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Published by Toni-Anne Cavallo, 2020-01-17 10:56:32

Workshop Descriptions 2020

Workshop Descriptions 2020

 
 
 
 
 

Wellness Day  

Workshop Descriptions 

February 18, 2020 

 

 

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: 8​ :00 AM - 8:50 AM 

High School Auditorium  

 

SESSION 1: ​9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 

SESSION 2: 1​ 0:15 AM - 11:15 AM 

 

LUNCH/HEALTH FAIR:​ ​11:30 AM - 12:30 PM 

High School Cafeteria 

 

SESSION 3: ​12:45 PM - 1:45 PM 

SESSION 4: ​2:00 PM - 2:45 PM 

 

 

  

Acoustic Guitar 101 
Presenter: C​ aitlin Shroyer, West Essex Regional School District 
Sessions: ​3, 4 
This workshop is catered to the beginner with no previous experience required. Beginning guitar 
fundamentals will be covered and you will leave the workshop able to play "Horse With No Name" 
by America so you can continue to show off at home. Guitars are provided. 
 
Acupuncture 
Presenter: M​ ichelina Kraus, Points to Health 
Sessions: ​1, 2, 3, 4 
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine 
in which thin needles are inserted into the body. It is an intricate system of integrative medicine that 
involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles, used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, 
mental, and emotional conditions. 
 
Adult Coloring for Stress Relief 
Presenter: A​ manda Procaccino, West Essex Regional School District 
Session: 1​  
We are all faced with stress on a daily basis, and because of technology that stress follows us 
around every minute of every day. A simple way to relieve stress is by coloring, which uses both 
sides of your brain and naturally refocuses your attention on something completely different. Break 
your pattern of stress with this mental, physical, and emotional shift from the non-stop stimulation. 
Come unplug with us! 
 
Analyzing Data Using Google Sheets 
Presenter: E​ rica Serio, West Essex Regional School District 
Session(s): ​3 
This session will go into detail on using Google sheets to analyze different types of data, quick data 
analysis with Google sheets, using formulas to synthesize data for instruction using Google sheets. 
 
Anxiety & School Avoidance: Increasing Understanding & Implementing Meaningful Interventions 
Presenter:​ Abby Maitland 
Session: 2​  
Identify truancy versus chronic absenteeism and school avoidance due to anxiety. This session will 
identify factors contributing to school avoidance, define anxiety and stress reactions, and educate 
regarding impact of chronic stress on the student's functioning. It will also go into detail on trauma 
related concerns and how the chronic over activation of the stress response system impacts 
functioning, mindfulness, Social Emotional Learning and other interventions to combat school 
avoidance related anxiety. Finally, we will review current best practices being implemented 
nationally. 
 

Bar Method Class & Discussion 
Presenter: K​ athy Costello, Bar Method of the Caldwells 
Session:​ ​3 
Join the owners of The Bar Method of the Caldwells for an enlightening discussion about the positive 
impact of exercise on your brain. A light sample Bar Method class (appropriate for all ages and 
fitness levels!) is included in the session. Bar Method exercises, designed with physical therapists, 
safely carve lean muscles, improve posture and increase flexibility. Come join the fun!  
 
Breathwork 
Presenter: T​ iffany Curran, Breathwork 
Session(s): ​TBD 
Breathwork is a New Age term for various breathing practices in which the conscious control of 
breathing is said to influence a person's mental, emotional or physical state, with a claimed 
therapeutic effect. Breathwork has no proven positive health impact other than promoting relaxation 
and can cause distress. 
 
Cardiac Health/Stroke Screenings 
Presenter: F​ lorey Cruz, Mountainside Hospital 
Session(s): ​TBD 
Cardiovascular screening is a medical consultation that involves undergoing different exams to 
measure or assess heart health and the risk factors associated with heart-related diseases. 
 
Creative Writing in Every Classroom 
Presenter: A​ aron Myerson, West Essex Regional School District 
Session(s): ​TBD 
This workshop will explore various creative writing activities and prompts to be used in any content 
area as well as in specific disciplines (based on which teachers sign up). Activities/prompts include 
icebreakers, satire, multimedia presentation ideas, research prompts, team-building, etc. We will also 
spend some time exploring ideas for writing our own creative fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. 
 
