If you’ve been following Tillamook County Wellness this year, there’s a good chance that you heard about our “This Way to Well-Being” map activity that we’ve been sharing the last few months. This map stemmed from many discussions of wanting to create something fun and engaging that highlights a broader range of wellness – where the focus is not just on benefiting our physical health, but also our mental and emotional health. (And as an extra bonus, we handed out prizes such as Hydro Flasks, county / state parks passes, fair tickets, and local business certificates to randomly selected participants!)
We created this map of local activities with no set starting point or finish line based on the idea that there is no “right” path to wellness. We all have different interests that motivate us (as well as different challenges that may create barriers) so this map was created to serve as a guide for ideas when thinking about what we find exciting and what we might want to try here in Tillamook County. The “This Way to Well-Being” map included local ideas for enjoying the outdoors, connecting with friends and family, trying new foods, prioritizing your mental health, and more. You can view the map here on the Tillamook County Wellness website.
But we also wanted to hear from participants about what we might be missing – What did you enjoy? And what should we add? The survey responses we received were thoughtful and energizing. Here are a few suggestions that we received about what could be added to the map:
“Create art”
“Start recycling / composting”
“Practice meditation”
“I’d like more ways to meet like-minded people. Perhaps something like sharing a meal with a new friend.”
“Maybe something about sleep, laughter, mental health?”
“Yoga practice. Fostering homeless animals for United Paws or adopting a cat or dog from the Tillamook Animal Shelter”
Not only do we want to thank our participants for their excitement and engagement, but also our community partners who helped spread the word about the “This Way to Well-Being” map. This wouldn’t have reached nearly as many people without the support of the Tillamook Family YMCA, Food Roots, Tillamook County Community Health Center, North Coast Recreation District, Rinehart Clinic, Tillamook Bay Community College, Tillamook Library branches, Tillamook Food Pantries, Kiawanda Community Center, and local worksites. These organizations shared our printed maps with community members and helped distribute prizes to those who were taking steps to prioritize their health. (For example, the picture with this article shows YMCA instructors Kelly Benson and Sarah Patterson awarding one of the prizes to Megan, a new YMCA member!)
Although we’re wrapping up our printed map and prize distribution at the end of October, we are planning on keeping the map up on our webpage and adding a section about the suggestions we received in the survey. We hope it can continue to be used by anyone in Tillamook County who is looking for a little inspiration in starting up their own journey towards a happier, healthier life.
Area schools are integrating health and wellness in innovative ways. Nestucca School District is doing this through a science-based, school nutrition curriculum and on-site garden.They also recently received a grant for a school-based health clinic and are expanding outdoor play areas with bike paths and a bike skills park that will also be open to the public.
Tillamook County Wellness interviewed Nestucca School District Superintendent, Misty Wharton and K-8, CTE and Community Resource Specialist, Rachel Pettit, to learn more about their unique approach to whole-student learning.
Science & Nutrition Curriculum
With a full-time garden coordinator and K-5 science teacher, students experience hands-on education every day with a focus on agriculture, not only learning where their food comes from but also growing that food themselves. According to program coordinator Rachel Pettit, “Kids love the school garden and anything that takes them outdoors to learn.” Using art, journaling and scientific inquiry, students are developing critical thinking skills and enjoying the process of learning and discovery. Rachel notes that, during the year and over summer school, students were able to dig deep and build their observation and communication skills. “Now some of those students are asking incredible questions,” she stated.
In addition to the school garden, the science curriculum includes an outdoor classroom and wellness trail with native plants. Misty Wharton explains that the curriculum design means students are always learning, “Every environment is a learning environment, not just the classroom.” Wharton emphasizes the importance of students getting a well-rounded perception of their world. Through this approach, they become more aware of larger ecosystems and how to be good stewards within them. She goes on to say, “I always hope it ignites their curiosity about the world, maybe gives insight into career paths they hadn’t thought of before,” noting that students often aren’t aware of careers beyond becoming a teacher, police officer or firefighter.
Since September 1st, they have harvested 357 pounds of school garden produce that has gone to the cafeteria, including 80 pounds of potatoes harvested by classroom students and later enjoyed in breakfast burritos. Both Pettit and Wharton agree that students are having fun. They also note that, by growing the food themselves, students are willing to try foods they otherwise would not be willing to try. The school garden was relocated during recent renovations and with the garden gate now next to the school playground, students regularly visit and check on their garden.
Raising a garden takes a lot of time and attention. Rachel manages the garden, working year-round except for a break in January. This spring, she worked with a middle school class (Intro to Agriculture elective course) where the students came in one day a week, helped grow all of the transplants in the garden, and got to take extras home at the end of the school year. Rachel maintains the garden in the summer and works with kids to plant and harvest during the 4-week summer school program. “What I think is really exciting,” says Rachel, “is when kids are asking me what is growing in the garden and then help me harvest some cucumbers, and then I see the same kids in the cafeteria later that day and they’ve got a cup of cucumber slices off the salad bar, crunching away, talking about how beautiful the garden is.”
It was also noted that, even though we live in such an agricultural and naturally beautiful place, a lot of local students are not getting out and exploring the natural world. Many students don’t have easy access to these experiences and so having that on the school grounds and part of daily teaching reduces barriers and introduces students to new activities, skills and interests.
