YMCA of the Fox Cities 

EMPLOYEE E-NEWSLETTER

Fox West YMCA

November 2014

Hours of Operation


Fall Building Hours
Monday - Friday - 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday - 5:45 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday - 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

 

Kids Corner

Monday - Friday - 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday - Thursday - 4:00 - 7:15 PM
Saturday - 8:00-11:00 AM (September - May)
Sunday - CLOSED

 
WINTER 1 (15WIN1) (JANUARY 5 - FEBRUARY 22, 2015)
  • YMCA Member Registration Begins - Monday, December 15, 2014 at 6:00 AM
  • Silver Sneaker Registration Begins - Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 6:00 AM
  • General Public Registration Begins - Friday, January 2, 2015 at 6:00 AM
    Click HERE to register

From the Desk of
Brenda Johnson
FWY Executive Director

 

Giving thanks is one of the most powerful ways to increase our sense of well-being. Gratitude shifts our focus from what might be lacking in our life to the abundance that is already present. Here are a few quotes to help keep you focused on all the good that is present in your life, and everything that you have to be thankful for, this upcoming holiday season.

  

"At times our own light goes out and it is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lit the flame within us." - Albert Schweitzer

 

"Let us be grateful for people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust


 
"You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink." - G. K. Chesterton

 

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein


 
"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." - William Arthur Ward


 
And I will leave you with this quote, which I think sums it all up quite nicely...


 
"You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you." - Sarah Ban Breathnach


 
Thank you for the many ways you touch, and enrich, the lives of those that call our Y "my second home."

 

May you be surrounded by all that you are grateful for this Thanksgiving!

 

Yours in Service,

 

Brenda

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND MISSION WEEK

We will celebrate Character Development and Mission Week December 8-13. During this week we will highlight our core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. Our Character Development program strengthens the YMCA's ability to deliver our mission.

Although our Character Development initiative is ongoing, we take opportunities throughout the year to increase awareness for those who may not be familiar with our values and what they mean to us.

 

 We encourage all employees to participate in Character Development Week by following the schedule below. Please take a moment to talk about our core values at the beginning and/or end of your classes and programs this week.

 

Wear PURPLE on Monday, December 8

Wear RED on Tuesday, December 9

Wear BLUE on Wednesday, December 10

Wear ORANGE on Thursday, December 11

Wear GREEN on Friday, December 12

Thank you for your support and participation.

Featuring: The Fox West YMCA's Aquatics Program

All Aquatics All Day

 

 Did you know that Aquatics Department at the Fox West YMCA has much more than swim lessons for kids? Since opening in January 2009 the Fox West YMCA aquatics department has been a leader in innovative aquatics programming in the Fox Valley.

Did you know?

  • We established a Sensory Swim lessons program geared toward children with autism that is now being modeled in other YMCA's around the state.
  • We created outreach programs to introduce Latino children and families to water safety.
  • We put an average of 2,000 kids in swimming lessons per year. That's almost as many kids as there are residents in Hortonville!
  • We have a staff of approximately 25 individuals, ranging in age from 16 to 50.
  • That many adults that sign up for swim lessons have never learned to swim before or are very fearful of the water when they first begin lessons.
  • That Paul Bady, the Aquatic Director at Fox West also serves as the YMCA State Aquatic Network Coordinator for the State of Wisconsin.

Trivia:

  1. The maximum depth of the Ogilvie Family pool is:
    a. 8'b. 6'c. 7'6"d. 5'6"
  2. The length of the Ogilvie Family Pool is:
    a. 25 metersb. 25 yardsc. 50 yardsd. 50 meters
  3. Which of the following is NOT a component of YMCA swim lessons? 
    a. Stroke Development
     
    b. Personal Growth
     
    c. Endurance
     
    d. Core Values
     
  4. What is the highest number of kids the Fox West YMCA has had in one swimming lessons session?  
    a. 431b. 322 c. 398 d. 521 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Pumpkin Splash

On Friday, October 24, the Fox West YMCA hosted a Pumpkin Splash, where over 70 kids played and swam, and were treated to caramel apples and apple cider. The children also enjoyed Aqua Zumba led by Jen Baum. Kids had fun picking a pumpkin out of the pool, with an opportunity to win prizes for finding a dotted pumpkin.
 