Core Conditioning 
Instructor: ​Natalia Kumar, Fitness 1440 
Session: 2​  
Core conditioning is a non-aerobic, muscle-toning class, usually focused on core strength. Most 
sculpting classes use weight bars, exercise bands, or dumbbells, or a combination of these gadgets. 
You perform traditional weight-training moves in a class setting. 
 
 
 
 
 

Courageous Conversations 
Presenter: C​ aroline Blanchard, West Essex Regional School District 
Session: T​ BD 
Do you shy away from topics and conversations in the classroom that you don't know how to 
handle? Are you worried about your own implicit biases and how it impacts your relationships with 
coworkers and students? In this workshop, we'll assess our own biases, the science behind them, 
and how to move past them in the classroom to tackle hard topics and create a more meaningful and 
productive discourses. We will also introduce the concept of "intersectionality" as a lens for enriching 
the classroom. Participants will leave with a self-created "tool kit" to use in the future. 
 
CPR/AED/First Aid 
Presenters: R​ yan Logan, Barbara Bruchac, West Essex Regional School District 
Sessions:​ 1-2 *​ *​THIS COURSE RUNS FROM 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM** 
This course offers certification in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED through the American Red 
Cross. The course incorporates the latest science and teaches responders how to react to breathing 
and cardiac emergencies to help victims of any age. Participants who successfully complete this 
course will receive a certificate for Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED valid for two years.  
 
Declutter Your Life!  
Presenter: D​ onna Mateyka, West Essex Regional School District 
Sessions: ​1, 2 
I will be presenting various ways to organize your school and home life. I will discuss downsizing 
how-to's, organizing tips and tricks, how to "let-go" of your stuff and simplify your life. 
 
Dietician 
Presenter: E​ lise Sopov, Nourish Your Body 
Session(s): ​TBD 
Elise Chassen Sopov is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Exercise Physiologist and a Certified 
LEAP Therapist, specially trained to help people with food sensitivities. Her mission is to educate and 
empower clients to make lifelong behavior changes to help them reach their own health and weight 
goals forever. Her style is motivating, realistic, achievable and always individualized to meet her 
clients’ specific needs. Elise firmly believes that a healthier body leads to a healthier, happier life. 
 
Environmentally Responsible Decision-Making 
Presenter: D​ r. Daniela Shebitz, Kean University 
Sessions: ​1, 2 
Through this session, we will discuss steps that can be taken by West Essex Regional School District 
to make environmentally-responsible decisions that can reduce the impact of climate change not only 
through those actions directly but also instilling sustainability as a way of life to your students and 
the greater community. The inextricable link between human health and wellness w​ ith sustainability 
will also be explored 

Escape Room Challenge  
Presenter: L​ ast Minute Escape 
Sessions: ​1, 2, 3, 4 
Teams of eight participants will work together to solve a series of interactive puzzles in order to 
"escape" from the classroom in 25 minutes or less. Each experience will involve teamwork, 
communication, problem-solving and ingenuity to be successful. The room escape activity is a great 
way to reconnect with your colleagues and reinvigorate your love of problem-solving activities! Each 
1-hour session includes two unique games for 25 minutes each. 
 
Forest Bathing 
Presenter: L​ auren F. Taibi, LPC, NCC, Be Well Psychotherapy 
Session: 2​  
Shinrin-yoki is a term meaning “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing”. It was 
developed in Japan during the 1980’s and has become a cornerstone of preventative health care and 
healing in Japanese medicine. Researchers primarily in Japan and South Korea have established a 
robust body of scientific literature on the health benefits of spending time under the canopy of a 
living forest. Now their research is helping to establish shinrin-yoku and forest therapy throughout 
the world.  
 
Guided Meditation Through Vinyasa Yoga 
Instructor: ​Michael Giaimo, Good Vibes Yoga Bar 
Session: 3​  
This session is a guided meditation, focusing on positivism, and altering your mental framework to 
feel a sense of peace. This session will also work on active pranayama (breathing technique), & 
Vinyasa Flow. 
 