Outdoor Play & Physical Activity
In addition to the outdoor classroom environments, Nestucca School District has made significant investments in outdoor play areas. In the same way that nutrition is built into the science curricula, physical fitness is incorporated through activities kids can enjoy in and out of school. When asked why such a focus has been placed on creating outdoor movement opportunities, Misty says, “I grew up in this community, and there’s not a lot of structured environments for kids to play in a safe, healthy way. There was no existing playground that served the entire community before this one.” The new playground is open to the public, where kids can come after school, on the weekends, and in the summertime with their families. Going beyond the traditional school playground, they have had a bike skills park engineered and are fundraising to expand that project. According to Misty, “There’s no safe place for kids to ride their bike in this community, I was always shocked by how many kids didn’t have a bicycle.”
To change that, Nestucca is launching a fully-funded “All Kids Bike” project, part of a national PE curriculum where schools are awarded a fleet of bicycles for Pre-K and Kindergartener students. In addition to learning basic skills and safety precautions, the curriculum supports learning readiness in that bike riding strengthens the systems of the brain used in reading and writing. “So, we’re constructing a skills park, called a bicycle playground, and then on top of that, also using a large chunk of the acreage to develop mountain biking trails,” says Misty. “There’s a lot of excitement around it because it’s something people can do their entire lives.” The project has a lot of community support, including from the Tillamook Off-Road Trail Alliance (TORTA) which raised $11,000 for the project at a recent fundraiser. “As an adult, I’m excited for the skills park and mountain bike trails,” said Rachel, who went on to say, “I was an avid bicyclist before I moved to Tillamook and I don’t think I’ve ridden my bike in the almost 6 years I’ve lived here because the roads and highways aren’t safe. And I’m excited to learn how to mountain bike which I’ve never done before.”
The bicycle playground and trail system is a phased project. They will be seeking grants and people can also donate funds at the Nestucca k8 building (36925 hwy 101 s Cloverdale) or by calling 503 392 3194 ext 401.
Student Health & Well-Being
Increasing access to healthy habits at school is wonderful; however, according to local data, many students still struggle with getting enough sleep, managing screen time and overall mental health. The district was recently awarded a grant for a school-based health clinic, which helps to reduce transportation and other barriers to receiving timely care.
They conducted listening sessions last year and are incorporating that feedback into new programs. Misty goes on to say that they want to increase access to drama, theatre and dance, noting it is an area of opportunity to meet student interests.
Misty notes, “Coming out of covid, it’s been super important to get students involved outside of the school day. So, right now for our elementary aged kids, we’re offering two nights of soccer & two nights of flag football. We’re seeing vast increase in participation in the middle and high schools in activities and sports and part of that is we’ve done such an upgrade to our facilities. We have really nice places for the kids to play, they’re proud of it, they’re glad that they’re participating.”
AUTHOR: Michelle Jenck, Adventist Health Tillamook Director of Community Well-Being
½ teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons basil
¼ teaspoon sage
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
1 cup pasta sauce
Directions:
Wash hands with soap and water.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and place each on a baking sheet to cool.
In a medium bowl, stir together ricotta, pumpkin, spices and all but 1 Tablespoon of the cheese. Reserve the 1 Tablespoon cheese for topping.
Spread pasta sauce in the bottom of a baking dish that holds all the shells in a single layer. Fill each shell with about 3 Tablespoons of pumpkin mixture and place shells close together on top of the sauce.
Cover pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for 15 minutes more.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes:
Freeze unused pumpkin and add to soup, chili or pancake recipes.
Making a plan to get vaccinated as soon as possible is the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia, which could be even more important this year as we approach winter.
Data from the CDC shows that COVID-19 safety precautions have helped to keep individuals safe from the flu for the last two years, but that also means our natural immunity to the influenza virus has waned. To make predictions about our upcoming flu season, scientists use evidence about flu rates and severity from flu cases in Australia as they experience their winter when we are in summer. This year, Australia has experienced a rise in flu cases during their winter season and experts anticipate the United States will follow suit.
In addition, research has shown that immunity from COVID-19 vaccines (and COVID-19 infections) decline over time, and therefore it is important to get a booster dose to remain protected from COVID-19. The updated bivalent COVID-19 booster protects against the original strain of the virus that causes COVID-19 along with the subvariant Omicron, including BA.4 and BA.5. Health experts predict an increase in COVID-19 cases through November as we move into the winter months.
To help keep yourself and your community safe, Tillamook County Public Health strongly recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot and anyone 5 years and older get a bivalent booster as soon as possible. It’s safe (and convenient!) to receive the flu vaccine at the same time you receive your COVID-19 vaccination or booster.
Immunizations such as flu and pneumonia are covered benefits for many insurance plans, including Medicare and Oregon Health Plan (OHP). COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost. Please bring your insurance card and COVID-19 vaccine card, if available, when you plan to receive your immunizations.
You can schedule an appointment at any health clinic or pharmacy in Tillamook County for a flu or COVID-19 bivalent booster. You can also drop-by one of the upcoming walk-in COVID-19 and flu clinics this month and next month hosted by Tillamook County Community Health Centers. See the schedule below:
Central County Location: Tillamook County Fairgrounds Convention Center at 4630 3rd St, Tillamook
Saturday, October 29th from 10 am to 2 pm
Monday, November 7th from 10 am to 6 pm
Tuesday, November 8th from 10 am to 6 pm
South County Location: Nestucca Valley K-8 school in the small gym at 36925 U.S. 101 S, Cloverdale
