Revised PRIDE Jan 2013 by ojrdsd

Wildcat PRIDE going

Display Art from East Vincent Elementary

What’s Inside LIFE

Staff Announcements Fitness Opportunities Employee Benefits Fair The Food Truck is Coming... Live Well, Work Well Vision Care Radon Facts HMS Real Life Help—Stress Busters CULTURE Upcoming Events Calendar Girls on the Run Coach Information Loving Your Greens Zucchini Recipe

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Suessical, the Musical PMEA District 12 Choir Friends of the Arts Craft Show

Employee Benefits Fair February 15

11:30-3

High School Lobby Enjoy a healthy lunch with friends Learn about your employee benefits Enter drawings for prizes Speak with Financial Experts Get discounts for local Fitness Outlets, Costco & BJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Sunflower Mobil CafĂŠ on main campus 7:30-2:00

Independence Blue Cross United Concordia HMS Rascals Train with Corey Twin Valley Family Fitness Dragonfly McCormick Chiro Passion for Fitness Final Results Fitness

Kades-Margolis AIG Main Line Financial Waddell & Reed Oppenheimer Lincoln Investment Metlife AXA Citi Credit Union Diamond Credit Union

Making the Mark Owen J. Leads the Way

NEW BOOK BENEFITS ED FOUNDATION Principal John Barr is passionate about positive cultures and has contributed, with colleagues, much work in the high school to achieve a team mentality and develop a system where each person’s voice may be heard in the organization. “In the long run, it is great for the kids,” said Mr. Barr. His book, published this month by Tate Publishing, “Before Glory”, is a how-to book about establishing positive organizational culture. "Before Glory" methods have been used at Owen J. Roberts High School. Order from this site to assure Foundation’s full contribution: http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-62295-310-3 All proceeds from the sale of “Before Glory” will be donated to the Owen J. Roberts Education Foundation to fund innovations in the classroom. Proceeds will be greater when ordered from the above website. 168 pages - $12.99 (paperback)

TWO WAYS TO SHARE YOUR NEWS Facebook and the District Blog allow the opportunity to share good news every day! http://ojrsdnews.blogspot.com/

Announcing... Kristen Violette Announces: Reagan Mae Violette born on December 24, 2012 at 1:00pm. She weighed 6 lbs and 1 oz and was 19 1/4 inches long

F e b ru a ry 2 0 1 3 Inspiring Excellence. Inspired Students. Inspirational Events.

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

OJR Hosts PMEA District 12 Choir

14 Staff Benefits Fair

Prom Fashion Show

Read Across America Read In Schedule of Events 



Feb. 6-9 OJR Hosts PMEA District 12 Choir The guest director is world renowned composer, Sydney Guillaume (who is now a really good friend of mine)! He will be arriving here from Los Angeles via Haiti. We are world-premiering a work of another composer Ben Hjertmann, which will be dedicated to OJRHS and the District 12 Chorus! Very, very exciting!

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Feb. 26-March 8 Great Food Fight The Great Food Fight! is an annual food drive that helps thousands of families in the Delaware Valley who are in need. The canned goods benefit Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, and food collected through Philabundance goes directly to the families in need.

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Feb 22 Prom Fashion Show Proceeds benefit a safe-

haven after-prom party. Plan for an entertaining evening of beautiful evening wear and splendid student talent

M a rc h 2 0 1 3 Inspiring Excellence. Inspired Students. Inspirational Events.

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

FOA Craft Sale

Suessical Breakfast and FOA craft sale

Suessical, the Musical Suessical

Schedule of Events 

Mar 2 Suessical Cast Breakfast

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Mar2-3 Friends of the Arts Craft Sale

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Mar 18 Go for the Greens

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Mar 15-17 Suessical, the Musical

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Mar 22 Mini-THON

Come Thinkers! Big and Small! The Cat and his friends Invite you to play You’ll play without end In Seussville for the day! We’ll take a trip to Whoville And the Jungle of Nool, From Mulberry Street Down to McElligot’s Pool! We’ll sing and we’ll dance And we’ll tell a few jokes We’ll eat and we’ll dream And we’ll read some fun books!

So Thinkers, come join us! We can’t wait to see All the Thinks you can think And the Dreams you can dream!

