Message from the Executive Director

January ⁄ February 2012

I hope your New Year has gotten off to a great start. Many of us make resolutions we do not keep and we feel bad about it. Well, instead of feeling bad about not keeping resolutions, let’s just feel good about knowing that we have brought our best selves into this New Year.

According to Robert Fulghum, “The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.” Be your best you. Flexible people never get bent out of shape!

To All Hickman Mill School District Members

In December, Hickman Mills participated in on-site health screenings, provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. The most recent health screenings were conducted in November of 2011, and consisted of screenings for height, weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, glucose, body fat and body mass index. A confi-dential Health Risk Appraisal was part of that screening process that asked questions about healthy lifestyle habits.

We wanted to share those results, in aggregate, with you, even if you did not par-ticipate in the screenings. These results are important indicators of the health of our employees and where we can make efforts to become healthier.

Here’s how we did: BMI, stress, hypertension and seat belt use were health risks for us. In fact, of those individuals who participated in the screenings and Health Risk Appraisal, 49% were classified as having BMI in the risk, obese or morbidly obese categories, 31% indicated high levels of stress in their lives, 27% of screening partici-pants had blood pressure levels in pre-hypertension and hypertension ranges, and 19% reported less than 100% seat belt use.

So, what’s the good news? The good news is that Hickman Mills School District will be providing some opportunities for all of us to become more engaged in reducing our health risks. Look for programs to be offered on-site and via webinar, that address weight control, physical activity, healthy eating, stress reduction, and managing your blood pressure. While these programs are not mandatory, we strongly encourage everyone to participate, and to make participation a priority. We would like to see even those people with few or no health risks participate because we are making an investment in good health — and that means not only becoming healthier, but staying healthy as well.

Look for more information about these programs and for the next screening opportunity.

Our goal is to recruit, support and retain a high quality and effective workforce in the Hickman Mills C-1 School District

IN THIS ISSUE

Benefits UpdateNew HiresHR Q&AAESOP

A Monthly Insight to your Human Resources Department

• If you are a secretary and you are interested in attending a workshop or conference, please contact Marsha Rudolph at 316-7243 for details.

• Secretaries, please make sure that you are recording and submitting all FMLA absences.

• Farmers Insurance now has discounts for their Hickman Mills clients. Please contact your agent for more information.

TIDBITS

WHAT’S NEW

YIPPY! The Human Resources Department has launched its new on-line application system called AppliTrack. Applications now come to the District via the web and will be placed into a database. Principals and Directors with an ID and password can then query or browse the system for viable candidates. Training is forthcoming.

411 ALERT!Here’s the news you’ve all been waiting to hear! Baptiste Wellness Center hours:• Open 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 A.M., M–F• Closed 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., M–F• Open 3:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., M–F• Closed Saturday and Sunday Family members must contact HR to fill out a membership application for the Wellness Center.

HR will make access badges for eligible family members (spouse, parents and children).

Family members must be age 18 and over to use the Wellness Center.

All District employees and current BOE members should have an access badge. All retired employees and substitutes interested in utilizing the Wellness Center should contact Bette Jo Jones in HR at 316-7214 for an access badge. The Wellness Center will be accessible through Door B dur-ing Wellness Center hours. The Wellness Center will be open on days when school is in regular session unless noted otherwise. The Wellness Center will be closed on snow days and during Thanksgiving. Winter Break, Spring Break and Summer Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. These procedures will take effect on February 21, 2012.

BENEFITS UPDATE

Please be reminded that the $100 RX deductible went into effect on January 1, 2012.

Medication Tier Changes effective March 1, 2012. 3 Brand Name Drugs moving from Tier 3 to Tier 2 • Victoza – Insulin Product • Tradjenta – Diabetes 3 Brand Name Drugs moving from Tier 2 to Tier 3 • Apidra – Diabetes • OsmoPrep – Bowel Preparation

Therapy areas requiring step therapy. 3 Nuvigil before Provigil – Stimulants 3 Fibrate Class – Cholestrol 3 Topical Acne – Acne 3 Topical Corticosteroid – Eczema, skin rash

Drugs requiring prior authorization. 3 Suboxone – Addiction

Feel free to contact Ms. Kearse in Benefits at 316-8216 if you have questions.

