• Halloween Safety Tips

• Benefits Corner

• Why Get Fit?

• Wellness Lab &
  Flu Shot Program

• Fitness Center Discounts
  for MISD Staff

• Water Aerobics

• Mammogram Screenings

Exercise is an important part of a lifetime of good health! There are many ways it can help you, both today and in the future.

• Help stop you from getting certain diseases in the future, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes
• Help you avoid obesity (Obesity puts you at risk of health problems today and in the future)
• Build muscles and make you stronger
• Boost your energy level and mood
• Make it easier for you to handle stress
• Help you to feel better about yourself
• Improve your flexibility so that you can move with ease
• Strengthen bones

The National Women's Health Information Center
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.4girls.gov/

The Annual MISD Employee Wellness Lab & Flu Shot Program will be offered to all district employees during September and October.  Medical professionals are scheduled to visit each campus and the administrative offices to serve all interested personnel.  The time and location of the Wellness Screening for your location will be posted at each district facility.  Be sure to sign up to receive this valuable service.

Blood will be drawn and screened for:

• Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (Chemistry 24) including CBC
• TSH
• Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA).

Flu shots will be administered (subject to availability of the vaccine).  All participants must fast for 12-14 hours (nothing to eat or drink, except water) prior to taking the blood test. Your insurance ID must be presented at the time of the screening and each employee will be responsible for the co-pay applicable for their insurance plan. Family members and friends may have the screening at regular cost.

Wellness...a way of life!

Water Aerobics

Mammogram Screenings

Mammogram Screenings scheduled for McAllen ISD employees.

September 26 through December 16, 2004

Location:
Rio Grande Imaging Center
101- B East Ridge Road
McAllen, TX 78501

Call Tonie for an appointment at 632-3275.

The Harry Potter Professor McGonagall hat looks magical on Katie, but the huge brim is blocking her vision. Johnny is quite the green ogre in his Shrek mask, but he can't see where he is going and has not even left the house. Halloween traditions such as costumes and trick-or-treat are as American as apple pie, but if proper precautions are not followed, eye injuries can occur. Prevent Blindness America (PBA) offers the following safety tips to help keep your child safe on Halloween:

Costumes / Safety

• Wear hypoallergenic make-up. Have an adult apply the make-up and remove it with cold cream instead of soap. Use make-up in place of masks.
• Avoid costumes with masks, wigs, floppy hats or eye patches that block vision.
• Tie hats and scarves securely so they won't slip over children's eyes.
• Avoid costumes that drag on the ground to prevent tripping or falling.
• Avoid pointed props such as spears, swords or wands that may harm other children's eyes.
• Wear bright, reflective clothing or decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape/patches.
• Carry a bright flashlight to improve visibility.
• Do not ride a bike/scooter/skateboard or roller blade while wearing a costume.
• Obey all traffic signals-pedestrian and driver.
• Inspect all trick-or-treat items for signs of tampering before allowing children to eat them.
• Carefully inspect any toys or novelty items received by kids age 3 and younger. These may pose a choking hazard. Avoid giving young kids lollipops as the sticks can cause eye injuries.

• Cosmetic contacts that make your eyes look like cat’s eyes may seem like fun, especially at Halloween. However, these lenses come with the same risks as regular contact lenses. This growing fad may seem harmless, but it is not!
• Improper use of cosmetic lenses can lead to serious eye complications. These problems include bacterial infections, swelling, eye pain, sensitivity to light, conjunctivitis (pink eye), corneal scratches, corneal ulceration, and even permanent loss of sight.
• Never buy cosmetic contacts without a prescription! Never share your cosmetic contacts with others or use someone else’s contacts.
• Since this fad is popular among teens, be vigilant about older kids’ appearance before letting them leave the house.

Treats

• Inspect all trick-or-treat items for signs of tampering before allowing children to eat them.
• Carefully inspect any toys or novelty items received by kids age 3 and younger. These may pose a choking hazard. Avoid giving young kids lolly-pops as the sticks can cause eye injuries.

Decorations

• Be sure your lawn, steps, porch and front door are well lit and free from obstacles.
• Keep candles and jack-o’-lanterns away from steps and porches outside, as costumes could brush against them and ignite. Inside, keep them away from curtains and other decorations to avoid causing a fire.

As recommended by Prevent Blindness America
500 E. Remington Road
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
http://www.preventblindness.org/news/releases/halloween_2004.html

Health/Dental Benefit Plan Changes

to be effective October 1, 2004

Mutual of Omaha will be the District’s new Health/Dental plan claims administrator.  Claims on or after October 1, 2004 need to be submitted to Mutual of Omaha within 90 days of service.  For services incurred on or before September 30, 2004, the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) will continue administering those claims.  TASB will not be paying any outstanding claims after December 31, 2004.  Claims need to be submitted within 90 days of service.

The new Pharmacy Benefit provider will be Express Scripts.  Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Services will be the new Employee Assistance Program Provider.

The LabONE Lab Card program will be discontinued.  Services at LabOne drawing sites will be subject to the applicable plan copay/deductible/coinsurance.      

Additional information will be provided to all staff over the next few weeks.   Temporary Health Identification cards were forwarded to your campus/site. 

Contact the Employee Benefits Office at 618-6007 for additional information.

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

Statistics prove regular exercise can help reduce, stress, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also improve circulation, weight management, muscle tone, self - esteem, and osteoporosis, so what are we waiting for, lets get started.

There are two fitness centers that give group discounts for MISD employees.

Have a great workout!