CVMS had two special guests at its faculty meeting Monday, Sept. 9.
Alex Tremper, the district’s director of security, was on hand for the first half of the meeting to discuss the challenges we all face with ensuring the safety and security of all students and staff during the school day. He discussed with the group what he and the members of his department do in Pine Bush to keep everyone safe. The staff was grateful for his visit and for his expertise, and for his candid responses to their questions.

 

 

The second half of the meeting was about self-care. Fitness instructor DeShawn Jenkins, from CrossFit TakeBack Gym, provided much-needed time for staff wellness. He introduced chair yoga to the group to help with stress reduction and overall improved health that can be done anywhere, anytime.
He explained physiological and psychological indicators of stress and their effects. He led the group through light meditation and yoga movements designed to improve energy, concentration and focus. Some of these included joint warm-ups, cat-cow, side bends, twists, seated forward bends, standing frame and seated pose, to name a few. DeShawn was awesome, according to Lee Hankinson, principal of CVMS, as he showed them how yoga, controlled breathing, and meditation can help them relax before, during, and after a stressful day.

“We will definitely have DeShawn back for more SEL for our staff,” said Ms. Hankinson. “We are all feeling a lot more relaxed and I am happy to say that anyone who now needs a nap can thank DeShawn and not me for a boring faculty meeting!”

“As TV talk show host and author Dr. Phil McGraw once said, ‘You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others’,” Ms. Hankinson said. “The staff at CVMS will continue to follow his advice as we strive to create better versions of ourselves each day.”