The Cast of Owen J. Roberts High School 2013 Spring Musical Invites ALL THINKERS to

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL CHARACTER BREAKFAST Saturday, March 2, 2013 Seating One: 8:00 – 10:00 am/Doors open 7:40 am Seating Two: 10:00 – 12:00 pm/Doors open 9:40 am $10 Adults / $5 Students Owen J. Roberts MIDDLE School 881 Ridge Road, Pottstown, PA 19465 LIMITED SEATING! PLEASE RSVP to SeussBreakfast@gmail.com or 610-469-5341

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

…BE

A COACH

Girls on the Run and Girls on Track (MS) are fun, transformational after-school programs for girls in grades 4 – 8. 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. The Girls on the Run model is volunteer-driven.  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 10-week program starting March 11.  The Girls on the Run 5K and STRIDE Challenge will be held on Saturday, June 1.  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, Girls on Track or STRIDE coach! Contact Jo-an Rechtin, JRechtin@ojrsd.com

STRIDE is a fun fitness and running program for boys in grades 4 through 6. Boys have the chance to share their thoughts and opinions about various life topics in a safe, Owen J. Roberts has not fielded a STRIDE team to date. If you have interest in coaching a STRIDE team, please contact Jo-an

Go for the Greens--Zucchini In March, the Wellness Council sponsors Go for the Greens, a celebration of good food and good fun! Research shows that eating vibrant green whole foods boosts your immune and metabolic systems. Very few of us get the recommended 3 cups of dark greens/week. Add to your intake and get into the spirit of the 2013 Green Vegetable, Zucchini, with this recipe shared by Marcia Young.

Oven Baked Zucchini Chips Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 40 mins

Ingredients ¼ cup dry whole wheat breadcrumbs ¼ cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (you could also use skim milk)  2½ cups (1/4-inch-thick) slices zucchini  Cooking spray      

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 2. Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl stirring with a whisk. 3. Place milk in a shallow bowl. Dip zucchini slices in milk and dredge in breadcrumb mixture. 4. Place coated slices on an oven proof wire rack coated with cooking spray; place rack on a baking sheet. 5. Bake for 30 minutes or until browned and crisped. 6. Enjoy!

Interested in a fitness class at a different time or location? We need 8 committed staff and an available location! There is some grant funding available for this year. Contact JRechtin@ojrsd.com

SWIM—See the lights on in the Middle School wee hours? We have morning lap swimming from 5:30am - 6:30am on M-W-F, and recreational swim on Friday nights from 8-9pm. Contact Suzy Snyder, SSnyder@ojrsd.com

STAFF BOOT CAMP on MAIN CAMPUS SHAZAM! Special Employee Pricing at just $79 (less than $5/class with 17 classes and one bonus class) 2:45 PM on Mondays and Thursdays Beginning January 17 – March 25 Meet in the MS lobby Payment is deducted from payroll

ZUMBA Thursdays at the HS beginning January 24 2:45-3:30 North Wing LGI Free for students and staff *paid through Fit for Life grant

ZUMBA AT DRAGONFLY YOGA Only $7 for OJR staff Taught by our very own Jessica Verwys Wednesdays at 4:30 *discount arranged through Fit for Life

YOGA Tuesdays at the HS 2:45 North Wing LGI Free for students and staff * paid through Fit for Life grant

Parked on Main Campus for the Employee Benefits Fair February 15 6:45-2:30 Serving coffee, breakfast and lunch Just for you!!!!

The Sunflower Truck Stop is a 21st century food and dining experience unlike what you might expect from a traditional street-side restaurant. This is not a Lunch Truck or Roach Coach. We can bring the cafe experience to you. Great food, friendly service, quirky decor and a business with personality and love for food and its customers. It's new, it's different, it's on the move, it's awesome and it's worth a try.

GRAB A FRIEND AND HAVE A HEALTHY IN-SERVICE LUNCH!

January 2013 Brought to you by: The Reschini Group

Tips for Sticking to Your Resolutions It’s not uncommon for the motivation to stick to New Year’s resolutions to fizzle out as quickly as an uncorked bottle of champagne. The enthusiasm of new goals often fades as the temptation to indulge takes over. Stick with your resolutions this year by following these tips when selecting what to aim for: 



Set specific goals. A vague goal is more easily broken. Try taking a larger goal and dividing it into manageable tasks. Set measurable goals. If there’s no way to track your progress, you’ll have more opportunity to slip—make sure there are ways for you to check your progress along the way. Choose goals that are meaningful to you, not to somebody else. If you’re doing it for yourself, rather than to please others, you’ll have much more motivation to succeed. Aim to achieve, not to avoid. Rather than saying you’ll stop eating unhealthy snacks, think of what you want to achieve,

such as snacking on fruits or vegetables when your stomach starts to rumble. 



