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Employee Wellness
Newsletter
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Welcome to Happier January!
As we begin 2026, this is an invitation to pause, breathe, and choose small moments of purpose in our busy lives. This month’s focus is all about nurturing happiness through simple, intentional actions—acts of gratitude, connection, kindness, and care for ourselves and others. Think of it as a gentle guide to help us start the year grounded, hopeful, and moving toward what matters most. Click here to download and print the calendar.
| | Staff Spotlight: Monroe Elementary's Serena Yort | | |
This month, we proudly highlight Serena Yort, an outstanding paraprofessional whose impact at James Monroe Elementary is already being felt across the campus. Now in her second year supporting Transitional Kindergarten, Serena brings a rare blend of kindness, patience, and a deep belief in every student she serves. As her colleagues say, “She is phenomenal! She is loving and kind, and treats our students like the geniuses they are!”
Serena is a proud San Leandro High School Pirate alumna and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Cal State East Bay. She balances her studies with her commitment to the students of Monroe, giving her best each day. We are grateful for you, Serena, and Monroe loves you!
We love celebrating the people who make SLUSD shine—and we need your help! Do you know a staff member who consistently goes above and beyond, bringing positivity to their school or department? Submit a shoutout here and we’ll feature them in an upcoming newsletter. It’s time to give our everyday stars the spotlight they deserve!
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Learn more about Life's Essential 8's
Life’s Essential 8 are the core health measures defined by the American Heart Association to help people improve and maintain cardiovascular health throughout life. This evidence-based checklist highlights eight key areas that influence heart and overall wellness: eat better, be more active, quit tobacco, get healthy sleep, maintain a healthy weight, control cholesterol, manage blood sugar, and keep blood pressure in a healthy range. Together, these behaviors and health factors offer a practical roadmap for reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other major health problems, empowering individuals to make meaningful lifestyle changes that support long-term health. Learn more here.
| | Your Life, Made Easier: Work/Life Support at Your Fingertips | |
Claremont Work/Life Services connects you and your family with helpful resources to make everyday life easier. Through this benefit, you have access to unlimited, personalized referrals for services tailored to your needs—whether it’s finding quality child care, elder care support, parenting resources, school and education options, or help with daily living tasks like household services. Work/Life Consultants will create a customized list of options for you, so you can spend less time searching and more time focusing on what matters. These services are part of your employee assistance benefits and are designed to support your well-being at work and at home. Click here for more information.
| | January is National Thank You Month | | |
We are truly thankful for your dedication to our students and our community. Your care, creativity, and hard work make SLUSD a place we can all feel grateful to be part of. Practicing gratitude not only strengthens our connections but also supports our overall well-being. Learn more about how gratitude shapes the brain:
As we move through the month, we invite you to pause and acknowledge someone who has made a difference in your life.
If you or a family member needs extra support, Care Solace offers quick and confidential assistance:
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Ten Happiness Practices for the New Year
Start the new year with science-backed strategies to strengthen your well-being. This Greater Good article highlights ten practical strategies for happiness, from finding meaning in challenging moments to imagining your “best possible self.” Each practice is simple, research-based, and designed to help you build perspective, connection, and joy as you move into 2026. Read more here.
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How Handwriting Improves Brain Health and Goal Achievement
If you want the simplest, most overlooked longevity practice, one that strengthens your brain and helps you actually stick to the goals you set, grab a pen. Read more here.
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You finally got a doctor’s appointment. Here’s how to get the most out of it
Preparing for a doctor’s visit can make a big difference in getting the care you need. This article highlights simple ways to make appointments more effective, like bringing a list of questions, tracking symptoms, and completing paperwork ahead of time. It also explains how building a strong relationship with your primary care provider can help you stay healthier over time. Read more here.
