• Recognizing a Stroke

• National Blood Donor Month

• Working on Wellness

• National WEAR RED Day

• Spotlight in Wellness

• Benefits Corner

• Employee Assistance Program

• Safety Tip!

• Ballroom Dancing Lessons

• Water Aerobics

National Blood Donor Month

Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness. January, in particular, is a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood donations. A reduction in turnout can put our nation’s blood inventory at a critical low.

Every day in our country, approximately 38,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities for patients with cancer and other diseases, for organ transplant recipients, and to help save the lives of accident victims. Our goal is to help ensure that blood is available to patients whenever and wherever it is needed because it is the blood on the shelves that helps saves lives.

If you are at least 17 years of age (some states permit younger people to donate with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and meet other donor requirements, you may be eligible to donate blood. Celebrate NBDM with AABB by donating blood and encouraging others to do so as well.

http://www.aabb.org/Pressroom/NBDM/main.htm

Copyright © 2005 AABB. All Rights Reserved.

National WEAR RED Day

Every year, heart disease takes the lives of more women than men—but most people do not know this. You can help raise awareness that women are at risk and need to take action to stay “heart healthy” by participating in National WEAR RED Day. The American Heart Association is asking each of us to contribute $5 to support vital research and education efforts during the week of January 31st and to wear red on Friday, February 3rd, 2006. Look for information at each campus and district office. GO RED, let your heart shine…and help save women’s lives!

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/wrd/

Teen Driving

The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. The National Safety Council is on a mission to inform parents of teen drivers that they can beat the odds and keep teen drivers alive.

For information on how to help a teenager you know to drive safer, visit http://www.nsc.org/issues/teendriving/ .
 

Ballroom Dancing Lessons

Great Fun, Great Exercise!

Who may participate: MISD employees only 

Cost: It’s FREE!!! 

Site: Wilson Elementary School Gymnasium, 1200 Hackberry

Session I: Mondays, January 16 – February 20, 7--8:30 p.m. 

Call Tonie at 632-3275 to sign-up.  

Water Aerobics

Wellness...a way of life!

If one of your loved ones or a colleague was having a stroke, would you be able to recognize the warning signs? We are in the business of education, so as we begin a new year, let’s learn a new skill –one which might save a life. Read and Learn!

There are many wonderful new drugs available to treat heart attacks and stroke nowadays; however, the key to their effectiveness is whether they are given in time (within three hours). Our ability to recognize when someone needs to go to the Emergency Room can mean the difference between life and death, or between a life of good quality and permanent paralysis/loss of speech, etc. 

Ask the following questions immediately to the person who is weak, loses consciousness, seems confused, has visual disturbances or problems with walking or balance:

• Ask the individual to SMILE.

• Ask the individual to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

• Ask the individual to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE - COHERENTLY (i.e. It is sunny out today.)

If the individual has trouble with any of these tasks (smile droops to one side, cannot raise one arm, cannot speak a coherent sentence, CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY AND DESCRIBE THE SYMPTOMS TO THE DISPATCHER. Remember that the number one reaction of the victim will be DENIAL. Do not allow this to prevent you from making the call. It is far better to be safe than sorry.

After discovering that non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting. The public is urged to learn the three questions. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of stroke and prevent brain damage.

Article by Sharon B. Wilkes, RN, MA, CPS, CCS, Coordinator, Prevention Services

Wellness on Wednesday Sessions, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.  All sessions held at MISD Staff Development Center, 1009 N. 10th Street.

Wellness on Wednesday Sessions, 12:00 Noon – 1:00 P.M.  All sessions held at MISD Board Room, 2000 N. 23rd Street.

Staff development sessions for time equivalency regarding Wellness topics are now posted on the ERO (Look under Wellness).

Have you seen Elva DeLeon lately? Students and staff at Thigpen Elementary School have a “Wellness Model” as their principal this year.  I had not seen Elva for some time, and when I saw her at a meeting not long ago, she looked wonderful, actually younger!

Elva DeLeon has served McAllen ISD for twenty-five years. About one year ago (November, 2004), she made a commitment to wellness. She began to count calories and limited herself to 1200 per day. She has lost three dress sizes and it is amazing how many years this has taken off her appearance.  She walks for exercise when able. When asked if she feels as good as she looks, she says she feels less tired at the end of a busy day, so her energy level has been enhanced.

Congratulations Elva! You are not only in the spotlight at your campus, you are an inspiration to all of us as we begin a new year.

Sharon B. Wilkes, RN, MA, CPS, CCS, Coordinator, Prevention Services

HEALTH/DENTAL CLAIMS QUESTIONS?

American Administrative Group (AAG) Customer Service may be contacted at 1-866-471-6047.  An AAG representative will also be available monthly at the Human Resources Building beginning in January 2006 to provide assistance with unresolved claims.  A schedule will be provided to your campus/department for distribution/posting as soon as it is finalized.  Monthly email reminders will also be provided from the Employee Benefits Office. 

Claims incurred on or after October 1, 2005 should be submitted to the address on the back of your new AAG card within three (3) months following the incurred date for service or supply for which the claim is being made. 

Mutual of Omaha should be contacted for questions with any health and dental claims incurred between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005.  Contact Mutual of Omaha Customer Service at 1-888-225-0046.  

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

The District has workers’ compensation coverage to protect you in the event of a work related injury or illness. 

The District, through a self-funded program administered by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), will pay for the medical treatment for a compensable injury or illness if the injury occurred at work or the disease or illness is job-related.  It will also replace some lost wages if the injury or illness caused the worker to lose some or all income for more than seven days. 

Employee should notify the campus principal or direct supervisor of the job related injury or illness within 24 hours to initiate the claims process.  All campus/departments also have a primary point of contact (Safety Contact) familiar with the reporting and other procedures related to a work related injury that will need to be notified timely.  If an employee does not report the injury or illness within 30 days of the date on which the injury occurs or the date the employee knew or should have known of an illness, the employee could lose their rights to benefits.  For more information log on to http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/  or refer to Worker Rights and Responsibilities Fact Sheet at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/information/fs/injured_worker_r&r.pdf.   

Visit the MISD Employee Benefits Department web site for up-to-date benefit forms and information.

Mr. Andres Silva is the Director of Employee Benefits/Risk Management