Don’t do what you’ve always done. Try something new, especially if what you’ve been doing hasn’t worked. Make family and friends aware of your resolutions—tell them what you’re trying to achieve and ask them to hold you accountable. If you’re the only one who knows your goals, it may be easier to give up on them.

Thyroid Awareness Month Thyroid disorders are not uncommon. This month, promote thyroid awareness by discussing the following risk factors and detection methods: 

Thyroid conditions are genetic



Certain medications can affect your thyroid , such as lithium and amiodarone



Radiation therapy to the head or neck could affect your thyroid. For example, radiation therapy for tonsils, an enlarged thymus or acne



The Thyroid Neck Check is an easy way to check for possible disorders—for instructions, visit www.empoweryourhealth.org/n eck-check

DID YOU KNOW Roughly 1 in 10 Americans may be affected by thyroid disorders, but more than half of these individuals remain undiagnosed.

Busting Through Your Weight Loss Plateau When you first start a new exercise routine, your body tends to shed excess water weight so it appears as though you are trimming the fat easily and quickly. After this happens, the pounds may take much longer to drop off. Don’t let the plateau discourage you, though. Try these tips to stay on track: 

Take measurements in addition to stepping on the scale—even if your weight is staying constant, you are likely losing inches



Strive to fit a certain size of clothing, rather than fixating on making a certain weight



Keep a food journal to track everything that you eat and drink, and to avoid giving in to unhealthy temptations



Increase your exercise regimen; as you lose weight, it takes longer for you to burn calories



Mix up your workout routine by adding exercises such as strength training or a weekly aerobics class

Protecting Your Credit

Winter Crisp Dessert

Your credit history is vital to your future, making it crucial that it is accurate. When you apply for loans, credit cards or even apartments, your credit history affects whether or not you are approved and how high your interest rate is. Follow these guidelines to protect your credit score.

Only 1 tablespoon of margarine is used to make the crumb topping of this tart and tangy, cholesterol-free, low-sodium fruit dessert.



Review your credit report regularly and know your credit score



When using your debit card, run it as “credit”



Avoid store credit cards



Pay off outstanding debt



Request a higher limit on your credit card, but don’t spend it



Freeze your credit if you don’t need it

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Only give out your Social Security Number when absolutely necessary

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Ask your bank to report suspicious activity



Create complicated passwords and PINs



Develop a system to track all credit cards and accounts that you have

½ c. sugar 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. lemon peel, grated ¾ tsp. lemon juice 5 c. apples, sliced and with peels 1 c. cranberries 2/3 c. rolled oats 1/3 c. brown sugar, packed ¼ c. whole wheat flour 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tbsp. soft margarine, melted In a medium bowl, combine sugar, flour and lemon peel; mix well. Add lemon juice, apples and cranberries; stir to mix. Spoon into a 6-cup baking dish. In a small bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Add melted margarine; stir to mix. Sprinkle over filling. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 40-50 minutes or until filling is bubbly and top is brown. Serve warm. Yield: 6 servings. Each serving provides 284 calories, 6g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol and 56mg sodium. Source: www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Put these tips into practice to keep your credit safe.

THIS WEEKEND, Steel River Playhouse in Pottstown, PA has a special opportunity for area teachers and administrators. To introduce you to this season’s interactive Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) production of the award-winning children’s musical, EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES, we offer teachers and administrators a COMPLIMENTARY TICKET to any of our three public matinees (this Saturday at 11:00 am & 3:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm). After this weekend’s public performances, EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES is available for school-day field trips and traveling performances to schools and community groups through early June 2013. TYA productions are designed for grades K through 6, but are fun for all ages. Performances last approximately 1 hour, followed by a cast “talk-back” and, for at-theater performances, a backstage tour and discussion of theater technical elements (e.g., main stage, rehearsal rooms, costume shop, scene shop, dressing rooms). Prices for school day trips are very modest at less than $5 per student (details below). More details are below. Show poster, tickets, complimentary study guide, and additional details are available at http://www.steelriver.org/2012/12/show-especially-for-young-audiences/. If you would like to invite your students to attend this weekend’s PUBLIC performances, we can email you a handout for that as well. About Emperor’s New Clothes Adaptation by Lani Brockman; Music & Lyrics by Susan Bardsley (Dementia Unlimited, 2010); Originally produced by StoryBook Theater, Kirkland, WA This 2011 National Children’s Theatre Festival Competition winner tells about a misguided Emperor's request for a dazzling new outfit to impress his subjects. The Empress worries her husband is more concerned about his appearance at the expense of being a wise ruler. When she meets two traveling swindlers looking for a quick score, the Empress hatches a plan. Will the Emperor embarrass himself in front of his people? This humorous romp folds themes of personal values, self-image, and judgment into an enchanting story and musical score. Audiences participate in the fun and help the Empress complete her plan, and save the Emperor's Kingdom! Public Performances  Saturday, January 19 (11AM and 3PM) and Sunday, January 20 (3PM)  Single ticket prices: Adults - $17; Seniors (65+) - $15; Students and Children - $13  $3 discount per ticket for groups of 10 or more  Information and tickets at www.steelriver.org Special At-Theater Performances (January – June)  Modern, black-box theater facility  Full educational experience, including cast “talk-back”, discussion of theater technical features, and backstage tour (costume shop, prop room, scene shop, rehearsal space, and green room).  Seating capacity of approximately 240 per performance (additional seating may be available)  $1,000 per performance (add $5 for each student over 200; no charge for teachers, chaperones)  Schools can share a date and split the costs

