Happy Friday JPP

Starting next week, we will go back to sending out one weekly newsletter instead of multiple email communication throughout the week. We have heard from you that it is too much and the last thing we want to do is overwhelm you!

We do, however, want to communicate some really great information on a regular basis. We know that now, more than ever, it is essential for our community to stay connected and engage with each other to help support JPP families during these non-ideal times that bring with it much uncertainty, anxiety, and stress.

From our families, to your families, to our greater JPP family - we are here for you and we are all in this together.

Virtual Small Groups Survey closes today

Please take 1-3 minutes to fill out the survey for Virtual Small Groups. Today is the last day to give your opinion on which groups you would like to participate in!

Follow this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DTZS6WT

CHANGES TO GRAB-AND-GO MEAL SERVICE - starts Monday, April 6

To better serve the Jeffco community and to accommodate the large numbers of meals we are serving, we are moving some of our grab-and-go meal sites. All site location changes will be effective Monday, April 6, 2020.

Site Location Changes starting Monday, April 6

Alameda High - no changes
Arvada K-8 moves to Arvada High (enter on West 66th Ave.)
Bear Creek High will open as a NEW grab-and-go site (enter on Dartmouth Pl.)
Columbine High - no changes
Edgewater Elementary moves to Jefferson Jr/Sr High (enter from 24th Ave.)
Foothills Elementary moves to Dunstan Middle (enter from S. Wright St.)
Lasley Elementary - CLOSING as grab-and-go site. Please visit Alameda High for meals.
Parr Elementary moves to Pomona High (enter from Pomona Dr.)
Wayne Carle Middle - no changes
Welchester Elementary moves to Golden High (enter from 24th St.)
West Jefferson Elementary - no changes
Wheat Ridge High - no changes

General Information

Sites will still be open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Meals are available at no cost to all children 1-18 years old
Meals will be served at a curbside location and put into the car trunk, through the car window, or handed off by walk-up.
Parents and caregivers can pick up meals for children who are sick or cannot be present for other reasons. We will ask for and write down names of children who are not present to receive meals.
Please do not come to the sites if you are sick.

For more information, please visit: https://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/

Nutritional Tips for Health and Wellness

?Feeling the snack bug? Me too! Working from home brings out the munchier in me. Here are a few healthy snacks to keep on hand that won't make you feel guilty.

Pre-cut fruits and veggies - keep apples from browning
Nuts - eat in small quantities as they are calorie dense
Popcorn - watch the butter and salt
Rice cake with peanut butter
Jerky

Do you find yourself reaching for food when you're feeling down, upset or out of control? Finding comfort in food is common and it's called emotional eating. And in our current state of affairs, this might seem more prominent, so please know you are not alone!

Anything from work stress to financial worries, health issues (COVID-19) to relationship worries may cause you to have a feeling of emptiness. Food is believed to be a way to fill that void and create a false sense of fullness.

Check out these two articles for more on emotional eating - Article 1 and Article 2

Atkin boys making their neighborhood beautiful by cleaning up trash near the river and getting out of the house for some fresh air while still socially distancing!

Passing the Time

Keeping ourselves safe by staying home or respecting social distancing doesn't have to be terrible. Here are 2 wonderful examples of what families have been up to during quarantine! Send us some photos of what you and your family have been doing to pass the time and have some fun.

Izaak built an indoor fort with boxes and spent the day exploring his kingdom to pass the time!

Take a Minute for Mindfulness

Having compassion for yourself is no different than having compassion for others. When you are having a difficult time, feeling like you are failing or just struggling - help yourself out with positive self talk and self-compassion.

When you start beating yourself up for not having it all together - remind yourself that you are doing your best, you are making progress and each day your are getting better.

Here is a good resource if you would like to learn more - Self Compassion: Dr. Kristin Neff