1. In This Issue
Sip Smart Pg. 2
The Challenge is On! Pg. 3
Fun in the Sun Pg. 4
Upcoming Community Events Pg. 5
Columbus City Schools
Spring 2015 Newsletter

2. Sip Smart: The Benefits of Water
Summer Day Refresher: Cucumber/Lemon/Mint/Ginger Water
Ingredients:
 2 liters water (about 8 1/2 cups)
 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
 1 med cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
 1 med lemon, thinly sliced
 12 small spearmint leaves
Directions
1. Combine all ingredients in a large
pitcher and let flavors blend overnight
in the fridge.
2. Strain the ingredients out of the water
the next morning and drink all 2 liters by
the end of the day
Water Infographic Source: https://www.watercoolersdirect.com/Content/Images/uploaded/wcd-blog/2012/07/benefits-of-drinking-water-infographic.jpg ;
Drink recipe: prevention.com

3. 2014 – 2015 District-Wide Wellness Challenges
5-2-1-0 Challenge
October 1st– October 31st
390 CCS Employees Registered
This individual challenge was designed to help CCS
employees build healthy habits into their daily
lives. The healthy habits consisted of : increasing
fruit and/ or vegetable intake to five servings or
more a day, reducing screen time to two hours or less
daily, increasing physical activity to 30 minutes or
more a day, and eliminating sugary beverages.
Fitness Finale Challenge
February 16th- April 27th
441 CCS Employees Registered
This team-based challenge was designed to help
CCS employees increase the amount of physical
activity each day and build accountability within
their work building. The goal of the challenge was
for each individual to complete 10,000 steps a day.
5k training programs were also available in this
challenge.
Fitness Frenzy Testimonial Highlights
“The Columbus City Schools wellness initiative has impacted my life dramatically. I am very excited to say that the program
has helped me to be more active in my daily life and to make more healthy choices when I eat. ...I am so thankful that
Columbus City has made it easier to make healthy changes in our lives. I look forward to continued progress in the future!”
“...Fitness classes, the gym memberships, support programs and coaches, challenges, the demo classes increased
awareness...the combination of all these things have made a huge difference in my outlook on living and being healthy.
Without all these factors I would still be a smoking, junk food eating, non-exercising, stressed out wreck! “
“...I am thankful that Columbus City Schools has buildings that encourage wellness and a free membership to the gym is
also a blessing that is helping me continue my journey!”
…”As a 45 year old mother, being healthy has become a higher priority, for a few reasons. One is that I want to be around
as long as I can as I want to be here for my daughter. Another reason is that I want her to learn by example. When she sees
my being active and eating healthy, she too may realize the importance or value of living a healthy and active lifestyle and
finally, I owe it to her.”

4. Fun in the Sun
Pool Safety
Tips to stay safe
 Avoid swallowing pool water or
even getting it in your mouth
 Shower before swimming and
wash your hand after using the
toilet or changing diapers
 Check children’s diapers often
and take children on bathroom
breaks
 Kids can drown in seconds.
Keep a close watch on children
at all times.
 Do not use air-filled swimming
aids (e.g. water wings) with
children in place of a life jacket
 To avoid poolside injuries, do
not jump into shallow water or
run by pool area. Always walk.
- Pool User Information CDC, 2015
Warmer temperatures are great but it comes
with a price...bugs! Specifically mosquitoes
and ticks. Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile
virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, eastern
equine encephalitis virus and even dengue.
Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other
serious infections. To prevent these illnesses,
use an appropriate insect and tick repellent
and apply it properly. Prime mosquito-biting
hours are usually from dusk to dawn, but
ticks are out all the time.
Skin Protection The hours between 10
a.m. and 4 p.m. daylight savings time (9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. standard time) are the most hazard-
ous for UV exposure. Use sunscreen with at
least SPF 15, cover up with clothing, wear a
brimmed hat, and wear sunglasses that block
UVA and UVB rays.
-www.cdc.gov
Mediterranean Couscous Yield: 4 servings (serving size about 1 cup)
Ingredients:
• 1 3/4 cups reduced sodium vegetable
broth
• 3/4 cup whole wheat couscous
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup chopped seeded peeled
cucumber
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
“Exercising in
water offers many
physical and
mental health
benefits and is a
good choice for
people who want
to be more active.
When in the
water, remember
to protect yourself
and others from
illness and injury
by practicing
healthy and safe
swimming
behaviors.”
Directions:
Bring broth to a boil in a medium
saucepan; gradually stir in couscous.
Remove from heat; cover and let
stand 5 minutes.
Fluff with a fork. Combine couscous,
tomatoes, and remaining ingredients
in a large bowl.
Enjoy!
For more information on this recipe,
visit the CCS Wellness website:
http://www.ccsoh.us/Wellness.aspx

5. Upcoming Community Health & Wellness Events
Stay Well. Stay Fit. Stay Strong.
May 2nd
Capital City Half Marathon, Patron Quarter Marathon. Commit to Be Fit 5K
8:00 am Downtown Columbus
More info: capitalcityhalfmarathon.com
Short North Gallery Hop
4:00 pm– 10:00 pm Short North Columbus
More info: columbusarts.com/events/96743-gallery-hop-11
May 16th
Komen Columbus Race for the Cure
8:00 am Downtown Columbus
More info: komencolumbus.org
June 6th
Move More 5K & 1 mile Run/ Walk
7:30 am Columbus, Ohio
More info: mmore.org/MoveMMOREColumbus/2015.html