The sourdough bread class was a popular option among JSD employees. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

For the fifth year, Jordan School District held a Health and Wellness Day the first Friday in February to give students and employees a day to prioritize personal wellness. Schools were closed and no official assignments were given but the district provided a list of suggested activities.

Students were encouraged to focus on sleep, being active, getting sunlight and doing relaxing activities. Employees were invited to participate in optional wellness activities. Each year, more discounts and activities are added, ranging from free Swig drinks, to Zumba classes and art lessons, to BBQ demos, crafting, games and more. This year there were more than 50 activities for employees to do, including a session at Top Golf.

Cookies decorated by JSD Human Resources employee Kim Brown in a Health and Wellness Day class. (Photo courtesy Kim Brown)

“I look forward to this day every year,” Kristen Jepson said. She and a group of her colleagues from Kauri Sue Hamilton School took a sourdough bread class and enjoyed a wellness therapy session at Ahhhsome Relaxation. 

Kallie Timothy, who works with students with special needs, said the opportunity to focus on self-care and wellness awareness helps employees de-stress and recharge, but the benefits ultimately extend to the students. “This helps us refresh so that we can help our students,” she said.

That was the goal for Health and Wellness Day, JSD Board Member Darrell Robinson said. After 40 years of teaching, he understands educators need a boost about this time in the school year. “February is always the hardest month to get through,” he said. While this has not been a normal snowy, dreary winter, JSD employees still appreciated the gesture.

JSD employees play together at Top Golf on Health and Wellness Day. (Photo courtesy Doug Flagler/JSD)

“I really love working for Jordan School District because I know that they care about me as an employee, even though I'm just a staff,” KSHS staff member Tracy Mitchell said. “I feel like I'm cared about and that I matter, and it makes me feel like this is a place I want to work because they provide opportunities like this for us.”

Employees from all levels within the district participated, including full-time teachers, part-time staff, and employees from the district offices, transportation, nutrition services, etc. Some of the activities got people out of their comfort zones and learning new things such as cookie decorating, fly tying, junk journaling and laughter yoga. Others were focused on opportunities to socialize through quilting, hiking, golfing, crafting and role playing games.

A class in fly tying was one of the many activities for JSD Health and Wellness Day. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

The wellness activities gave educators an opportunity to strengthen relationships outside of work and many attended activities with colleagues. Several elementary school cafeteria workers took a line dancing class for a fun team-building experience. A group of elementary school staff members took a class together to learn how to make a salt scrub.

“Just being together, that is what has brought us wellness,” Liz Christensen said.

 Her Riverton Elementary School co-worker, Kira Frischknecht, was impressed with the number and variety of wellness activities provided. “It’s cool that the district cares about our wellness this much,” she said.

JSD employees learn tricks of the grill. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Megan Napaepae said after taking some classes together, she and her friends planned to make sure their kids got some benefit from Health and Wellness Day, too. “We’re going to go make our kids go outside-- for their wellness,” she said.

Some employees chose to skip the optional employee-only activities and instead used the Wellness Day discounts to take their kids to the bowling alley, escape room, fun center or Stars basketball game.