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Build Strength and Stability in One Simple Step
Looking for a simple way to build strength, stability, and coordination? The bear crawl is a full-body move that works your arms, shoulders, core, and legs all at once. It’s easy to do anywhere and adds variety to your routine while boosting overall functional fitness. Read more here.
| | SLUSD Pet of the Month: Keno Middleton | | |
Pokeno (better known as Keno) is a lively Giant Schnauzer who belongs to SLUSD’s Director of Student and Family Support Services, Gary Middleton, and his wife, Deborah. He keeps them entertained by enthusiastically dragging his mom around the house and filling their days with energy and personality. In his free time, he loves tackling obstacle courses, chasing his flirt pole, going for car rides, and visiting the mall, where he’s always ready for his next adventure.
Keno is also the proud son of Grand Champion Ulyses S. Grant, and he hopes to follow in his father’s impressive footsteps one day!
Do you know an adorable SLUSD pet that deserves some virtual ear scratches and tail wags? Send to communications@slusd.us and share the love!
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Super Greens and Beans Soup
Full of fresh and roasted green vegetables, beans for protein, and creamy coconut yogurt for a gut health boost, this soup is fresh, comforting, and perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Roasted Vegetables
- 1 head broccoli (include stems), chopped
- 1 large zucchini, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 leek, thickly sliced (or 1 small yellow onion)
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs (or 1 tsp dried)
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 (15 oz) cans butter beans, drained (reserve one can for blending)
Soup Base
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 4–6 fresh basil stems (leaves only)
- 1 (13.5–14 oz) can light coconut milk (full-fat makes it creamier)
- Juice of 1 lemon (~2 tbsp)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp miso paste (or 1 tbsp soy sauce/tamari)
- 1 1/4–1 3/4 cups vegetable stock (adjust for thickness)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
To Serve (optional)
- 4 tbsp thick coconut yogurt
- Extra roasted beans
- Olive oil, chili flakes, fresh herbs
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (175°C).
- Roast the veggies: On a large baking sheet, toss broccoli, zucchini, bell pepper, leek (or onion), garlic, and thyme with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 30 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender.
- Roast crispy beans: On a separate sheet, toss 1 can drained butter beans with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 25–30 minutes until lightly crispy.
- Prepare soup: Once veggies are done, let them cool slightly. In a blender, combine roasted vegetables (reserve a few small broccoli pieces for garnish), peas, basil leaves, remaining butterbeans (from the second can), coconut milk, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, tahini, miso paste, and enough vegetable stock to make it blend smoothly. Blend until creamy.
- Heat & season: Pour blended soup into a pot and warm on the stove. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls. Top with a dollop of coconut yogurt, crispy beans, a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of chili flakes, fresh herbs, and bread on the side.
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Seedy Power Cookies
These cookies are full of seeds, nuts, and dried fruit. They are naturally sweetened and contain no oil, grains, or gluten. Perfect for on-the-go breakfasts or snacks!
Ingredients
- 1 medium banana
- 8 Medjool dates
- ½ cup (65 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (for a nut-free version, replace nuts with seeds or additional dried fruit—keep the quantity roughly the same)
- ½ cup (56 g) ground flaxseed
- ½ cup (60 g) pumpkin seeds
- ¾ cup (112 g) mixed dried fruit (raisins, golden raisins, cranberries, blueberries, cherries, chopped apricots, chopped prunes/figs)
- 3 tablespoons (30 g) hemp hearts or oats
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) cacao nibs or mini dairy-free chocolate chips (or additional nuts/seeds)
- 1 cup (90 g) shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- A drop or two of water, if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Puree the dates and banana in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, scraping the processor clean.
- Add all remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir well to combine. If the mixture is too dry, mix in a small amount of water—just a drop or two.
- Shape the cookies:
- Roll the mixture into balls with your hands.
- Place on the baking sheet and press to about ½ inch thick with your palm or the bottom of a glass.
- For 2-inch cookies, you’ll get about 12 cookies.
- Press in any loose fruit or seeds and smooth the edges as needed.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until the cookies feel dry and the edges begin to turn golden. Cool on a wire rack before serving.
| | San Leandro Unified School District | communications@slusd.us | www.slusd.us | | | | |