Executive Director, HR ..............................................................S. Fowler, ext 7123HR Administrative Secretary, Certified ............................ Bette Jo Jones, ext 7214HR Placement Secretary, Classified ...............................Nicole Williams, ext 7217Benefits ⁄ Insurance ⁄ Retirees ......................................... TaShana Kearse, ext 8216Substitute Coordinator .................................................Gladys Sanderson, ext 7120

Principals, please remind teachers to enter absences into AESOP as early as possible if they need a substitute to fill an assignment. AESOP stops calling substitutes 30 minutes before school starts in order for substitutes to arrive on time. Unfilled assign-ments can be viewed by substitutes on-line from AESOP. Most assignments are filled each day.

Benefits/Insurance ⁄ FMLA ⁄ WC ............................................................... TaShana KearseBOE Reports ...................................................... S. Fowler/Bette Jo Jones/Nicole WilliamsCertification ....................................................... S. Fowler/Bette Jo Jones/Nicole WilliamsContracts .............................................................................Bette Jo Jones/Nicole WilliamsForms-Employees ....................................................................................... District WebsiteHarassment & Discrimination ............................................................................... S. FowlerHQT ....................................................................................................................... S. FowlerJob Postings ........................................................................Bette Jo Jones/Nicole WilliamsPhoto ID Badge ...............................................................................................Bette Jo JonesPolicy ..................................................................................................................... S. FowlerResignations ....................................................... S. Fowler/Bette Jo Jones/Nicole WilliamsStudent Teachers .............................................................................................Bette Jo JonesSubstitutes ................................................................................................ Gladys SandersonTravel ⁄ Secretaries ⁄ Clerks ...........................................................S. Fowler/Bette Jo JonesVerification of Employment............................................................................Bette Jo Jones

Who Should I Call?

AESOP

Q:A:

What is unwelcome conduct?

Perhaps the most difficult issue to balance is the natural need to joke or tease to “blow off steam” in a high stress work environment and cross-ing the line into conduct that is unwelcome and thus, potentially legally actionable.

The difficulty of this issue is compounded by the fact that “unwelcome-ness” is measured not by the intent of the alleged harasser, but by the “ef-fect” the conduct has on the victim. In other words, if an alleged harasser admits to engaging in the behavior, but claims s/he “did not intend to of-fend,” that is not a defense. To further complicate the matter, the law does not require the victim of harassment to inform the alleged harasser that his/her conduct is offensive and/or unwelcome, recognizing that in many instances a victim may feel powerless to do so out of fear for his/her job. Thus, engaging in questionable conduct or making insensitive remarks or jokes in the workplace creates a ripe situation for misunderstandings and potential claims.

Please contact the Human Resources Department should you have questions or concerns regarding sexual harassment.

NEW HIRES!

Please join the HRD in welcoming our most recent employees.

Nicole WilliamsAlvin DonahueMegan WardLaTosha ReeseMegan JamesElaine KniepfelCharla BrownChristel DouglasDonald HillNasr SalmanKelly MillerKristin MillionClifford RaganBarbara DavisCol. Ivan GlascoJesse HowellBethany KellyMargaret MollenhourMarena CottermanAlice OsbornMichael HutchinsTamika JohnsonDon WheelerEbony LandisNadiyah ThrelkeldGustava Cooper-BakerCody Smith

Sexual Harassment Q & A

SUBSTITUTE NEWS

All substitutes MUST complete a new I-9 Form for the Human Resources Department before you will be able to substitute as a teacher, secretary, clerk, or recess aide. Please come by the Administrative Center between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM daily. All substitute Para’s MUST have 60 College hours or complete the PRAXIS TEST. All substitute teachers MUST have a CURRENT Substitute Teacher Certificate or currently hold a valid teaching certificate. If you need assistance, please contact Gladys Sanderson.

february 2012

Dark Chocolate Ricotta MousseDark chocolate doesn’t just taste good, it’s also good for your heart. Impress your Valentine’s date with this delicious and easy recipe from Better Homes and Gardens. It makes 10 servings and takes just 8 minutes.

Ingredients:6 ounces dark chocolate, chopped1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese1/4 cup fat-free half-and-half1/2 teaspoon vanilla Raspberries or small strawberries (optional)Mint leaves (optional)

Directions:Place chopped chocolate in a 2-cup glass measure or small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on 70% power (medium-high) for 1 minute; stir. Microwave on 70% power for 1 to 2 minutes more, or until chocolate is melted, stirring every 15 seconds. In a food processor bowl, combine cheese, half-and-half, and vanilla. Cover and process until combined. Add melted chocolate while food processor is running. Process until well combined. Spoon into cups or small bowls. Serve immediately, or cover and chill for up to 24 hours. If desired, garnish with fresh berries and mint leaves.