Google Slides in the 21st Century 
Presenter: D​ avid Semaya, West Essex Regional School District 
Session: 1​  
Google Slides is not a boring presentation application. In this workshop, we will be sharing 
innovative ways to use Google Slides. This includes adding interactive links and work-spaces, 
template design, and even game design. Slides is not just for presentations anymore!  
 
Healthy Eating 
Presenter: L​ uciana Gencarelli, Zest 
Session: 1​  

Looking for simple ways to make healthy eating a lifestyle? Luciana Gencarelli, owner of Zest and alumni of 
West Essex ('10) is happy to share her valuable insight about nutrition, meal planning and healthy eating. 
Luciana will be joined by Jaclyn Jacobsen, M.S., Nutritionist and Founder of Lifestyle Nutrition to share tips on 

how to develop sustainable solutions for better health.  
 

 
How to File Your Taxes Using TurboTax 
Presenter: A​ ndrea Llauget, West Essex Regional School District 
Session: 1​  
This session will only be offered for those f​ iling single or head of household​. We will be working with 
the TurboTax software to help you get started and upload your own documents into the system and 
answer any questions about simplifying your taxes with tips to file correctly and efficiently. Have 
your W2's any other income statements from employers, mortgage tax statement, interest 
statements from banks and any children information such as social security number with you.  
 
Introduction to Vinyasa Yoga (gentle) 
Instructor: ​Ana Montoya, Good Vibes Yoga Bar 
Session: 2​  
This session is a gentle introduction to Vinyasa yoga. Yogis will work through a sequence of poses 
linked together through breathing exercises.  
 
Learn to Meditate Using Headspace App 
Presenter: B​ rett Florence, West Essex Regional School District 
Sessions: ​1, 2 
The benefits of meditation are numerous and varied, and supported by science. Many people start 
meditating to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and to cultivate peace of mind. But there are thousands 
of studies documenting other less-known mindfulness meditation benefits, which can have a positive 
impact of mental, physical, and emotional health. This workshop will introduce the practice of 
meditation by exploring the basic concept, then attendees will explore the Headspace App, the most 
common app for practicing Meditation using your phone, computer, or tablet. The workshop will 
conclude with a 10-15 minute guided meditation using Headspace.  
 
Learn to Snap & Read 
Presenter: C​ yndy McDonough & Janice Tufaro, West Essex Regional School District 
Session(s): ​TBD 
This lively presentation features a high school and middle school teacher explaining the benefits of 
Snap & Read. This extension is available for all West Essex students and teachers. We will 
demonstrate how to use the program to close the achievement gap for our struggling learners and 
assist all students with reading and writing. It offers text leveling, outline and study tools, read 
alouds, annotation, and visual displays. It is great for every student and teacher! 
 
Inclusive Curriculum 
Presenter: T​ BD 
Session(s): ​1 
Description TBD 
 

Meditation in the Classroom 
Presenter: T​ om Collins, West Essex Regional School District 
Session(s): ​TBD 
Mindfulness is the psychological process of purposely bringing one's attention to experiences 
occurring in the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness meditation seeks to quiet the mind 
by shifting one's focus to greater awareness of the body. This workshop will educate participants 
about the benefits of mindfulness meditation in the classroom (for teachers and students) and 
provide practical uses for meditation as opening, brain break, or closing to a lesson. Mindfulness 
practices such as a focus on breath, noting, visualization, and guided meditation will be addressed.   
 
Metabolic Conditioning 
Presenter: M​ ichael Puca, GT Fitness Concepts 
Session: 3​ , 4 
Metabolic Conditioning is a method of training that involves a very high work rate, using exercises 
designed to burn more calories during your workout and maximise calories burned after your 
workout. This “Bootcamp” style class will be given by Former Marine, Michael Puca and James 
Gilmore. It uses fast, explosive movements to help elevate your heart rate, build muscular endurance, 
release endorphins and, ultimately, raise your metabolic conditioning.  
 