Touring Performances  Appropriate for a large classroom, multi-purpose room, cafeteria or auditorium  Requires access to performance space at least 30 minutes before and after each performance  Larger spaces may need sound amplification st nd rd  1 performance - $850; 2 same-day performance - $650; 3 same-day performance - $550 About Steel River Playhouse Formerly Tri-County Performing Arts Center (Tri-PAC), Steel River Playhouse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. Each year, Steel River Playhouse produces more than 90 performances and hosts more than 10,000 people as audiences, students, artists, donors and volunteers from throughout the region. We offer performance opportunities through open auditions; theater technical training; acting, voice, and instrumental lessons; classes and workshops for all ages; summer camp programs; and educational outreach including scholarships, artists in the classroom, children's touring shows, and other initiatives. For further information, please contact Marta Kiesling, Executive Director, at marta@steelriver.org or cell 610.304.5502, or Warren Levy, Marketing Director, at warren@steelriver.org, or call the Steel River Playhouse at 610-970-1199.

Marta Rubin Kiesling, Executive Director Steel River Playhouse P.O. Box 1325, 245 E. High Street Pottstown, PA 19464 610.970.1199 (Playhouse) 610.304.5502 (Cell) marta@steelriver.org www.steelriver.org

Health and wellness tips for your work, home and life—brought to you by the insurance specialists at The Reschini Group

The Dangers of Radon Environmental changes to promote a healthier you Though you cannot see, smell or taste radon, it can still be present in your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), when you breathe radon-contaminated air, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General warns that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in this country next to smoking. Plus, if you smoke and radon is present in your

the breakdown of uranium in soil, rocks and water. Since the air pressure inside of your home is generally lower than the pressure in the soil around the foundation, your house acts as a vacuum, drawing radon gas in through cracks in the foundation and other openings. Radon may also be present in your water source and can consequently be ingested when drinking or released into the air when water is used for general household purposes, like showering. Since you cannot see or smell radon gas, testing is the only way to determine if the air and water in your home contains it.

home, your risk increases greatly. This problem is not isolated to one geographic area or to a certain type of house. It is estimated that nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States has an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more), which poses health risks. What is Radon? Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by

Testing The EPA reports that radon presence can vary by day, season and geographic area. It can even vary in a small area such as between you and your next door neighbor’s home. The level of radon ultimately depends on the local geology, how houses were built and the materials that were used to construct them. Therefore, all

homeowners and potential buyers should test for radon. Buying a home: Before purchasing a home, the EPA recommends that you test its air and water quality. If the seller has already tested the home for radon, obtain the results to determine if the levels are too high. If the home has not been tested for radon, it is wise to have the levels checked before agreeing to buy. Here are some other instances in which you should have the home tested:  The seller did a radon test

but it was two or more years ago  The home was renovated or

altered since it was last tested  You plan to occupy a lower

level of the home than what was tested by the seller, such as the basement

 The state or local

generally more expensive but are also more reliable since they are designed to deter test interference.

government requires disclosure of radon information to potential buyers Testing options: To test your home for radon, you can order a kit by mail from a qualified radon measurement service provider, purchase one from a local hardware store or drug store or hire a qualified radon tester (often also a home inspector).  Passive devices:

These devices, which do not require power to function, are exposed to the air in the home for a specific period of time and are then sent to a lab for analysis. They are generally fairly inexpensive and are popular testing options for home inspectors. Examples: Charcoal canisters, alpha-track detectors, charcoal liquid scintillation devices and electret ion chamber detectors.