Nutritional Information:Calories 153; Protein 6g; Carbohydrate 13g; Sugar 9g; Cholesterol 14mg

Is Your Heart Rate Normal?The number of beats per minute when you’re fully at rest is used to indicate your fitness level. To determine your resting heart rate, measure it before you get out of bed in the morning. Here’s how:

To measure at the neck: Place your index and middle finger just to the side of your Adam’s apple, in the soft, hollow area. Press firmly until you locate the pulse.

To measure at the wrist: Place your index and middle finger over the underside of your opposite wrist, below the base of the thumb. Press firmly with your fingers until you feel the pulse.

Once you find the pulse: Count your heartbeats for a full minute, or count for 15 seconds and multiply that count by four for your beats per minute (BPM).

A normal resting heart for average adults is anywhere from 60 to 100 BPM. A resting heart rate that is consistently above 100 can indicate underlying heart problems, as can one that is consistently below 60.

February is American Heart Month

Did You Know?

Want to burn a few calories? Here’s an example of what a 150-pound person would typically burn doing an hour of the following:

High-impact aerobics ........................................ 422 caloriesGeneral circuit training ..................................... 563 caloriesKickboxing ........................................................... 704 caloriesWalking (moderate pace) ................................ 246 caloriesWeight lifting ....................................................... 211 caloriesStationary bike (moderate effort) .................... 493 calories

Recognize Signs & Symptoms A heart attack can come on quickly, but most heart attacks start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. To find out the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, click here.

1. You sleep too little—or too much.

Why it’s a risk factor: “Too much or too little sleep can increase blood pressure and levels of stress hormones,” says Jennifer Mieres, M.D., a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. Over time, this stress can wear on the heart.

2. You have gum disease.

Why it’s a risk factor: While the link is not clear, it may be that the inflammation from gum disease allows bacteria to enter the mouth’s blood vessels, travel into the coronary artery vessels, and narrow the passages. This reduces blood flow.

3. Depression

Why it’s a risk factor: Depression can cause abnormal heart rhythms, elevated blood pressure, and faster blood clotting, all of which tax the heart.

4. You’ve always had irregular periods.

Why it’s a risk factor: “Women with abnormal periods produce less estrogen, so they lose its protective effect of keeping coronary vessels elastic,” Mieres, of the American Heart Association, says. “Stiff arteries are just more disease-prone.”

5. You’ve been diagnosed with certain autoimmune conditions.

Why it’s a risk factor: “The biological mechanisms and causes of these diseases still are not clear, but they may be related to inflammation,” says Erica Jones, M.D., associate professor at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.

6. You feel tired and sluggish.

Why it’s a risk factor: Lower hemoglobin levels force the heart to work harder, which means it wears out sooner. “Anemia can be a key risk factor, especially as women start getting close to menopause and their periods become irregular and they’re living with lower hemoglobin levels,” Mieres says.

7. You’ve had a high-risk pregnancy.

Why it’s a risk factor: Experts suspect the common denominator may be insulin resistance, which occurs when the body no longer uses insulin efficiently. Insulin resistance is a known risk factor for high blood pressure and is a major contributing factor to gestational diabetes.

8. Your mother had a bad heart.

Why it’s a risk factor: “Children typically spend more time with their mothers than with their fathers. Mothers with heart disease are more likely to smoke, have a poor diet, and/or be inactive, which can influence the behavior in offspring and increase their risk,” said lead study author Kristina Sundquist, M.D., assistant professor at the Karolinska Institute’s Center for Family Medicine in Stockholm.

 9. You’re taking steroids.

Why it’s a risk factor: Steroids increase blood pressure, lipids, and blood glucose, thus increasing the risk of heart disease. Since steroids change the potassium balance in the heart muscle’s cells, they may be the root cause of atrial fibrillation.

february 2012

An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

February is American Heart Month

9 Hidden Risk Factors of Heart DiseaseYou’ve heard over and over that smoking, being overweight and your genetics increase your chances of developing heart disease, but recent studies indicate less obvious warning signs you may want to heed.

Check out these nine hidden risk factors from Heart Healthy Living:

Put Your Heart to the Test If you think you may be at risk for developing heart disease, check with your doctor to get tested. Your age, health status, family history, and other risk factors will help you and your doctor determine which tests are right for you.

Drink Tea • Brush Your Teeth • Laugh LongerMeditate Often • Think Positive • Stay Active

Sleep More • Eat Dark Chocolate

Easy Ways to Improve Your Heart Health