VCS Employee Wellness

05/06/2026

💙 Wellness Wednesday | Teacher Appreciation Week 🍎
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Today, we’re taking a moment to celebrate YOU—the heart of our schools. Your dedication, compassion, creativity, and resilience make a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike, often in ways that go unseen.
💬 “The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’” — Maria Montessori
🌼 Wellness Reminder: You give so much to others—today, give a little back to yourself.
• Take a few deep breaths
• Step outside for fresh air
• Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea without rushing
• Remember: rest is productive, too
Thank you for showing up every day with care, patience, and passion. VCS Employee Wellness is grateful for all that you do—this week and always! 💙✨

05/05/2026

The Force was strong yesterday…
Today the tacos are stronger 🌮😄
Wellness tip for today: Enjoy the celebration and support your energy—drink extra water, add some veggies or fruit to your plate, and sneak in a short walk or stretch when you can. Balance is the real win!

05/04/2026

🍎 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🍎

From inspiring young minds to showing up every day with patience, passion, and heart—our teachers make a difference far beyond the classroom.

💙 VCS Employee Wellness proudly celebrates all that you do to support our students, schools, and community. Thank you for your dedication, resilience, and care.

05/01/2026

💙🍎 Happy Principal Appreciation Day! 🍎💙

Today, VCS Employee Wellness celebrates our incredible principals who lead with dedication, heart, and an unwavering commitment to students and staff. Thank you for all you do to support your schools, your teams, and our VCS community—today and every day!

04/29/2026

🌟 Wellness Wednesday – World Wish Day 🌟

Today we celebrate World Wish Day, the founding anniversary of the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation.

This day reminds us that hope, kindness, and compassion are powerful wellness tools—not just for the children and families they serve, but for all of us.

Take a moment today to reflect on a wish you have for yourself or someone else, and consider how one small act of kindness can make a big difference. 💙✨

04/22/2026

🌿✨ Wellness Wednesday meets Earth Day ✨🌿

Today is the perfect reminder that caring for ourselves and caring for our planet go hand in hand. Take a moment to step outside, breathe in some fresh air, soak up the sunshine, and appreciate the beauty around you. 🌎💚

Whether it’s a quick walk, planting something new, staying hydrated, or simply unplugging for a bit—small actions make a big impact on your wellness and our Earth.

🌱 Move your body
🌱 Nourish your mind
🌱 Protect our planet

How are you celebrating Wellness Wednesday and Earth Day today? 🌼

04/16/2026

04/15/2026

💚 Wellness Wednesday | Tax Day 💚
Today can bring added stress with deadlines and financial questions—but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Remember that Volusia County Schools offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that can help with financial questions, budgeting support, and other life concerns. It’s a free and confidential resource available to you and your household.
Along with checking off those to‑dos today, take a moment to care for your well‑being:
✅ Pause and breathe
✅ Take a short walk
✅ Hydrate
✅ Reach out for support when needed
Your wellness matters—especially on busy days like today. 💚

04/10/2026

🎉 That’s a wrap on the Spring VCS Step‑Up Challenge! 🎉
From March 11 – April 8, 65 participants stepped up, stayed motivated, and made movement a priority. What an incredible display of commitment across our VCS community—let’s celebrate our winners! 👏

🏆 Top 3 Overall Finishers — Total Steps
Distance Powerhouses! 💪
These participants logged the highest cumulative step totals across the entire challenge:
🥇 Jackie Wellmaker — 860,772 steps
🥈 Daryl Rohr — 717,915 steps
🥉 Denise Claiborne — 648,514 steps
✅ True endurance champions with consistent, high daily movement from start to finish!

📈 Top 3 Most Improved — Percentage Increase
Growth really does matter! 🌱
These steppers showed the greatest improvement from start to finish:
🥇 Amy Scott — +177%
🥈 Melissa Brown — +90%
🥉 Pam Stein — +70%
✅ This category celebrates effort, habit change, and momentum—huge wins at any starting point!

🧘‍♀️ Consistency Champion 🧘‍♀️
✨ Dixie Larsen ✨
• Average daily steps: 2,624
• Lowest day‑to‑day variance of all participants
Proof that consistency—not extremes—builds long‑term wellness success. Quietly steady and incredibly committed! 🌟

👏 Thank you to all 65 participants who made this challenge such a success—every step counted! Be on the lookout for the next Step Challenge! 📬🏅💙🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Send a message to learn more

04/08/2026

🌧️ Wellness Wednesday 🌧️
Rainy days are nature’s reminder to slow down.
Sip something warm ☕ • Take a deep breath 🌿 • Give yourself grace 💙
A little calm goes a long way today.

04/03/2026

🎨 Artful Relaxation After School 🎨
River Springs Middle School staff enjoyed a guided painting event after school—taking time to unwind, create, and relax through art. 💙
This wellness activity was all about slowing down, expressing creativity, and practicing mindful self care after a busy school day.
A perfect reminder that wellness can be colorful, calming, and fun!

Jamie M. Haynes, School Board Member District 1, Volusia County Schools
Volusia County Schools
VCS River Springs Middle School