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May 13, 2020

In This Issue:
  • Ryan's Weekly Tech Tip
  • A Musical Surprise
  • Mask Information to Stay Healthy
  • Keep Them Coming!
  • The Powerful Cognitive Effects of Storytelling
  • Alumni Success Story: Deb Meierhofer
  • Weekly Funny
Need to Know
Ryan's Weekly Tech Tip 

Sweep in Outlook allows users to automate the organization of their email's inbox.  
A Musical Surprise

Apollo band students surprised their band director with an outdoor performance at his house.
Mask Information to Stay Healthy



The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). The CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. If you are not having any symptoms and are going out in public, wearing a cloth face covering will help you from spreading any infection.

Learn more about the proper way to wear a mask, dos and don'ts, and other important things to remember. 
Keep Them Coming! 



We love to receive staff photos and videos of the great work everyone is doing during these challenging times. Please keep in mind to model appropriate social distancing (no close group shots) so that we can share them through our website and social media posts. (Photos and videos can be sent to communications@isd742.org.)

Thanks for all you do!
The Happiness Advantage
The Powerful Cognitive Effects of Storytelling

The art of storytelling has long been a respected skill and an important tradition in many cultures. Over the course of history, community elders and their stories have been regarded as a treasure trove of society's knowledge, history, and wisdom. Older members of a community were encouraged to share their stories with younger generations, keeping the oral tradition alive.

Today, medical and social science researchers are interested in more than just the importance of storytelling as a means of teaching and entertaining, but also cognitive health.

The Effects of Storytelling on Brain Health

There have been studies that have looked at the ability to tell compelling stories as something that may have provided some survival advantage in human evolution. There have been others that have looked at the psychological and therapeutic effects of storytelling.

Perhaps most interesting in the world of longevity research, however, is the growing number of people with dementia who are benefiting from participating in group-based community storytelling, or reminiscence therapy, which is also used in treating other mental health concerns like depression. Continue reading.
The Blog Spot
Alumni Success Story: Deb Meierhofer

Deb Meierhofer, 1980 Tech High School graduate, has a unique view of healthcare right now working at the St. Cloud Hospital as an exercise physiologist. She is screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms when she reports to work and is still getting used to the new normal of working in healthcare.

Upon arriving at work she gets a temperature screen, a sticker to wear to say she’s been screened and a mask to wear for the day. She describes the hospital as an eerie place without the normal bustle of patients and visitors. Normally, she’ll walk out of her department, and without fail, have to give someone directions. Now, the hallways are bare.

As an exercise physiologist, she doesn’t see herself as “working the front line” like nurses and doctors right now even though her work is vital to immunocompromised patients. She just feels she is doing her job and her part.

An exercise physiologist is someone who measures a patient’s fitness to improve their health or maintain good health. Their patients are often those with heart disease or other conditions, like diabetes or lung diseases.

“I actually feel guilty,” explains Meierhofer, “when I take walks during my lunch breaks in my scrubs and people walk by and say, ‘Thank you. Thank you for being a healthcare worker.'”

Meierhofer knew early on she wanted to be in healthcare. The road to becoming an exercise physiologist was not a direct one. Continue reading.
Help us get the word out about all the great things (virtually) happening in our schools! We want to showcase events and stories visually through as many forms of media as possible. Use this form to submit 742 news, story suggestions or upcoming events. 
Odds n Ends
Weekly Funny
Do you have information or an idea for an upcoming issue of The Notebook?
Contact Communications@isd742.org.

This publication comes to you from the office of
Community Engagement and Communications at St. Cloud Area School District 742.




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St. Cloud Area School District 742 · 1201 S. Second St. · Waite Park, MN 56387 · USA