Wellness Center Announcements

Schedule an Appointment

Students can be seen at the Wellness Center by Ms. Gorecki, our Nurse Practitioner, and Ms. Seltzer or Ms. LaPonte, our Mental Health Counselors. To schedule an appointment, call 206-326-3037.

Upcoming Groups

Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) meet on Thursday twice a month. Students can sign up at the front desk in the Wellness Center, with Ms. Marcelene at medorianrich@seattleschools.org or with school counselors Ms. McKinney, Ms. Pan or Ms. Weber.   Groups led by Ms. Weber.

March is National Nutrition Month

It’s March, and that means National Nutrition Month!  Each year in March, the American Dietetic Association sponsors this annual nutrition campaign.  National Nutrition Month is designed to bring attention and public awareness to the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

This year’s theme is Fuel for the Future. It emphasizes eating with sustainability in mind. Below are some helpful tips to nourish yourself and care for the environment.

Eat with the environment in mind. Enjoy more plant-based meals or snacks, purchase foods with minimal packaging, buy foods in season and shop locally, when possible, start a container or backyard garden to grow food at home.

Stay nourished and save money:  Plan your meals and snacks, see what food you may have at home before purchasing more, use a grocery list

Focus on variety by eating a variety of foods from all the food groups:  Fruits and vegetables can be fresh, canned or frozen. Vary protein choices with more fish, beans and peas. Include at least three servings of whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice or pasta every day.

Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy into your diet with some of these tasty ideas:

• Try topping a pizza with peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, zucchini or pineapple
• Serve whole grain waffles, pancakes or French toast with fruits such as berries, apples or peaches
• Whip up a smoothie for breakfast or a snack using a variety of ingredients including low-fat milk, oat milk, soy or almond milk, frozen fruit and 100% juice
• Roll up roasted vegetables and low-fat cheese in a whole-grain tortilla for a healthy veggie wrap
• Top a baked potato with salsa, broccoli and low-fat cheese or beans
• Heat up a cup of tomato or vegetable soup for a quick snack
• Incorporate chopped or grated vegetables such as carrots, zucchini, or spinach into main dishes like lasagna or meatloaf
• Stock your fridge with fresh and ready to eat fruits and vegetables so you always have a quick and healthy snack or side dish on hand.

Covid-19 Q&A

“Ask Miss Rona” is a Q&A series started on Public Health’s Instagram to respond to community questions related in different topic areas of Covid-19. Questions come in from the public and are answered by subject matter experts in Public Health.

• Check out their Instagram at @kcpubhealth
• Public Health Insider website for more Miss Rona content
  • This blog is also available in Spanish

The Covid-19 booster and flu shot are available for free at the Wellness Center. If you are interested in your child getting the vaccine(s), a signed consent form needs to be completed by a parent/guardian(s). A Vaccine Consent form can be picked-up at the Wellness Center.

Sign-up for Sports Physicals

It’s time to get ready for spring sports — Co-ed Track, Boys Soccer and Girls Volleyball start in March.

Is your child interested in participating in spring sports? Sports are a wonderful way to help your child develop physical skills, get exercise, make friends, have fun, learn teamwork, learn to play fair, and improve self-esteem.

Did you know sports physicals can done at the Washington Wellness Center for registered students for free?  Sports physicals need to be scheduled at least 2 weeks prior to the start date of the sport, otherwise the physical may not be able to be completed in time for try-outs. Sports physicals are valid for 24 consecutive months.  

To access services, parents/guardian(s) need to complete a registration packet. Stop by the Wellness Center to get a registration packet or register online.

Access the Wellness Center Registration online consent forms

Please call 206-326-3037 if you have any questions and/or to schedule a sports physical.

Tryouts for Boys Soccer: March 21

Tryouts for Girls Volleyball: March 20

No tryouts for Co-ed Track. It is a NO cut sport. Practice starts on March 17

To find out more information about representing Washington Middle School on the court, the field, or the Park – please visit the Washington Middle School website Athletics page or contact the Athletics Coordinator:  Tom Townsend at tmtownsend@seattleschools.org

Wellness Center Staff

Jean Gorecki – Nurse Practitioner

Stephanie Nash – School Nurse

Julie Seltzer – Mental Health Counselor

Sierra LaPonte – School Based Counselor

Marcelene Dorian-Richardson – Health Educator