Nando The Healthy Hero

Edison Township School District

Healthy Reading - And Eating, At James Monroe

                The theme for this year's Read Across America celebration was inspired by the imagination and ideas of Michael Fernandez - James Monroe School's very own Physical Education Instructor, 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year, and published author. His new book, Nando The Healthy Hero vs. The Quesadilla Crooks, promotes healthy eating and fun for children and their families.

                Mrs. Ruvolo, our Reading Specialist, created a week of events based around the theme Healthy Heroes, inspired by Mr. Fernandez's book.

                Events included classes making their way to the voting booth in the front lobby to cast their ballot for a Super Student Snack. The nominees were Super Strong Snowmen, whose ingredients were bananas, pretzel sticks, and blueberries; Champion Chompers, made up of apples, cinnamon, and pretzel sticks, and Cereal Circles of Superpowers, consisting of healthy cereal and yarn. After the votes were counted, the Super Strong Snowmen came out on top. Students were then given the opportunity to make (and eat) their own snack.

                As part of our celebration, each homeroom received a copy of our resident author's book. Teachers read it aloud in preparation for a midweek assembly about the writing process involved in the publication of Nando The Healthy Hero vs. The Quesadilla Crooks. The story was then narrated by Mr. Fernandez, featuring several students who acted out the parts.

                Parent participation included a visit into the classrooms to join their children in various activities to explore themes centered on healthy eating.

                Our final event highlighted community members, who were invited in to read to students. A varied list of invited guests, including Rutgers student-athletes, representatives from the Police and Fire Departments, as well as staff from central office participated.

                In addition, two grade level contests were sponsored school wide:

                Catch a reading fever: Homerooms are keeping track of the number of books read during class time through the end of March. Each section grades k-5 will be plotting their results on their personal thermometers posted in the main lobby and compete for a special award.

                Door Decorating Contest: Homerooms each presented their original ideas about Nando and healthy eating in a visual representation on their classroom door. Winners will be selected in several categories.

                Finally, every child at James Monroe had the opportunity to create a new character for the book, provide a sketch of their villain/hero, a name, and a short, detailed description. Mr. Fernandez will choose the winner, and the character will be written into the book.

                Clearly, the students and staff at James Monroe enjoyed a super celebration honoring a very special superhero named Nando.

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Sentinel

Hundreds take part in local Walk MS

                ...Another walker with people behind him is Michael Fernandez, the other Most Inspirational Walker.

                Fernandez had woken up one morning in 2006 with double vision. He went back to sleep, assuming it would go away, but experienced the same problem when he awoke again. He went to the hospital, where multiple tests, including a spinal tap, ultimately showed MS as the cause.

"Everything has been great. I have had not an episode since," he said. "With healthy eating and exercise, I'm crossing my fingers [I'll be OK]."

                Now31, Fernandez says he doesn't have many limitations, though he does experience some fatigue and heat sensitivity. But overall, he continues to work as a physical education teacher at James Monroe School in Edison and has had the support this year of fellow staff members.

                The Edison native used to walk at the Roosevelt Park site, which has since closed down, so his team - Michael's Strength - joined North Brunswick about four years ago.

                "The way I am now is attributed to all of them," Fernandez said of the emotional support of his family and friends, in addition to their combined efforts to raise about $10,000 over the years. "It's great support."...

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The Official Newsletter of Walk MS (North Brunswick Edition)

The Most Inspirational Walkers Award For North Brunswick

                When Michael Fernandez woke up on February 9, 2006 with double vision and had to go to the emergency room, he didn't expect that, at age 23, his life was about to change. After getting over the initial shock, he took his MS diagnosis as a call to action! He first turned to the National MS Society in NJ for advice and guidance and he got involved. Michael, along with his parents, siblings & friends, started attending the educational programs, workshops, and social events all geared for families going through the same challenges. Michael's family created the "Michael's Strength" team for the MS Walk and have raised thousands of dollars over the last 6 years. He now shares his experience living with MS and mentors those who reach out to him with newly diagnosed friends & family members.

                Michael refuses to allow his MS diagnosis to slow him down. He eats healthy and makes the time to exercise every day, so his body is in the absolute best shape to fight this disease. He is a Physical Education teacher who continually inspires all his students, especially those also facing challenges. He is open and honest about his MS. Every day to work he even wears custom shirts designed with the MS Awareness ribbon printed on the sleeve to foster awareness and to remind his students that giving up is not an option. Since his diagnosis, he completed graduate school (and even went beyond his master's degree), he bought his own home, he started his own DJ business, was nominated two years in a row for Teacher of the Year, and now in his 'spare' time, is in the process of creating a project to promote healthy eating and wellness for kids.

                Although Michael's journey with MS stated with "double vision", now 6 years later, his outlook on life is clearer than ever!

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The wHOOse News

Read Across America

                Ready to read? Read Across America week is a week of motivation and encouragement for reading and it came to James Monroe! This year's unique theme is "Nutrition and Reading" featuring the book, Nando The Healthy Hero v.s. The Quesadilla Crooks, written by our very own healthy hero, Mr. Fernandez.

                During this lively week, students will be participating in numerous activities and interesting events such as, an educational Nando The Healthy Hero assembly and the annual door decorating contest. These events will be enjoyable and informative so you can be encouraged to have fun while reading.

                I interviewed rising author, Mr. Fernandez, to share his viewpoint about Read Across America week. :it's about introducing new things," he remarked. Mr. Fernandez also stated that, "The Nando The Healthy Hero assembly is about three important things: healthy eating habits, quality family time, and imagination.' So why don't we get inspired and put in some effort and work towards a better and healthier lifestyle!

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Read Across America Contests

                Get your paper, grab your glue... the door decorating contest has begun. This year's theme was inspired by Nando The Healthy Hero vs. The Quesadilla Crooks, written by our very own Physical Education teacher, Mr. Fernandez! Each class designed a unique theme inspirered by healthy living. The winning doors were chosen based on three categories: relation to the math curriculum, CITW inspired, and two with relation to the writing curriculum. The winners were Mrs. Branz and Miss Speckin for the math curiculum category, Mrs. Weber and Mrs. Recine for the CITW inspiered category, Mrs. Murphy for a sequel to Nando (Writing Curriculum category), and Mrs. Rommel and Mrs. Said for a dialogue between Nando and the students. (Writing Curriculum category) Congratulations to each winning class!

                To go along with our healthy themed doors, a contest was held where students were given the chance to create their own healthy side-kick, healthy hero, or unhealthy villian. The chosen characters will appear in Mr. Fernandez's next book in the Nando series. The three winners of our character contest were Nitya xxxx (Mrs. Bell's class), James xxxx (Ms. DuHamel's Class), and Tristan xxx. (Mrs. Romeo & Ms. Pattie's class0 Congratulations to our three winners; we can't wait to see your characters in the next Nando Book!

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Mr. Fernandez's Assembly

                Munch! Munch! Munch! I hear healthy eating. This year's Read Across America theme was inspired by our very own healthy hero, Mr. Fernandez. He wrote a healthy book called Nando The Healthy Hero vs. The Quesadilla Crooks. Mr. Fernandez performed an assembly all about how Nando came to lif and the process it took to publish this book.

                Students got to see real-life photos of Mr. Fernandez's journey on creating the Nando Series. With help from friends and family, Mr. Fernandez was able to make his character come to life. Volunteers from the audience were able to participate and become the actual characters in his story. These students performed the scenes, while Mr. Fernandez read the story to the students.

                The audience cheered and roared for Mr. Fernandez. All of his hard work paid off and James Monroe is looking forward to Nando's next adventure!