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It has been a great pleasure to work with Carly Kempton this year. Good luck, Carly, as you move on to your next adventure in Iowa! Thanks for all the cool, carbonated drinks that you introduced me to this school year!

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Thank you to everyone who contributed to this digital board this year. It is wonderful to see all of the recognitions of the accomplishments and everyday work hard.

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To EVERYONE:   Have you been told yet today how awesome you are????  YES, YOU ARE AWESOME!!

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Thank you to Matt for the help in organizing today!!  You rock!!

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To NIck Z:  the band sounded great in the park on Memorial Day!!

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Shout out to Nick Z for filling in at the Memorial Day concert in the park!!

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Many thanks to Ms. Sambs and her students for filling my big flower pots outside the high school office with plants leftover from the plant sale. Such a pretty welcome into our building for everyone. Brings a smile to my face every morning!

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MS staff rocks!

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Shout Out to Erin and the JC Band! They did a fantastic job with the concert this weekend. My family and I really enjoyed the outdoor atmosphere. WELL DONE!
~Cheek

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Shout out to Lyndsi and all of the staff who helped pull off a successful prom for the kids! Your hard work helped create memories that these kids will never forget!

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Thank you Stephanie Bentheimer for managing this Staff Recognition page.

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Thank you to all partner teachers for all you do and how much effort you provide to everyone.

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Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all - Thank you for being the greatest team to work with.

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This shout out goes to all of teachers who continue to do what is in the best interest of our students. Thank you for doing everything you can to include students who are currently learning at home. Making sure they are staying connected to your classrooms shows how much you care!

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Huge shout out to Mrs. Enger for always being there for her staff and getting things done! You are AMAZING!

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A special shout out to Diane in the elementary office for keeping up with all the kids that are out for different reasons! She's so organized and has a such a positive attitude!:)

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HAPPY TUESDAY EVERYONE!!!!  ONLY 8 MORE !!!

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Thank you Chuck for all your continued help and everything you do -above and beyond -

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Thank you to Lyndsay Scheibel and Ray Lauersdorf for their help with JCE Online Storytime. They did an excellent job!

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Thanks to Brett for troubleshooting Crossroads internet issue and getting us up and running!

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A shout out to administration for slowly getting us all vaccinated. As one that had side effects, I was thankful to be on break, but also thankful knowing that all of us won't be out at the same time!

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Stay strong everyone! We only have 10 Mondays left!!

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The math team is looking great today in their Pie Day shirts and the kids were so excited to celebrate with pie! :)

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Shout out to the Kindergarten teachers Meghan Woodson and Ashley Oiler - they have a challenging grade this year and they are rockin it!!!

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Shout out to Tricia Wagner and Stacy Miller for coordinating the Virtual Poetry Club for students this year - they love the poems they are learning about!!!

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Shout-out to Stacy Miller for decorating the Elementary Hallways for Virtual Family Literacy Night and Dr. Seuss Week!

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Job well done to Kelsey and the high school FFA for pulling off yet another successful hog roast! Kelsey always goes above and beyond her advisor duties and it shows! Way to go!

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Thankful for administration pressing for all staff to be able to get vaccinated if we choose. With the uncertainty of our world, it's helpful to know that we are valued and protected.

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Shout out to all of our AMAZING Paras in the Elementary! You all go above and beyond for our kiddos! We could not do what we do without you all!

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Shout out to Mel Enger - Thank you for taking the time to just stop into our classrooms and check in on us with any other agendas. It makes us feel appreciated <3

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Friday was wonderful and well needed.  Thank you to all who were apart of developing and caring it out.

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Those FABULOUS Elementary Literacy Teachers are wearing their Reading shirts - designed and made by Brittanie R. They look great!!! Keep up your hard work!!! Your dedication does not go unnoticed and is so greatly appreciated.

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Shout out to the Elementary Literacy Team for planning and carrying out a Virtual Family Literacy Night. All students at the Elementary will be going home this week with their own book bag of literacy materials and a FREE book from the school. They will be assembling over 230 bags to go home. Thanks for continuing to provide our students with amazing and engaging learning opportunities!

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A shout out to Admin for allowing us to do Wellness Day on Friday. I went out of my box and tried many new work outs and meditation. Also, thank you to the kitchen staff for a wonderful, healthy lunch!

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Thank you to Rachel Murphy for all of her support in the Crossroads Program!

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Thanks to Neil for keeping our school traditions alive during this crazy year!

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Shout out to Nick Z for leading the Forensics team to their wins!

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Shout out to Stephanie Bentheimer for all her hard work in helping our students at the alternative school meet their individualized personal goals! All of these students are on their own plan/path for what needs to be accomplished and she has done an amazing job helping each student stay on track. Also, shout out to her for all the extra work she has put in creating individualized study prep materials and plans for students to get the highest score possible on their GED tests!!!!

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To all BlueJay Staff, Educators, and Partner Teachers - You All Rock !!!!!  You are the most supportive group I have ever worked with - I am so lucky and thankful to be a part of this team.  Thank You

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Shout out to Amy for being super responsive to emails and giving reminders about little, easy to forget things.

