coaches are volunteers. Coaches DO NOT have to be elite runners. Head coaches must be 18, but younger junior coaches are welcome too. Program meets 2 times a week for the 10week program September 23 through December 8. The Girls on the Run 5K and STRIDE Challenge will be held on Sunday, December 8 at Downingtown West. Coaches must attend coach training and head coach must be CPR certified (training provided free of charge). Coaches receive all necessary materials and support throughout the program. Teams of coaches encouraged. It’s fun with a friend. YOU can be a Girls on the Run coach! Contact Jo-an Rechtin, JRechtin@ojrsd.com
OJR Middle School
September 14 8:00 am—12:30 pm
Make Money by Cleaning Your Closet Children’s Apparel
Costumes
Toys
www.ojref.org WE NEED YOU! Seller space still available Do You Have Kids’ Items You No Longer Use?
Pre-sale for sellers and volunteers Friday evening, 5:30 pm-8:00 pm Questions? Please contact: Kathy Soeder ksoeder@ojrsd.com or Lori Palmer (610) 470-4637 or lpalmer@ojrsd.com
Baby Gear
8th Annual OJRSD Make A Difference Day Saturday, October 26, 2013 Donations of nonperishable food, personal care items, and paper goods will be collected in all OJR buildings from October 14th through the 25th to support The Coventry Food Pantry (formerly known as The North Coventry Food Pantry). Please visit www.coventryfoodpantry.moonfruit.com for more information about the Coventry Food Pantry. Please visit http://www.usaweekend.com/section/mdday for more information about Make A Difference Day. View video of previous Make A Difference Day events: http://animoto.com/play/ReV0YH687mnjjEBkG9ZDIA **(Please do not “like” or post this video to social media sites)**
The community is invited to bring donations for The Coventry Food Pantry to Wildcat Stadium between 10AM-2PM on Saturday, October 26th during our 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk-A-Thon to support Unite for Her, an organization that is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of those dealing with breast cancer as well as providing wellness programs that educate, empower, and restore. Please visit www.uniteforher.org for more information about Unite for Her. View video of previous Breast Cancer Awareness Walk-A-Thon: http://animoto.com/play/d4MzCU4nRP1nC0BT8xmMEw **(Please do not “like” or post this video to social media sites)**
HELP NEEDED: Please contact Krista Venza at kvenza@ojrsd.com if you are interested in helping to plan the Make A Difference Day events for the Coventry Food Pantry collections and/or the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk-A-Thon. If you coach a Fall sport or sponsor a club and would be interested in your students hosting a “Pink Out” to support Unite for Her, please contact Krista Venza at kvenza@ojrsd.com. For more information about Unite for Her, please visit www.uniteforher.org.
Thank you for helping those in need in our community!