 Active devices:

These devices continuously measure and record the amount of radon in the air. They report unusual or abnormal swings in the radon level over a period of time, which can be explained by a qualified tester. These tests are

Examples: Continuous radon monitors and continuous working level monitors.

Testing duration: Both passive and active test models are available for shortand long-term testing, which yield slightly different results.  Short-term testing:

These devices remain in the home for two to 90 days, depending on the test.

Generally used in a real estate transaction when results are needed quickly.

 Long-term testing:

These devices remain in the home for more than 90 days and provide a reading that is more comparable to the year-long average radon reading versus a reading during a particular season.

Used to confirm shortterm test results.

Testing recommendations:  Conduct a radon test for a minimum of 48 hours. Follow the specific time constraints as outlined by the test you choose.  Close your house to the

outdoors (windows and doors) for at least 12 hours prior and during a short-term

test.  Operate your home’s heating

and cooling system as you would normally, except when conducting a short-term test lasting less than a week. Then, only use airconditioning units that recirculate indoor air only.  Do not disturb the testing

device.  If you conduct the test on

your own, promptly send in the unit and all the required information (test location, start and stop times, etc.) to the laboratory as soon as the test is complete. Test Results If a radon test reveals that the home level is 4 pCi/L or above, then the level of radon in the air is a danger to your health. To put this into perspective, the outdoor level is roughly 0.4 pCi/L, which is where Congress would like the air quality in residential homes to be. Though this is not always an attainable goal due to technological constraints, radon levels can be reduced to around 2 pCi/L by installing a radon mitigation system. A qualified radon reduction contractor can install a radon mitigation system in your home for approximately $800 to $2,500. If your home’s water source has high levels of radon, the contractor can install a point-of-entry treatment device. In doing so, you will reduce the risk of getting lung cancer by lowering the level of radon in your home.

Did You Know...? Testing for radon is easy, quick and inexpensive. You can personally test your home using a device available at your local store, purchase it by mail or hire a qualified contractor to test for you. You can even get the results in as little as 48 hours. This brochure is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2007, 2012 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

Vision Care: Eye Exams Protecting your vision with prevention Because many eye and vision conditions exhibit no obvious symptoms, individuals are often

•

unaware that there is a problem. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are important for maintaining good vision and preventing permanent vision loss, making eye exams an important part of routine preventive health care. What is an Eye Exam? Complete eye exams consist of a series of tests designed to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. Each test evaluates a different aspect of your eyes. Who Needs Eye Exams? Everyone needs an eye exam, but how often you need an eye exam depends on your age, risk factors and physical condition. If you have been diagnosed with a vision or eye health condition, you should be receiving annual eye exams. For everyone else, the following general guidelines apply: • Children ages 5 and younger should have their vision

•

checked each time they visit their pediatrician School-aged children and adolescents should have their vision checked prior to entering first grade and every two years thereafter Adults should have at least one eye exam between the ages of 20 and 29, two exams between ages 30 and 39, one exam every four years from age 40 to 65 and one exam every one or two years after age 65.

Who Performs Eye Exams? There are three different kinds of eye specialists who can perform eye exams:

ophthalmologists, including vision evaluation, corrective vision prescription, and diagnosis and treatment of selective eye disorders. For more serious or complex problems, such as those requiring surgery, an optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.

• Opticians are specialists who

fill prescriptions for eyeglasses and, in some cases, contact lenses. Opticians not only sell these products, but will also assemble them and fit them for you.

• Ophthalmologists are medical

doctors who provide fullservice eye care, which includes eye exams, corrective vision prescriptions, and diagnosis and treatment of complex eye diseases and surgeries.

• Optometrists are specialists who perform many of the same services as

Did You Know…? • According to the American Optometric Association, many child

behavioral problems stem from impaired vision. To support overall health, have your child’s vision checked prior to entering first grade and every two years thereafter.

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.

Exclusively for HMS Members

January 2013

Real-Life Help Assistance and resources for personal, family and work issues

Monthly Webinar â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, January 15th

Resolve to Find Balance in a Pressure-Cooker World When times are shaky, many people say that being with their loved ones is what keeps them steady. One way to create time together during busy days is to combine activities, like exercise, that you can all do together. It can be as informal as taking a stroll after dinner. This type of “dual purpose” strategizing boosts health and creates an opportunity to share thoughts and plans, reinforce family messages and even problem-solve. In this issue, you’ll learn that anything you want to achieve requires some sort of strategy, including managing your time better for a happier, healthier year. Remember, your EAP+Work/Life program offers short-term assistance to help you balance your life in turbulent times—and at any time. You can also talk to a Personal Health Advocate for help with healthcare and insurance-related issues.

