Truth: Commonly-used traditional cleaning products contain many harmful ingredients. You might be concerned about the toxins you come into contact with outside of your home, such as cigarette smoke, pollutants from nearby factories or the pesticides in food, but have you ever stopped to think about the chemicals and contaminants you are exposed to everyday in your household? An alarming … Read More
Written Determinations and Rationale for Cooperative Purchases at Arizona School Districts
Last year’s legislative session included a law that requires school districts to provide rationale when choosing specific cooperative purchases. Based on that statute, the procurement rules require a written determination to include that rationale. Districts are now required to provide a rationale when selecting vendors on a cooperative contract. This will be an additional step in your due diligence process. … Read More
Myth: Diet soda is better for you than regular soda
Myth: Diet soda is better for you than regular soda. Truth: Replacing regular soda with diet soda may be more problematic. It’s safe to say that most of us have accepted that soda and other sugar-laden beverages do not have a place in our diet. Research shows that consistent consumption of food items that spike blood sugar, such as soda, … Read More
Welcome to Summer!
Valley Schools welcomes you to the Benefits Broadcast, showcasing timely topics and updates relating to your membership. We are passionate about serving our members and helping them live their best lives. Your Benefits Account Management and Wellness Team are always available to answer questions and provide detail on any of the topics and resources listed below. Health and Happiness from … Read More
Nutrition Facts Labels – MYSTERY SOLVED!
Have you ever noticed that a food label is generally only found on processed and packaged items? That is because whole foods – such as fruit, vegetables, fresh meat, and seafood – do not need a nutrition label since they do not contain any additional ingredients. It is wise to aim for a diet rich in these whole foods to … Read More
Seasonal Allergy Saga – Shield Up!
Spring is in full swing, and while the warmer temperatures give us the beautiful blooms and delightful vistas to view, it can paint our every day into allergy hell. Seasonal allergy symptoms can include coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, fatigue, and sleep deprivation, and additional inflammatory responses. It can be hard to function at work or home while these allergies are … Read More
The Fight on Stress
Stress is unique. What creates stress in one person may not be the same for another. Why? How we experience stress is relative to each of our individual backgrounds and beliefs. Stress can be defined as, “physical, mental, or emotional tension resulting from factors that alter equilibrium within the body.” Stress can also be defined as, “the perception of a … Read More
Why You Should Trust Valley Schools
The Valley Schools difference is our decades of experience. For more than 30 years, Valley Schools has been the Grand Canyon State’s foremost choice for people searching for a wide variety of services, including benefits consulting, wellness, and insurance options that are customized to meet your specific needs in specific areas, including health insurance, affordable health insurance, health care plans, … Read More
Here at Valley Schools & HPACT, We Take Springing Into Spring to Heart!
February, March and April have been a whirlwind of activity for our Account Management and Wellness Teams at Valley Schools. Take a look at some of the exciting ways we are supporting our members and their communities! Paradise Valley Unified Fun Run 5K Peoria Unified School District 5K City of Tolleson and Tolleson Elementary School District Whoopee Daze 5K Avondale … Read More
Rethinking the Importance and Value of Employee Wellness
Early spring is benefit decision time for public sector employers. Budgets, plan choices, integrated or non-integrated medical and pharmacy, disease management programs, employee assistance—all topics that need to be decided on behind the scenes before rolling out the final choices to employees for open enrollment. For many employers, there is a vital component missing, which is your wellness goals and … Read More