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First grade teachers and Carol - thanks for all your help this morning! You rock!

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SHOUT OUT TO TRISHA WAGNER! She has been going above and beyond all year!

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A shout out to 4K teachers/paras for being so flexible today and being willing to do whatever was needed:)

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To Everyone recording books with Matt Cheek:  the kiddos are going to LOVE watching and listening to them!!

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I am giving a shoutout to the students in the Crossroads program. They are doing an amazing job!

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Shout out to Brady for fixing the printer this morning.

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Happy Monday Everyone!!!!!!

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A shout out to Tricia Wagner for putting in so much effort for the One School One Book activity! The hallway looks great!

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Thank you for Enger for always showing appreciation to her staff. Breakfast makes mornings a little easier and brought many smiles today!

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Thank you to Mandy Christensen for always putting a smile on my face. :)

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Thank you to Enger for checking in on her staff and being here for us even when you aren't physically here. :)

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Thanks to Stephanie B for helping me with setting up a custom math class on Edgenuity! You are very helpful!

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Thank you to María for helping me with a student situation! I appreciate it!

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Many thanks to Neil for guiding our school through COVID this year. Neil's compassionate leadership has help guide students and teachers through these difficult times. Thank you!

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Signing off.... The Professor

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Thank you to all elementary for their smiles and support as I ventured the Math classroom again for Mrs. Short. Thank you for Mr. Cheek for taking over on days where there was conflict and continuing the mathematics classroom to its mathematicians level! Thank you Paola and Maria for your dedicated support in ensuring every student learns and progress in their math each and everyday! Thank you to the students who kept to the grind and got it done with complete adaptability. I still believe Math is amazing and love the way we are leading students to their learning through our practices and dedication! Cheers to all this holiday season! Enger you know... you were pretty supportive too.

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Maria....you are the very best and always so happy and witty!

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Shout Out to the Elementary team for making Monday fun and positive!!

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Thank you to the elementary staff for your willingness to cover anything and everything at anytime!

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Huge shout out to everyone who helped in the kitchen while Kassidy was gone! We are so appreciative to everyone who stepped up to help out!

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A HUGE thank you to everyone that donated to the Blue Jeans Team! $930 will be given to Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors!!

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Chad is doing a great job juggling athletics in the time of COVID--scheduling is difficult, but Chad has helped tremendously. Thanks to Neil for sitting in on the two classes that David Cooks joined--my students were deeply inspired by David's story. Also, continued thanks go out to Carly for being the best of colleagues!

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Thank you Mr. O'Connell for your continued support.

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Thank-you to Ashley O. for donating books to the Literacy Team.

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Shout out to the Elementary Literacy Team - you all are truly THE BEST. Your support for student learning does NOT go unseen. The amazing events you plan to engage and promote reading are THE BEST!!! Keep up all of your hard work!!!

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Shout out to Wendy Belongia on smiling and waving to every car that drives by her crossing guard post!

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So glad to have Amy on board, awesome communication and positivity!

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Thank you to Stephanie and Rachel for participating in the NHS jean team fundraiser even though "no one will see it". Your support is appreciated!

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Shout out to our WONDERFUL leadership staff! :) Enger takes the reigns for whatever is needed, from teaching to cleaning up after sick students, she is TRULY AMAZING!

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Shout Out to Brett:  Man of MANY talents!!!

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Shout out to the Elementary Sped Staff!! You are all AMAZING!!!!!

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Shout out to Chad Hayes for just being awesome and helpful; as well as for his ability to develop positive relationships with the students.

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Thank you to all of the elementary staff for continuing to always fill in wherever you are needed and doing it with a positive attitude! You are all appreciated more than you know!

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Shout out to Brett for his help with swapping computers today and coming to help so quickly last minute! Thank you!

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shout out to the MS staff who looked AWESOME for Halloween dress up day on Wednesday.  The kids loved seeing everyone participate!

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So impressed by Trish's work--her cheerful, gentle efficiency is amazing. Thanks for helping keep our students safe and engaged by arranging for subs throughout the day.

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Thank you to all staff for filling in the gaps when we are short staffed.

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Thank you to the Elementary teachers for being flexible and helping the new Math, Writing, and Science teacher!

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Diane Trimborn is AMAZING!  Thank you Diane for stepping up to cover crossing guard!

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Thank you to all of my subs and Trisha for covering for me while I was out.

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Ground yourself.

Stand up straight with your arms resting comfortably at your sides. Place your feet shoulder-width apart and focus on feeling the bottoms of your feet grounded on the floor below you. Close your eyes and scan your body from bottom to top, sensing any places that feel stiff or tender. Try to breathe into those areas to release any tension.

https://thecounselingteacher.com/2019/12/50-self-care-ideas-for-teachers.html

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50 Self-Care Ideas for Teachers

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Self-Care Ideas for Educators...https://thecounselingteacher.com/2019/12/50-self-care-ideas-for-teachers.html

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Mindful Eating

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Another breathing activity...https://www.cordem.org/globalassets/files/academic-assembly/2017-aa/handouts/day-three/biofeedback-exercises-for-stress-2---fernances-j.pdf

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Try this 2 minute Breathe Bubble:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tOJZQhO_Uw

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HUGE thank you to the amazing teachers and admin  (you know who you are;) )  that have been continuously stepping up and filling in when other staff are out!  We definitely couldn't make this work without your selfless willingness to help!  THANK YOU!

