Monthly Archives: June 2020

Whatever your “thing” is, please enjoy your summer. Be safe, be happy, be well!

We’ve finally made it! The last day of school, but fear not…we’re still going to work hard today.

Physical Activity

It’s well understood in the research that spending time in nature directly boosts physical and mental well-being. Gardening, therefore, is a super healthy habit!

Gardening activity – lifting, raking, digging, even pulling weeds can provide all four types of exercise – endurance, flexibility, balance and strength! Don’t have a good spot for your own garden? Find a community garden near you with the American Community Gardening Association. Try Make your gardening movements deliberate – alternate raking with your right or left hand, do a lunge or squat when you’re moving from one garden bed to the next, or shoveling heavy piles of dirt are all good functional fitness activities.
For a challenge today, work with a partner and alternate stations at your gardens. Take turns digging, planting, raking, and watering.getting a space ready for gardening!

Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Gardening Greats: Maintaining your garden
Summer is the perfect time to work in the garden and what a great way to get some exercise, fresh air, and sunshine. But what do we actually need to do to keep up a garden – can’t plants take care of themselves? Not really! Plants in gardens need to be maintained and that’s where we as gardeners come in. So what do plants need from us? Generally they need the two W’s- water and weeding.
Water – Vegetables need to be watered whenever the soil dries out, or when very hot weather makes them droop (we call this wilting). If you don’t already have a watering can, use this quick video to see how you can make one out of things in your home.
Weeding– Why can’t we just let weeds grow? We pull weeds so that they don’t steal our plants sunlight, water, and nutrients. Check out this video and learn how to pull weeds properly and how to keep them from growing in the first place. To document your garden growth this summer use this journal template.
Gardening activity – lifting, raking, digging, even pulling weeds can provide all four types of exercise – endurance, flexibility, balance and strength! Don’t have a good spot for your own garden? Find a community garden near you with the American Community Gardening Association. Try getting a space ready for gardening!

School ReOpen Committee Parent Survey https://forms.gle/DNx3eN8hcRpXsfSs5

Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.

For a better future of our city, schools, and students , please click on the link now and fill out the census. It only takes a few minutes from your time to make a difference.

Complete the Census application here: 

https://my2020census.gov/

Physical Activity
Today’s workout theme is “summer” – how are you planning for your family to be active this summer? If you’ve been following the #HealthyKidsQuarantined effort, you’re likely making great strides towards being the best, healthiest version of you. Keep it up this summer!
• Workout of the Day (WOD)!
o Use this A-B-C exercise guide (with video demonstrations)
o Using the associated exercises, spell “SUMMER”. Want more of a challenge? Try spelling “SUMMERTIME!”
• High-Low Yoga Flow from Kids Work it Out focuses on using your breath to build up energy in the body to perform a creative flow of movements that take your body up and down, around and back!
o Video: High-Low Yoga Flow (Time: 12:26)
o Handout: High-Low Yoga

Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Healthy Snack Hack – Yogurt and Honey Fruit Dip
We get it, eating the same fruits over and over again can get boring. One quick and easy way to liven up your fruit plate is to add a dip- you can find many healthy and fast dip recipes online to make at home. This week try our healthy fruit dip that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in medium bowl and whisk together. Refrigerate. Serve with fresh strawberries, melon or other fresh fruit.

Physical Activity
The weather is heating up, so let’s have some fun with water! Today’s activity is fun to do with others – so grab some siblings, neighbors, or parents and get ready to get active…and wet!
Water Relay
You’ll needed: 2 buckets per team, 1 small towel or an old t-shirt

1. Divide participants between two teams
2. Fill one bucket with water for each team; place it at the beginning line where you’ll start the game
3. Place the empty bucket at the end line, about 100 yards from your starting line. Mark the bucket with a fill line near the top.
4. Place the towel or t-shirt in the full bucket of water
5. On “go” the first person on each team will grab the soaked towel, run to the other side and wring it out into the empty bucket.
6. When the water is deposited in the bucket, the participant will carry the towel/t-shirt back to the starting line and drops it back into the water bucket.
7. The next person in line repeats the process. The first team to fill the empty bucket with water (to the fill line) is the winner!
   Nutrition and

Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Here’s a riddle for you- what runs but never walks? If you guessed water, you are correct! As we have discussed these past 12 weeks, water is the healthiest way to stay hydrated – today we are pulling two of our most popular hydration tips that you can use all summer long!
Use our Wonderful Rainbow Water tips to liven up your water in multiple ways! Add:
• RED: watermelon and/or strawberries
• ORANGE: orange slices
• YELLOW: lemon slices
• GREEN: cucumbers slices
• BLUE: blueberries
• VIOLET: blackberries
• RAINBOW: build a rainbow drink by adding any or all of the above options
Fruity Ice Cubes will keep you cool all summer
To Make:
• Choose your favorite fruit/s (canned, frozen, or fresh- canned pineapple, frozen berries or fresh oranges)
• Chop them into small pieces
• Drop into each cube of the ice tray
• Pour water over the fruit
• Freeze for six hours or overnight

Physical Activity
Summer is a time for lots of outdoor activity, including camping! Unplug your wi-fi and get outdoors for a camping adventure this summer. No access to the woods? The good news is that you don’t have to head to nature for a great camping adventure – you can pitch a tent right in your own backyard or make a fort in your living room! Here are some great ways to add in some physical activity to your camping fun:
• Grab some pals or siblings and play flashlight tag or capture the flag
• Use chalk on your driveway or paper plates in your yard for a giant game of twister
• Go on a nature scavenger hunt
• If you have a partner, play human Rock, Paper, Scissors
• Try Geocaching or Letterboxing for a local treasure hunt
Is it rainy or you’re stuck inside? Give these indoor activities a try:
• Blow up a balloon or two and play indoor baseball or volleyball
• Use what you have to do some indoor bowling or make your own indoor golf course
• Dust off your acting skills with “bag-o-stuff improv skits”
• And, if all else fails, play some classic camp card games

Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Healthy Camping Treats: Banana S’mores
Camping (at a site or in the backyard) is a great way to soak in some vitamin D while appreciating nature- and today we’re sharing an easy way to keep campfire eating fun AND healthy! This summer as you pitch a tent, make sure to try our Campfire Banana S’mores!
Ingredients:
· medium ripe banana
· 1 small handful of mini marshmallows (10-15)
· 1 spoonful of dark chocolate chips
· 2 low-fat graham crackers
· Foil
Instructions:
· Ask an adult to cut through the peel on the inside curve of the banana, but leave the banana in the peel. Cut the banana in half lengthwise (not through bottom peel); then cut crosswise. Add marshmallows into the banana and top with chocolate chips.
· Place the prepared banana in the foil and crimp closed.
· Cook the S’more packet on the campfire until the s’more is warm and melty (about 5-8 minutes). Use graham crackers for scooping.

It’s the last Friday of the school year — you’ve made it! It’s been a crazy year with unexpected twists and turns but ultimately we worked together and will make it to the finish line. Congrats to you all!

Physical Activity
Today, let’s try some fun fitness challenges! These are sneaky workouts – they are all the duration of a single song – but they will work your muscles and endurance!

1. Give the 🎶 Bring Sally Up 🎶 Challenge a try! Follow the beat and listen to the words for a quick (3 minutes!) and challenging exercise. There are lots of ways to do this challenge – here are some good options – try one or several!
   • Lunges
   • Plank
   • Glute Bridge
   • Squats
   • Push Ups
   • Leg Lifts
2. Now try another song fitness challenge! Pick a few of your favorites and sweat it out for a song or two!
   • Cha Cha Slide Plank Challenge
   • Cupid Shuffle Plank Challenge
   • 7 Rings Ab Challenge
   • Baby Shark Ab Challenge

Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Easy Tropical Smoothie
With all the warm weather all of a sudden are you feeling like you could use a cold, creamy smoothie? Try our simple smoothie recipe today that is sure to be a refreshing, tasty treat!
Basic ingredients:
• Handful of ice
• 4 oz. canned pineapple tidbits in 100% juice
• 1 cup skim milk (or a milk alternative like almond, oat, or cashew milk)
Optional additions:
• Frozen fruit: mango, kiwi, papaya, or strawberry
• Banana
• Boosts: spinach, kale, flax or chia seeds, vanilla protein powder
Instructions: Blend all ingredients together in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Serve and Enjoy!

Physical Activity

Handout: Strength + Flex Flow
Fitness doesn’t have to feel like a chore – it can be fun too! Today, try some yoga to strengthen your body and mind, and then Get Moving with Disney Moana!

1. Today’s KWIO sequence is “Strength + Flex Flow” that reminds us that yoga helps more than just our bodies – increased academic performance, concentration, and awareness are just a few of the amazing ways that yoga will benefit your brain too.
2. • Video: https://youtu.be/dx0asVu1waM (Time: 23:16)
3. • Handout: Strength + Flex Flow
4. Get Moving with Disney Moana
   • https://youtu.be/fMTXq7v3G7U (Time: 13:07)

Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Garden Hack- Cardboard Seed Tubes so you can grow your veggies!
These past two weeks we have shown you some clever ways to get your family garden going- But it isn’t always that easy, right?! This week we have an easy and green way to start your seeds inside! To start, all you need to do is have your children save either toilet paper (6-8) or paper towel (3-4) tubes. Once they have enough tubes follow the instructions below to start your garden!

Inside Instructions: Cut the (toilet paper or paper towel) tubes into 2 in. lengths and set them in a waterproof tray. Fill the tubes with soil and plant your seeds (remember the can be seeds from the fruits and veggies you have in your kitchen). Place in sunlight, water and let grow.

Outside Instructions: When the seedlings are ready to move to the garden, plant them right in their cardboard tube. The cardboard will decompose. Be sure to keep the tube below the soil surface, so it doesn’t wick moisture away from the roots.

Are you a visual learner? Check out this YouTube video about cardboard seed tubes!

Physical Activity
Handout: ABC Elementary Workout Handout
Today, let’s try a short warm-up with GoNoodle, and then our ABC workout of the day. If you have a sibling or other family members at home, try a three-legged race for some fun filled activity.

1. Getcha Money Right – Blazer Fresh | GoNoodle
   • Start your day with a nice, energizing GoNoodle video.
   • https://youtu.be/vMSAzl6V95M (Time: 3:01)
2. This ABC Workout of the Day is a great way to get a workout in while having fun. To finish your workout right today, spell Dearborn Rocks!
   • ABC Elementary Workout Handout
   • Don’t forget to check out the videos that are embedded in the handout!
3. 3-Legged Race
   • Tie your kids’ outside ankles together with something soft and stretchy like a long ski sock, PJ pants or bandage wrap. Now they’ll have to work as a team to coordinate their movements to get from point A to point B. This is one of our favorites because it not only builds gross motor coordination, but is great for sibling bonding too!

Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Healthy Snack Hack – Strawberry Frozen Yogurt in ONLY 5 minutes!
Today we have the perfect snack idea when you are feeling like a sweet treat – this strawberry frozen yogurt is a healthier way to satisfy your dessert desires! Finding a frozen treat just got much easier with our quick, simple and in season recipe!
Ingredients:
• 4 cups frozen strawberries
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (non-fat)
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
To Make:
Add the frozen strawberries, honey, yogurt and lemon juice to the bowl of a blender or food processor. Process until creamy, about 5 minutes. Enjoy!