Make Time, Reduce Stress Manage the Demands! The stress of meeting the demands of kids, family and work might be multiplied by the demands you may be placing on yourself. Are you thinking that you have to “do it all” or that only you can possibly write that routine report well? This double dose of stress can be managed by planning and an attitude change. For example, make your mornings run more smoothly by packing the kids’ lunches the night before. Enlist family members to help with the household chores— even your toddler can put away toys! And give up on perfectionism. Instead, step back, take a breath, tell yourself “it’s good enough” and above all, “don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Build a Budget with Healthy Splurges Sticking to a strict budget may be easier if you build in a few inexpensive pleasures. For example, check out a local play or orchestral concert—the tickets are cheap, you can dress up, and you won’t need a tank of gas to get there. Indulge in a bouquet of flowers or some gourmet cheeses to pair with the juiciest grapes you can find. The key is to choose your small luxury carefully—something that will give you a lift and help take the sting out of living frugally. But, be sure to keep track of what you’re spending!

Get the Respect Monthly Webinar You Deserve Tuesday, January 15th 12 pm and 2 pm ET “Maximizing Your Day: Effective Time Management” Learn time management processes, the importance of prioritizing important events, and the role of delegation. You can register at hmsincorp.com • Click “Employee/Family Login” • Enter your User Name and Password • Click “Online Work/Life Services” • S croll to online seminars, choose “Maximizing Your Day: Effective Time Management” • Select your registration session • Click “Register” on the “Welcome to e-learning center” page • Enter your name, other information and submit • You will receive a confirmation email of your registration *Please note: Webinars are available only in English.

Hint: It Starts with You! Fess up: do you silently badmouth yourself? Do you tell yourself you’re a “loser” because you fudged on your diet or because your coworker got a better assignment? Perpetually putting yourself down and disrespecting yourself is a habit that can stand in the way of getting respect from others. But it can be broken. Here are three good strategies: • Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to others. It’s a twist on the golden rule that can really work! • C hallenge the truth of your thoughts. Are you really a loser? Immediately substitute it for a truer thought. For example, “I overate because I was on vacation. I can get back on track.” on’t automatically blame • D yourself. Not every bad thing that happens is your fault. Pause, evaluate the situation, and let reasoning take over. If you’re struggling with selfesteem issues, your EAP Licensed Professional Counselor can provide additional suggestions.

HMS-EM-1301001-JAN

EAP+ Work/Life Program EAP+Work/Life

Get short-term assistance • R eferral for in-depth counseling, if needed • W ork/life specialists locate support resources, from caregiving to legal help • V isit website for online articles and other resources • I n a crisis, emergency help is available 24/7

Talk to a Licensed Professional Counselor to learn coping skills. You may be referred to the appropriate professional for in-depth, long-term help. Use self-search provider databases, get 4,000 updated and authoritative articles, view video clips, attend monthly online seminars and more.

Confidential assistance is available 24/7.

Just call 800.343.2186 hmsincorp.com

About Human Management Services (hms) Human Management Services, Inc. (hms), a Health Advocate Company, is an integrated counseling and referral resource specializing in Employee Assistance (EAP) and Work/Life Programs. HMS works with companies throughout the United States and draws on over 30 years of experience implementing a broad range of Work/Life, case management and counseling services. HMS is known for their flexibility, commitment to innovation, and EAP marketplace knowledge, giving them the ability to continually deliver enhanced services to their clients.

The Referral Rewards Raffle Prize for January is: Dinner and a Movie! Both winners will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card to use at the restaurant of their choice and a $50 RC Theaters gift card (good at the Reading Movies 11 & IMAX).

Tell a coworker about becoming a member of Diamond Credit Union, and you could both win! Fill out the information on the back of one of these brochures and pass it on to your coworker. When they bring it on to open a new account, you’ll both be entered to win a prize in a monthly drawing. See the brochure for complete details. Don’t have a brochure? Ask your HR contact for one, or stop into a Diamond Branch. NCU

It’s tim let you e to in on t r coworkers he sec ret... Since w ew ork for Credit Un aD have a ion Busines iamond s Partn ccess t o a spe e cial pro r, we gram.