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To the Admin Staff:  thank you for standing out in the cold this morning to keep us SAFE.

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Shoutout to our middle school coaches as they start their last week of games!

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Congrats to Brady for the new addition! He is so cute!

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HUGE SHOUT OUT to Mrs. Stephanie Bentheimer for being an amazing co - worker and putting up with all my questions in the beginning of the year! Amazing job training me in all the new programs that the school district uses as well as assisting me in anything I have questions on! Amazing dedication to helping all students with  the daily meetings!

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Breathing exercises offer an extremely simple, effective, and convenient way to relieve stress and reverse your stress response, reducing the negative effects of chronic stress.﻿﻿ There are definite benefits of breathing exercises. While simple diaphragmic breathing can provide relaxation and stress relief, there are several different types of breathing exercises to try, each with its own twist. Here are several breathing exercises, some of which are commonly recommended, some of which are unique, and all of which can each offer help in managing stress. This is an easy exercise that only takes a few minutes. Here's how.

Mindful Diaphragmic Breathing

Get into a comfortable position, close your eyes, and start to notice your breath.﻿﻿ Before you begin to alter it, pay attention to the pace and depth. Are you taking deep breaths or shallow ones? Are you breathing quickly or slowly? (Becoming aware of your breathing can help you to become more mindful of your body's response to stress, and can help you to notice when you need to deliberately relax your breathing.)

Counted Breathing

Counting your breaths can be helpful, both for pacing and as a form of meditation. This technique helps with pacing-it enables you to elongate your breath and stretch out your exhales. There are a few ways to do this.

As you inhale, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth right behind your teeth, then breathe through your nose and slowly count down from five; on the exhale, let the air escape through your mouth and count back up to eight. Then repeat. This helps you to really empty your lungs and relax into each breath.

A variation of this is known as "4-7-8 breathing," and is recommended by wellness expert Dr. Andrew Weil. With this option, you inhale for a count of four, wait for a count of seven, and exhale for a count of eight. This allows you to pause between breaths and really slow things down. When you're first starting out, practice 4-7-8 breathing for four breaths, and then gradually work your way up to eight full breaths.

Set Your Own Pace

Visualization Breathing: Inflating the Balloon

Get into a comfortable position, close your eyes, and begin breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you inhale, imagine that your abdomen is inflating with air like a balloon. As you exhale, imagine that the air is escaping the balloon slowly. Remember, you do not have to force the air out; it simply escapes on its own, in its own time. You may want to imagine the balloon as your favorite color, or that you are floating higher in the sky with each breath if this is relaxing for you. Regardless, the "inflating balloon" visualization can help you to breathe deeply from your diaphragm rather than engaging in shallow breathing that can come from stress.

Visualization Breathing: Releasing Your Stress

Get into a comfortable position, close your eyes, and start diaphragmic breathing. As you inhale, imagine that all the stress in your body is coming from your extremities and into your chest. Then, as you exhale, imagine that the stress is leaving your body through your breath and dissipating right in front of you. Slowly, deliberately repeat the process. After several breaths, you should feel your stress begin to subside.

Deep, Cleansing Breath

Sometimes all you need to release stress from your shoulders, back, or the rest of your body is a few big, cleansing breaths.﻿﻿ Breathe in deeply through your nose, and take in as much air as you comfortably can. Then release it, and really focus on emptying your lungs. (Many people hold air in their lungs after an exhale, so emptying your lungs on a deep exhale can help you to get more fresh oxygen into them.) Repeat this breathing exercise for a few breaths and release the tension in your back, your shoulders, and anywhere else it tends to reside.

Alternate Nostril Breathing

This breathing exercise variation has been practiced for thousands of years as a form of meditative breathing.﻿﻿ As you inhale, place your finger over your right nostril and only breathe through your left. On the exhale, switch nostrils and only breathe through your right. You can breathe at whatever pace is comfortable for you, either a 5-8 ratio, a 4-7-8 ratio or whatever pace feels most relaxing for you (see "counted breathing," above). Repeat this exercise for up to five minutes.

Explore More Options

There are numerous other ways to practice breathing exercises, but these are some of the most popular and effective. Experiment and see which work best for you.

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Learn to Evaporate Stress in Less Than a Minute

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Breathing exercises offer an extremely simple, effective, and convenient way to relieve stress and reverse your stress response, reducing the negative effects of chronic stress.﻿﻿ There are definite benefits of breathing exercises. While simple diaphragmic breathing can provide relaxation and stress relief, there are several different types of breathing exercises to try, each with its own twist.

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Personalized Virtual Instruction at Crossroads

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Thanks Brett for getting the network back up so quickly!