 

November Employee Wellness

November is diabetes awareness month. Here are just a few of the recent statistics on diabetes:
  • Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
  • Another 86 million Americans have pre-diabetes - a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.
  • The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion.

Handouts about diabetes, pre-diabetes, and carb counting are available in the employee wellness bins located in each department.

YMCA Events: An Opportunity to Participate or Volunteer

On October 25, many of your fellow Fox West team members, as well as staff from throughout the Association, participated in the Appleton YMCA's Freaky 5K Fun Run, held at Pierce Park. Check out some of their awesome costumes:
 
 
 
 



























Your next opportunity to participate or volunteer at a YMCA event is the 7th Annual Festival Foods Turkey Trot, on the morning of Thanksgiving Day. All proceeds from this event, which draws over 6,000 participants, benefit the YMCA of the Fox Cities and The Boys & Girls Club.

IF YOU'RE IN THE MOOD TO RUN THAT DAY...
Employees of the YMCA of the Fox Cities, and family members living within their households, can receive a $2.50 registration fee discount for the Festival Foods Turkey Trot. If you have a ymcafoxcities.org email address you can click on "Request Promo Code" on the Turkey Trot registration website to have the code emailed to you. Otherwise, your Y supervisor can obtain a promo code for you.

To volunteer, click HERE and select "Volunteer" under the Appleton tab at the top left of the page. Thanks very much for giving your time on Thanksgiving Day! It's only a few hours' commitment for two very worthy causes! 
 
Understanding the Ebola Virus and Other Enteroviruses

As you may be aware, there are growing concerns across the country as several viruses and enteroviruses continue to spread. Also, with winter approaching, flu season is upon us. Please review the attached list of tips and information, created by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, to help keep you and your colleagues healthy!

Recycle Your Surplus

Please check out the following wish list before you donate reusable items to the thrift store. This is your chance to provide a second life for gently-used items for our Before and After School Program. You can drop off your items at the FWY front desk for Amber Roberts, School Age Program Coordinator. If you have any questions, contact Amber at 560-3418 or EMAIL. Thank you for your generosity!

 

Buttons

Paper

Glue

Feathers

Paint

Deck of Cards

Scissors

  
Now Showing: My Y Story!

  

 
THANKSGIVING WEEK UPDATES

Please take a moment to read through some updates as it relates to Thanksgiving week (November 24-30):

  • The YMCA will be open 6:00 AM-11:00 AM Thanksgiving Day.
  • All regularly scheduled 7-week classes will NOT be held the week of November 24.
  • The only exceptions to this are the "Bonus Week" fitness classes being held Monday - Wednesday.  Please remind your participants of this break in our program schedule.
  • "Free Week at the Y" is happening this year during Thanksgiving Week (November 24-30).  Any current YMCA member may bring a guest to the YMCA at no cost to the guest.
  • Kids Corner will be CLOSED Thursday-Saturday November 27-29.

Staff Spotlight

This month, our staff spotlight is on Hannah Schraufnagel. Hannah works in the Growth & Development department. Get to know Hannah better in her answers below!

 

Why do you like working at the Y?

I like the welcoming community and family-oriented environment. I appreciate the opportunity to work in three different departments. Most of all, I love "coming to school" with my son Isaac.

 

 

What are some of your hobbies?

Reading, do-it-yourself crafting, and going for long walks with my family.

 

What is your favorite travel destination?

Our family vacation to Puerto Rico was my favorite. Close to home, I like to visit Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, WI. Someday, I hope to travel (and spend a long vacation) to Australia.

 

Who inspires you and why?

My younger sister inspires me because she is full of adventure, independence, and happy energy. I always want her to be proud of me.

 

What are three of your favorite movies?

