Employee Wellness Fall Fair
September 15, 2022
SAN DIEGO - Health screenings, cooking demonstrations, financial wellness workshops, mindfulness activities… and we’re not describing a weekend retreat.
These programs and more were offered to San Diego Unified School District employees at the district’s Employee Wellness Fall Fair, held at the Eugene Brucker Education Center on September 14, 2022.
The event, attended by more than 600 educators, administrators, central office workers and school support staff, was designed to provide district employees with an engaging and relaxing break, while also reminding them to check in with themselves – to keep their wellness as a priority – and actually sharing the tools to do so.
San Diego Unified cares about the health and wellbeing of all students, staff and families. Physical, mental and social wellness is an important focus in the district’s work. When we provide the tools and resources to help our staff thrive, they can then provide the education and support for our students to thrive.
Featuring more than 60 community health partners, employee bargaining units, local vendors and sponsors, the event showcased the many health and wellness programs available to district employees year-round.
Staff had the opportunity to receive free flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, biometric screenings for glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI, as well as bone density screenings and body fat analysis – coordinated by the district’s health insurance carriers United Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente.
The district’s health insurance broker, California Schools Voluntary Employee Benefits Association (VEBA), hosted cooking demonstrations and provided free samples.
Employees could receive financial wellness tips in mini-workshops hosted by district sponsor Cal Coast Credit Union.
Other highlights from the day were the plant-based food trucks and lifestyle vendors, offering anything from hand made macrame and potted plants, to Comfort Cubs, kombucha, and classroom supplies.
Prize donations from more than 150 local businesses made for an exciting opportunity drawing, where employees could receive gift cards to their favorite restaurants, spa packages, and even resort-hotel stays.
Event goers could also take a moment to practice calming techniques with kindness rock painting, essential oil aromatherapy mixing, gratitude displays and other mindfulness activities.
The employee wellness sub-committee of the district's wellness council, which put on the event in partnership with the Office of the Superintendent, Human Resources, and Operations Division, plans to host another large-scale wellness fair in the spring. However, the real goal is to have employees utilize the available wellness programs and supports throughout the year, not just on event days. San Diego Unified employees can visit the staff wellness website to learn more.
RELATED LINK: Photos from the event