Where Wellness Matters

Staff Wellness Program

Vision

Employees of the Anoka-Hennepin School District will value a healthy lifestyle and will make choices that demonstrate their desire for wellness.

Mission

To promote and support employee wellness. Being healthy and happy is something that all Anoka-Hennepin employees and their families deserve. The staff wellness program, Where Wellness Matters, created by the district's Wellness Steering Committee, is devoted to helping achieve this goal. You are welcome to participate in various ways through district-sponsored wellness. Each building has identified a Wellness Champion (wellness contact) to help serve as a resource.

Our partner Medica provides designated funds towards the wellness program; this program is not district funded. Let's work together in bringing continued health and happiness to our Anoka-Hennepin team!

Building Wellness Champion

Did you know that each building in our district can apply for a $750 mini grant to be used toward wellness initiatives? Check with your building to find out who your wellness champion is. For 2024-2025, an extra $100 will be given to those early birds that submit their wellness grants ahead of the deadline. Grant submission deadline is March 6, 2025.

• Community Education Classes and discount codes:
  
  
  • November

November 2024

When you think of the classic carousel amusement ride of bright lights, Victorian paintings, carnival music, vibrant colors, and intricate horses moving up and down, rotating round and round, there are many metaphors for life. One of them is expressing gratitude.

Let's face it, life is not easy at times. One moment you’re feeling up, the next moment you’re feeling down; seasons come and seasons go. Remember you are not alone.

Much like the movements of the carousel, some days are easier to express thankfulness than others. It is, however, an opportunity to be in the moment to reflect, laugh, and enjoy the ride no matter what’s going on around us. Catching a glimpse of each other’s joy is contagious much like sharing gratitude.

Recently a coworker responded to an email, writing the words, “I appreciate you. Thank you.” Five simple words - Wow! She is a ray of sunshine, lifting people’s spirits up in the most sincere way. Her example motivates those around her to do the same.

Give it a try. Set a goal to say or do something with gratitude daily, weekly, and/or monthly.

Here are some ideas:

• Thankfulness in relationships: Express appreciation to those around you. Connections can be strengthened by supporting each other.
• Community Gratitude Wall: Create a physical or digital wall where people can post notes expressing gratitude to those who make a difference.
• Acknowledge Small Wins and Simple Joys: Focus on what is working, no matter how small: a meal, a day of rest, a visit from a friend, a warm home, a beautiful sunset, or a moment of rest.
• Gratitude Challenge: Challenge yourself to express gratitude daily, through journaling, social media posts, or letters to people you know or do not know.
• Reframe Challenges: Seek intentionally for the hidden lessons in hardship. Growth often follows struggle. Ask yourself: “What could I be learning vs why me?”
• Gratitude Through Service: Make a regular practice of volunteering with an organization important to you. Serving others opens up a heart of gratefulness in ways you could never imagine. Small acts of kindness really do matter.
• Gratitude Playlist: Create a playlist of songs that celebrate gratitude and togetherness.

Thank you for the opportunities to make meaningful impacts in the lives of our students, parents, community, and staff!

Additional resources:

Community Education Classes and discount codes:

• November
• Wellness website.