  1. Father of the Bride
  2. Return to Me
  3. Dan in Real Life
Extra Mile Award Recipients

The Extra Mile Award recognizes employees who have gone above and beyond what is expected; performing exemplary service, modeling the Y's four core values, and making a difference in people's lives. The following individuals recently received an Extra Mile Award:

Cathy McFarlane - Kids Corner

Paul Bady - Aquatics

Marissa Duffy - Member Services

Danielle Schlinz - Aquatics

Tessa Rhodes - Aquatics

Troy Jahns - Aquatics

Rebecca Thomson - Member Services

Melissa Gartzke - Maintenance

Kenny Kromenaker - Aquatics

Ron Bellile - Maintenance

Deb Pauly-Verheyen - Wellness

Kevin Jakubek - Sports and Recreation

Maureen Kiser - Member Services

Becky Decker - Child Care

Sara Fredrickson - Child Care

Service Anniversaries

Congratulations to the following Fox West YMCA staff members who celebrate service anniversaries in the months of October and November:

 

Renee La Fleur-Linder - 7 years

Rebecca Decker - 6 years

Maria De Leon - 6 years

Kim Edeler - 6 years

Sally Steller - 6 years

Theresa Vatland - 6 years

Jamie Neils - 6 years

Ann DeShaney - 6 years

Debra Pauly-Verheyen - 5 years

Deanna Drum - 5 years

Joseph Schroeder - 5 years

Sandy Hietpas - 5 years

Timothy Laird - 5 years

Tammie Rysdam - 4 years
Caleb Boushley - 4 years

Andrea Marcks - 4 years

Tamera Kuble - 3 years

Thomas Hatchell - 3 years

Cathy McFarlane - 3 years

Jennifer Baum - 3 years

Amanda VanSchyndel - 3 years

Connor Dougherty - 3 years

Gregory Lacey - 2 years

Robert Henke - 2 years

Chace Mindel - 1 year

Jeffrey Wege - 1 year

Becky Kauth - 1 year

Kelly Stephens - 1 year

Anthony Bessen - 1 year

Paige Milske - 1 year

John Kromenaker - 1 year

Karen Paul - 1 year

Candice Bergmann - 1 year

Michelle Pepper - 1 year 

Welcome New Staff!

Aquatics

Christian Trenton

Matthew Bohman

Dylan Greenhill

 

 Dance

Tracy Krause

 

Health and Fitness

Lisa Krause

Vanessa Lemke

Tara Schmidt

Rachel Blakney

 

Kids Corner

Margo Diedrich

 

Member Services

Jessica Griesbach

Aishling Willenkamp

Tiffany Koehnke

Peggy Visocky

December Quarterly Customer Service Meeting

Please plan on joining your fellow YMCA team members at a Quarterly Customer Service Meeting on December 11. Meetings are held at 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM. You are required to attend two of these quarterly meetings per year, but we would love to have you attend them all! You may sign up online or at the front desk.

YMCA of the Fox Cities Trainings

Please click HERE to review and register for required YMCA of the Fox Cities employee trainings. Trainings must be completed to be eligible for your earned year-end performance increase.

**IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE TRAINING YOU SIGNED UP FOR, YOU MUST CALL THE BRANCH WHERE THE TRAINING IS BEING HELD WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE TRAINING TO CANCEL YOUR SPOT. IF YOU DO NOT CALL OR SHOW FOR THE TRAINING, IT IS CONSIDERED A MISSED SHIFT AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN A VERBAL OR WRITTEN WARNING BY YOUR SUPERVISOR.

Looking for a free lunch? Enter our Newsletter Contest!

Congratulations to the winner of our September Newsletter Quiz, Lynn Tetzlaff! Lynn will received a $5 gift certificate to Panera Bread. Would you like to be our next prize winner? EMAIL Jodi St. Aubin your answers to the following questions to be included in the October prize drawing. Good luck!

  1. During Pumpkin Splash, how did the children know if the pumpkin they found in the pool won a prize?
  2. Which two organizations benefit from the proceeds of the 7th Annual Festival Foods Turkey Trot?
  3. Which of the following is NOT a donation being sought by the School Age Department? A) Buttons B) Glue C) a dotted pumpkin D) Paper.

Questions or Comments?

EMAIL Jodi St. Aubin if you have any questions about the newsletter, or if you have something you'd like included in future issues.


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