Wellness Day

One of the most highly anticipated days of the academic year took place on Thursday, February 14^th, 2013- Wellness Day! The entire Cardin community enjoys this annual one day break from the regular academic schedule to focus on health and wellness of the body and mind. 

We kicked the day off with an all-school fitness assessment that tested students in four key areas- flexibility/stretching, running, sit-ups and jumping rope.  Highlights included Mr. Creeger’s winning the title of “most flexible” faculty member, with Leah W. and Jake G. our most flexible students.  We finished the fitness assessment with a tug-of-war tournament, with a faculty win over the 12^th grade in the finals.

The second portion of the day was devoted to seminars focusing on a variety of topics.  In “Why They Really Say ‘You Shouldn’t Eat That’”, we explored whole versus processed foods with Cara Elio, a registered dietician and owner of La Vida Nutritiva, LLC, a nutrition counseling consulting firm.  “Safe, Far and Sober” was facilitated by Mike Gimbel, director of “Powered by Me” and President of Mike Gimbel Associates, a Substance Abuse and Education Consulting Service; we discussed adolescent substance abuse as well as hidden dangers of energy drinks and nutrition supplements.  Our own Coach Conway gave a First Aid workshop that focused on wound care, bone and muscle injuries and weather and illness-related emergencies.  Kate Clemmer, Outreach Director at the Center for Eating Disorders, presented the workshop “Enhancing Media Literacy & Promoting Positive Body Image” which taught our community skills to see and interpret the media in new, more accurate ways.  Our final workshop was “Guided Meditation” with Scott Carson, a yoga instructor in Washington DC, who introduced us to fundamental yoga concepts, then led us through a guided meditation. 

The final segment of Wellness Day got us moving again in our activity breakouts.  Andreas “Spilly” Spiliadis, current world record holder and performer with the Baltimore Hoop Love group, once again led us in a hula hooping and juggling extravaganza.  John Gallagher, USAUltimate Maryland Youth Coordinator, introduced us to basic Ultimate Frisbee concepts and skills.  Sharon Lerner, one of our last block elective instructors, taught a Zumba class that got us dancing and working up a sweat.  An instructor from Masada Tactical led us in an intense Krav Maga exercise.  For those seeking a quieter fitness opportunity, Scott Carson led us in a yoga workshop that introduced basic poses, then taught us to put them together in sequence that heightened body awareness. 

~Shannon Carney

 School Counselor