The Kearns and Altieri Farm Report

Check out Mr. Kearns's and Mr. Altieri's trip to Stone Barns Farm

[Made possible by the Whole Foods: Nominate Your Teacher Award!]

Thanks to all the hard work of the Willard community, we are known for being one of the most Earth-minded and green places in our town! Everyday, Willard students and staff are making choices to care for the Earth in creative ways... we recycle, compost, protect our grounds, save power and get outside!

Mr. Altieri and Mr. Kearns had the opportunity to keep this tradition going by learning more about healthy ecosystems in a trip to Stone Barns farm, not far from Tarrytown, NY. By talking to farmers and harvesting greens and eggs, the teachers got to experience a system of healthy foods, people, animals and soil. They are finding ways to help us all play our parts in helping us be the best! We are looking forward to an even healthier environment here at Willard. Maybe even our own crops...


and how about a few chickens!? ;-)

 

Check out more about the Stone Barns Center here.

Wellness Wednesday Returns!

Thanks for participating in Wellness Wednesday last year everyone! We are all stronger for the colorful, power packed foods we ate. Our compost bins are well fed too! Wellness Wednesday helps create zero-waste since we compost fruit and vegetable left-overs. This means a healthier YOU and a healthier ENVIRONMENT.


Now get ready for Wednesday, October 5th! This year we will run Wellness Wednesday EVERY Wednesday. October is ORANGE month. EVERY Wednesday in October (that means 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26) wear ORANGE and bring in ORANGE fruits and/or veggies for lunch. The produce section (or your backyard garden or local farm!) are great places to find these foods. This ensures less packaging too. Did you ever notice that the healthiest, freshest foods don't come in a package?

Considering orange food ideas? See if you can find: apricots, grapefruit, mango, nectarines, oranges, papayas, squashes, carrots, pumpkin, yellow beets, yams, and certain tomatoes.

Orange foods are full of powerful antioxidants that can be good for your joints and keep your body clean. Thanks for celebrating Wellness Wednesday with us!

It's Time to PLAY!

Did you notice that the bulbs each of us planted in November are sprouting up around Willard? That was the sign that we would look for. So we now know it's now time to get out to play! We asked some students about the best places to play around Willard. We found that the Willard field is one of the best places to play in Willard neighborhood.

Image: Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


As we work on being our healthiest, we find that healthy environments are important too. We are sure to recycle and compost our waste here at school. Getting out to play with nature is also a great way to strengthen ourselves and our environment. There are studies that explore the benefits of unstructured playtime. This recent article highlights some of the ideas: http://chronicle.com/article/The-Case-for-Play/126382/


A quote from the article:
"...according to researchers, not just because play reduces stress and makes children more socially competent—which evidence suggests that it does. It matters also because play supposedly improves working memory and self-regulation; in other words, it makes kids sharper and better-behaved."


We have also noticed that the Children and Nature Network support some great initiatives to remind us to get outside: http://www.childrenandnature.org/

You might also just know it in your bones... playtime is the best time, and some of the best lessons happen once you were turned out from dawn to dusk, playing in your neighborhood.


So how do you play? Don't just sit there, go for it!


Be well!

An All Natural Hand Sanitizer

For hands that are clean, moisturized and sweet smelling, try an all natural, alcohol-free hand sanitizer.  Especially helpful during flu season!  In the video below, two Earth-minded Ridgewood students, Matthew and Talia, share their secret for preventing the spread of disease when soap and water are not available.  Calling upon the power of herbs and plants, this basic mixture will keep you clear of dried out, alcohol scented hands while supporting your health!

Many in the Willard School community use this mixture regularly and will find others asking about the great smell.  The mixture is derived from a recipe designed by thieves to protect themselves from the bubonic plague.  Really!

Read more about the story and benefits of using these herbs at Dr. Larry Rosen, M.D.'s blog The Whole Child.  Thanks to Dr. Rosen for sharing the recipe, which can be found below.  Also read more about herbs and flu prevention in his latest newsletter.

Be well!

Washing hands with regular soap and water is still recommended to prevent the spread of disease.

All Natural Hand Sanitizer Recipe

1. In a small bowl, put one drop each of the following essential oils:

cinnamon, clove, rosemary and eucalyptus.

2. Add five drops of lemon essential oil. Mix in 1 ounce of water and 1/2 teaspoon aloe vera gel (available at pharmacies and health food stores).

3. Store in an airtight container or a small travel-size bottle.

Note: Essential oils can be purchased online or at health food stores.
Alternative: Instead of purchasing the 5 separate essential oils, use 5 drops of the "Thieves" blend from Young Living Essential Oils (www.youngliving.com).

Roasted Root Veggies!

Last month we celebrated Wellness Wednesday with orange and yellow foods.  Some of those foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash taste great roasted.  Roasting vegetables is a simple way to get vitamins, minerals and great sugars into your diet.  They offer a short prep time and easy cooking.  Below is a recipe from Dr. Andrew Weil for roasted vegetables as seen in the New York Times.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/dr-weils-simple-roasted-root-vegetables/

Kids Will Eat 'Em... With Enthusiasm!

"Mom, I need a squash." "Dad, remember to pick up some orange peppers." "Let's get some bananas!" Unlikely kid commentary? Maybe; but Willard students have their minds on the produce section of the supermarket.

One Wednesday a month students and staff bring in a healthy snack straight from the Earth, or produce section (no packaging!) that matches up with the month's designated color. Participants also wear clothes to match that color. October is orange/yellow month. We are having a blast shopping, sharing and eating!

Orange foods can improve vision, help your heart, strengthen the immune system, and lower the risk of some types of cancers.

Students who bring in these nourishing foods are highlighted on a bulletin board with information on nutrition and recipes. 

And there's no waste! Any leftovers are composted right here at Willard.

Looking for an easy way to incorporate veggies into your routine? Try roasting them! Roughly cut some sweet potatoes or golden beets (or any other veggies!) and place them in a baking dish. Add a small amount of oil, salt and pepper (and other spices if you like). Send 'em into the oven at about 400 degrees until cooked through (approx. 30-40min). Doing this will warm your home (with some aromatherapy) and get your family a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals and natural sugars. Kids will be more excited about eating healthy foods when they're included in the preparation.

Looking for Balance? Try Yoga!

The Willard Panther gives Tree Pose a try.

Students, parents and teachers of the Willard Community recently joined yoga teacher (and parent) Pam Chmiel for a free yoga session out on the field.

As the sun came up over the trees, the yogis practiced the Sun Salutation and other poses. Participants also learned a meaning of a greeting in India... Namaste (NAH-mah-stay) which can be translated, "The goodness in me sees the goodness in you." We like it!

Yoga helps our bodies stay balanced, focused and in control. It is a great way to start off a school day. Willard is continuing a commitment to healthy ways by sharing the wisdom of our community at school.

Have wellness tips or stories to share? Questions? Students working on Wellness projects? Contact us; we'd love to hear from you!