Mindful Meditation 
Presenter: M​ arjorie Jameson, West Essex Regional School District 
Session: 3​  
Learn the simple steps that will allow you to relax and unplug from the hectic lives we live. We will 
practice Mindful meditation exercises designed to get you started on the way to a happier, stress free 
life.  
 
Muting Your Mind 
Presenter: J​ ason Kraus, Mindfulness Coach 
Sessions: ​1, 2, 3, 4 
Do you ever find yourself going down a rabbit hole of negative thoughts and emotions that you’re 
unable to stop? Are you finding it hard to make changes in your life even though you know you 
should? If you answered yes, don’t worry, because this is extremely common in today’s fast paced, 
high intensity world. Jason Kraus, a Mindfulness Coach, will be leading a candid and empowering 
seminar showing us that we are in fact, not our thoughts. Once Jason helps you come to this 
realization, he will introduce you to new concepts and techniques that will allow you to take back 
control of your mind, and thus your life.  
 
Painting Workshop 
Presenters: J​ ohn Atura & Erica Lescota, West Essex Regional School District 
Sessions: ​1, 2, 3 

For this one-hour painting workshop, we will attempt to do something we rarely have the 
opportunity to do in school, relax and have fun! In keeping with the theme of the day, each 
participant will create a painting to serve as a reminder of the importance of getting outside, smelling 
the air, starting yoga or meditation practice and or just plain chilling out from time to time. 
Participants will be led step by step through the painting process. For this project, the journey is the 
destination and there will be no grades! Of course, we welcome creativity, so if you already have 
something in mind that would like to paint, that is ok too! Attendees may want to bring a smock or 
wear something that they don't mind getting paint on.. acrylic paint is permanent and won't wash 
out! 
 
 
Photography for Soccer Moms/Dads 
Presenter: S​ tephen Miller, West Essex Regional School District 
Session: 1​ , 2, 3 
In this hour-long session, our goals are to introduce you to the basic functions of the DSLR camera. 
An emphasis will be placed on practical knowledge and functions. Items to be covered include 
camera shooting modes, image formats, picture styles, auto-focus, exposure compensation, drive 
modes, white balance, f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO. The goal is that this session will help you 
achieve better results in your own picture taking. Bringing your own DSLR camera is recommended, 
if you own one, but not required.  
 
Pickleball 
Presenter: G​ regory Aschoff, West Essex Regional School District 
Session(s): ​TBD 
Pickleball is a paddleball sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Two or 
four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, 
over a net. 
 
PiYo 
Presenter: J​ eannette Mackesy, West Essex Regional School District 
Session(s): ​TBD 
PiYo is functional fitness your body craves. Think of it as aerobic yoga. Upbeat and low-impact, PiYo 
moves to the vibing beat of music rather than the more soulful pace of the breath that we're used to 
seeing in a traditional Yoga or Pilates class. Participants may want a yoga mat or towel, but not 
required. 
 
PLYOGA 
Presenter: S​ tephanie Lauren, PLYOGA 
Session(s): ​TBD 
PLYOGA is a 4 part interval training system using the benefits of fundamental & accelerated yoga as 
an active recovery for plyometric (reactive) movement. 

 
Project Adventure/Team Building 
Presenters: G​ reg Ruggiero & Michelle Riker, West Essex Regional School District 
Session(s)​: 1​  
This session will invite participants to overcome individual challenges followed by partner and group 
team building exercises. All participants will be required to work together to complete compelling 
tasks such as creating a square with a long rope, Trolley walkers, and Human Treadmill Race. 
Comfortable or active clothing is recommended.  
 
Reiki   
Practitioner: P​ aula Arbadji, PT, West Essex Regional School District 
Sessions: ​1, 2, 3, 4 
Reiki is a Japanese relaxation technique that promotes stress reduction and relaxation. It is 
administered by a licensed Reiki practitioner and involves "laying on hands" in a gentle manner and 
is considered an energy technique which assists in balancing one's internal life force energy. Reiki is 
performed lying down, fully clothed in a comfortable relaxing environment. A Reiki treatment has 
been documented to feel like a wonderful glowing circle that flows through and around you creating 
feelings of peace and well being. It has been known to have added benefits of healing and improved 
sleep. 
 
