June 11, 2020
To kick off the summer, Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) is launching a Summer Wellness Challenge! The challenge, directed at students and families, is in partnership with Hermosa Beach City School District, Manhattan Beach Unified School District and Redondo Beach Unified School District.

The Summer Wellness Challenge features a 10-week lineup of inspiring activities that will incorporate (1) nutrition, (2) gardening, (3) physical activity and (4) social-emotional health such as mindfulness, gratitude and community service. The activities will be designed for three age groups: elementary school, middle school and high school.

Each week will focus on a different theme and include a detailed activity description and accompanying handouts. Keep track of all the challenges you complete with the Summer Wellness Challenge Checklist and turn it in at the start of the school year to redeem a prize. Share your family completing the challenges on social media using #BeachCitiesSummerChallenge .
"Talk About It" Small-Group Parent Workshop Series
BCHD, in partnership with our Student Mental Health Provider Task Force, recently hosted a series of virtual “Talk About It” Small-Group Parent Workshops. The purpose of this series was to support families at home navigating distance learning and to create balance for students and parents.

Topics included:
  • Youth Vaping and Substance Use During COVID-19
  • Facilitating Family Connection Through Physical Activity
  • Mindfulness for the Family While Safer at Home
  • Vaping and Substance Use with Clear Recovery Center
  • Helping Your Senior: Tips for Helping Your Teen Cope with Missing Milestone Life Events
MindUP
MindUP is a social-emotional program that is taught in K-5 classrooms throughout the Beach Cities. MindUP is based on four pillars: neuroscience, positive psychology, mindful awareness and social-emotional learning. Continuing the MindUP program at home can help calm anxiety in children that could result during these difficult times.

For the 2019-2020 academic year, BCHD adapted some of the lessons to video format so everyone can access them from home.

Along with the videos are accompanying parent and student handouts. Find lesson videos and handouts at bchd.org/mindup .
LiveWell Kids
LiveWell Kids is a school wellness program developed specifically for elementary school students (K-5) to help them adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors and habits at an early age.
LiveWell Kids Nutrition
The LiveWell Kids Nutrition program features five nutrition-based lessons per year taught in Redondo Beach Unified School District elementary schools.

The lessons blend nutrition with regular physical activity and mindfulness practices. Find at-home tips and activities as well as kid-friendly recipes at bchd.org/LiveWellKids
LiveWell Kids Garden
The LiveWell Kids Garden Education program, taught in Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach elementary schools, provides five interactive lessons per year where students learn about planting, composting, harvesting and mindful eating practices.

Find lessons, videos and handouts, as well as gardening tips and healthy recipes at bchd.org/schools-and-parents/garden-education
8-Minute Morning Exercises
Even with school out of session, families can start their day with eight minutes of morning exercise! The routines involve a variety of aerobic movements, dance moves and cardio exercises set to upbeat music with an instructional voiceover to guide students and provide motivation.

Each routine is completed during a six-minute span – followed by two calming minutes of stretching and 25 seconds of mindful breathing.
Escape the Vape
“Escape the Vape,” an anti-vaping campaign created by members of BCHD’s Youth Advisory Council, combines science-based facts on vaping and tobacco use combined with eye-catching slogans. While the slogans are aimed toward teenagers, this campaign can be a great starting point for parents and caregivers to have a discussion with their child about the dangers of vaping and tobacco use.

More information on this, as well as additional vaping resources, can be found at bchd.org/vaping .
Families Connected Parent Chat
BCHD continues to partner with South Bay Families Connected and the Thelma McMillen Center at Torrance Memorial to offer the Families Connected Parent Chat.

This is an opportunity for parents to connect with one another and discuss shared challenges. It is a free support group led by a licensed professional from the Thelma McMillen Center at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. The chat is held online every Monday from 9:50 – 10:50 a.m. 

South Bay Families Connected continuously updates social-emotional wellness tools for parents of students grades K-12. For additional parenting resources, including virtual events, conversation guides and more, please visit southbayfamiliesconnected.org . 
AdventurePlex Interactive Videos

Join AdventurePlex for at-home fun including a fitness challenge, dance alongs and mindfulness exercises here !
Need Help?
If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs support, health-related information, or assistance with groceries or supplies, please call us at 310-374-3426, ext. 256 , seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.  or visit us online at  bchd.org/resources .