Nutrition & Cooking Classes

Have you wondered into the staff lounge just to check if there were snacks on the tables?  Need some supports around how to eat better throughout your busy workday and on the go? Check out these FREE classes! Class will be hosted at Centennial Park School from 4-5pm.  Snacks and taste tests are provided and bring a friend, spouse, or children! RSVP to Julie_mack@centennial.k12.or.us for one or all the classes and space is limited to 30 people for each class!

April 16^th    Feed Your Brain: Nutrition for Concentration and Focus

Is your brain starved for better nutrition? Do you find it hard to concentrate or focus? Do you feel irritable or moody for no discernible reason? Are you absentminded or suffer from periodic brain fog? Then this class is for you. Learn the secrets of a better brain at any age.

April 30^th    Probiotics: Because Whole Body Health Begins in Your Gut

I am your gut bacteria; you might be shocked to hear this, but I influence how every part of your body works: how easily you lose (or gain) weight, how your immune system functions, even your ability to focus. Knowing which supplements are essential for keeping me (and you!) healthy is easy if you attend

this class.

May 7^th      Where to Start to Love Your Heart:

Taking care of your heart doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by uncovering some common heart care myths, and then begin your journey toward heart health with 3 simple dietary strategies and three supplements that will pump up your heart health.

May 14^th     Cooking Demo - Health by Chocolate: Indulge and be well

Hooray! Chocolate can actually be good for us. Taste the quality and learn how to use chocolate to enhance your food ...and your health.

         Cooking Demo - The Primal Smoothie: Healthy and Delicious      

                             Nutrition On the Go

Smoothies are a great way to start your day or provide nutrition on the go. They can also be used to dramatically increase the nutrient density of your diet, every day. Smoothie recipes are easy and only require four easy steps. Supercharge your smoothie for personalized health benefits!

  - An Introductory Self-Defense Workshop

Free Classes offering in our Centennial Community.  For more information or to register https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/61827

Registration opens Tuesday, April 7th @ 9:00 am

Mondays, May 4th, 11th and 18th from 6:00 - 9:15 pm

Centennial Middle School SUN Community School

17650 SE Brooklyn St, Portland 97236

WomenStrength self-defense classes are designed to introduce teenage and adult women to a variety of strategies, including some survival level fighting skills, designed to help defend against sexual assault. The Portland Police Bureau believes that fighting can be an effective response to the threat of sexual assault.

Class activities and discussion are designed to help women identify their risks and evaluate their strengths, and to explore their options for dealing with the threat of sexual violence. Class activities focus on practicing verbal and physical strategies. Discussion topics focus on sexual and domestic violence.

WomenStrength emphasizes that each threat must be assessed quickly. Research on women's experiences indicates that the likelihood of escaping a sexual assault increases with the number of escape strategies employed. Women who choose to fight are encouraged to use the element of surprise to their advantage. Because physical self-defense will be most effective if vulnerable areas of the body are targeted, some of the skills taught include multiple strikes to those areas, as well as escapes from choke holds, body grabs, and wrist grasps, and defense techniques from the ground.

WomenStrength participants are encouraged to maintain their skills by using visualization, practicing, attending refresher classes, and to improve and diversify their skills by pursuing additional training from other self-defense programs.

Healthy Happenings for Employees

      The Employee Wellness Committee has been working hard to create FREE opportunities for ALL Centennial Staff to participate in to support their overall health and wellness supported by the OES Choice Trust Grant!  

      The Employee Wellness Committee has found some really great opportunities to help staff address their three identified wellness concerns: stress, nutrition/weigh supports, and physical activity opportunities.  Our goals for the first year of our employee wellness program are:  

Project Year: Year 1

Long term Goal: Establish a sustainable committee with representation from all job sectors that will create and implement the employee wellness grant, continue the employee wellness program after the grant has ended, and sustain a culture of wellness for employees and for students within Centennial. 

SMART Objective #1: By December 2015, establish the Employee Wellness Committee with OSEA and CEA representatives from each building meeting 6 times per year to create and implement the employee wellness program.

Long term Goal: Create a sustainable communication plan that is accessible for every employee with minimal hassle and employees are able to actively participate within the district-wide communication.

SMART Objective #2:  By December 2015, establish a communication plan that is accessible to all employees with monthly updates and interactive space, with at least 50% of staff being aware of the employee wellness program.

Long term Goal: Create wellness opportunities for all staff to achieve the long-term goals of chronic illness reduction and staff absenteeism through stress management, weight and nutrition support, and increased physical activity.

SMART Objective #3:  By December 2015, offer 5 employee wellness events or classes that address the long-term goals of stress reduction, weight/nutrition management, and physical activity with at least 20% (141) of employees accessing at least event or class.

A message from the Centennial Resource Conservation Team (CRCT):

Centennial's Maintenance Department loves that Centennial Staff focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling products!  Many people send old batteries to Maintenance for recycling at MEtro.  This is great but there is one problem:

Alkaline Batteries CANNOT be recycled!  

All other batteries can be sent to Maintenance for recycling but Maintenance staff just do not have the time to sort through all the batteries (they can get a few hundred pounds to sort!).  Metro staff also do not have the time and this may lead to the whole bag being thrown away! 

PLease help out by not including Alkaline batteries in you pile for recycling!  Thanks so much for all you recycling help!

Employee Wellness In Centennial!

Centennial was awarded an Employee Wellness Grant from OEA Choice Trust!!!!  This grant is fr one school year and will focus on supporting Centennial Staff to engage in stress management, physical activity and nutrition opportunities, and to support our appreciation weeks to create a healthy, happy work environment and staff. 

Are you interested in learning more or helping to implement this amazing opportunity?  There is an informational session on Tuesday February 10th at 3:45 till 4:45.  We will be meeting in the District Office Board Room.  Snacks will be provided!

You can also contact Julie Mack for more information and any questions!

Try a new entree EVERY Wednesday for Centennial's Farm to School Local Lunch!!!

Check out the Dining Services Newsletter for more information about your cafeteria and 

Local Lunches. 

It is 2015 and there are LOTS of new ways, ideas, and programs to create wellness for both 

Centennial Students and Staff!!

Healthy Happenings in Centennial:

Are you looking for some free resources to help you take care of yourself better?  Don’t forget to check out the free resources through OEBB! http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/oebb/pages/index.aspx

            Better Choices, Better Health

Healthy Team Healthy U

MoodHelper

Weight Watchers –Currently registering Centennial Employees to start a free at work session meeting Fridays at 6:30am but registered people can attend ANY Weight Watchers meeting they choose.  To register call

To register:

Call 1-866-531-8170

Our start date is Jan. 16, 2015
Location name Centennial H.S.
Location # 26985
Zip code for the school 97030

Have your insurance card ready!

Employee Wellness Grant!

            Centennial has been awarded a $24,415 Employee Wellness Grant through OEA Choice Trust!  Centennial recognizes how hard every employee works and will be using the Employee Wellness Grant to offer resources around stress management, nutrition and weight management, and physical activity opportunities with the goal of reducing chronic illness and creating a healthy, happy work environment. 

The first year of this grant will focus on three objectives:           

1.     Establishing an Employee Wellness Committee with representatives from all building and both unions

2.     Establish an effective communication plan across Centennial District

3.     Offer employee wellness events or classes that address stress management, weight or nutrition education, physical activity, and supporting staff appreciation weeks. 

Keep an eye out for more information coming your way soon! If you have questions or are interested in volunteered contact Julie Mack.