Relaxation Yoga 
Instructor: ​Danielle Martucci, Good Vibes Yoga Bar 
Session: 4​  
This session is geared towards reiki meditation and elemental yin. Yin is a restorative practice to 
focus on being mentally grounded during times of stress.Yogi's will engage large muscle groups, 
joints, and work on facial relaxation. 
 
Restorative Yoga 
Instructor: ​Sarah Griffin, Good Vibes Yoga Bar 
Session: 1​  
This session is gentle and therapeutic, focusing on grounding your mind through supportive practice.  
 
Self-Defense Class 
Practitioner: C​ hristina ​?,​ Indigo Yoga/Fitness 1440 
Sessions: ​TBD 
Description TBD 
 
Self-Defense Seminar   
Practitioner: J​ ohnny Guerrero, Guerrero Martial Arts 
Sessions: ​4 

In this seminar you will learn tactical and realistic self-defense moves using the art of Brazilian 
Jiu-Jitsu. This will be a hands on course on exactly what to do in different attack situations. Brazilian 
Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art which was designed for a smaller, weaker person to defend themselves from 
a larger and stronger attacker. These systems are used by law enforcement because the person 
doing the defending can get away without marking or injuring it's attacker. Hence Jiu-Jitsu meaning 
"the gentle art". 
 
Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom 
Presenter: P​ atricia Heindel, Ph.D., and Maurice Elias, Ph.D., College of Saint Elizabeth 
Session: 2​  
After participating in this interactive workshop, teachers and staff will understand the relationship 
between teachers’ own social-emotional skills and health and student success. Be able to know the 
common four approaches of evidence-based SEL instruction and leave with examples of SEL 
curriculum and programs. Understand the effect of successful SEL instruction on the school and 
classroom climate. Identified what they are currently doing to create positive school and classroom 
climates and what teaching strategies that they are currently using that promote students’ SEL. 
 
Spice Up Your Winter: Warming Recipes to Calm Inflammation 
Presenters: L​ isa Boymann & Ashley Ricart, West Essex Regional School District 
Sessions:​ 3, 4  
The cold and dry winter weather can leave us feeling low on energy and depleted of essential 
nutrients and vitamins. In this cooking class, we will share flavorful recipes that help to soothe 
inflammation as we prepare satisfying vegan and gluten-free dishes. This class will be a 
combination of both instructor demonstration and hands-on cooking by the participants. Menu will 
be different from last year. 
 
Taxes Q&A 
Presenter: A​ ndrea Llauget, West Essex Regional School District 
Session: 2​  
This session will be open to everyone that is looking for guidance with filing their taxes. This will be 
an open forum to ask your questions and get accurate data to make sure your taxes are filed correctly 
and efficiently.  
 
Vinyasa Yoga   
Instructor: ​Danielle Purciello, CHES, RYT-200, West Essex Regional School District 
Sessions: ​1, 2 
This is an athletic energetic and free-flowing class that is challenging, yet approachable. If you want 
to build muscular strength, and balance - this is the class for you! Modifications are offered to serve 
the needs of all experience levels. Come with a water bottle, mat, and an open mind! Mats will be 
available the day of the workshop.  
 

Volleyball Tournament 
Instructor:​ Toni-Anne Cavallo & Bettina Plesnitzer, West Essex Regional School District 
Session: 4​  
Interested in some friendly competition? Finish Wellness Day participating in a Faculty Volleyball 
tournament. Teams will be drafted after registration. Playing for bragging rights. 
 
Weight Watchers Recipes 
Presenter: A​ manda Fernicola & Lauren Cherny, West Essex Regional School District 
Session: T​ BD 
This session would allow for teachers to work together to discuss how they’ve been successful on 
the program and to create a recipe book from each other's ideas. We could also see if someone from 
WW can come in during the last 10-20 minute to present information to the session. 
 
Yoga/Meditation 
Instructor: ​Steph Parcells, Indigo Yoga 
Sessions: ​TBD 
When you think of doing yoga, your first association might be with the physical practice: moving 
through the yoga poses and practising yoga breathing. Meditation is the act of focusing your mind is 
also part of a well-rounded yoga experience. 


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