Principal's Weekly Update #4

Open House was a great success! It was wonderful to see so many of our families in attendance at our annual Open House event last evening. We love to watch as the children excitedly show their adult(s) around the building to see their classrooms and teachers. Thank you to everyone who attended. If you were unable to make it, please be sure to reach out to your child’s teacher to schedule your parent-teacher conference.

The bookfair was a wild success! There was a great selection of books and student enjoyed selecting their own books out! Thank you to the PTO for organizing and running this event! Our hallways smelled wonderful and a special thank you to our food service supervisor, Kim Reis, for baking the delicious cookies and providing a snack.

Next Friday, October 4th is our early evacuation drill. Students will be released 15 minutes early. UPK pick up will begin at 2:45 and K-3 student pick-up will begin at 3:05.

Next week, October 3rd, we will host our school picture day. Order forms were sent home last week. Please call Mrs. Moran at 716-652-3000 ext. 4001 if you need a new one. PTO will host the October meeting at Wales Primary on Thursday, October 3rd at 6pm. We hope to see all of you there!

This is a reminder that when your child is absent or tardy, legally we must have a note with a reason, upon the child's return to school. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

10/3 Fall Picture Day

PTO meeting 6pm

10/4 emergency evacuation drill- 15 minute early release UPK 2:45, K-3 parent pick up 3:05, busses 3:15

10/11 Superintendent Conference Day- no student attendance

10/14 Indigenous People's Day- no student attendance

10/23-10/31 Red Ribbon Week

10/15 Harvest Hoedown 6-8pm

10/31 Parade 1:15pm

Classroom parties

To support your child’s development both at school and at home, it is helpful to support your child's development and learning through four important focus areas: sleep, nature, nutrition, and limited media. These focus areas contribute to your child’s overall well-being and ability to thrive in a learning environment.

1. Sleep: Ensuring Restful Nights

Adequate sleep is crucial for children’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends the following sleep durations:

· 0-1 year: 12-16 hours

· 1-2 years: 11-14 hours

· 3-6 years: 10-13 hours

· 6-12 years: 9-12 hours

To maintain a consistent sleep schedule, try to keep weekends and breaks within an hour of your child’s usual bedtime. Proper sleep improves attention, behavior, learning, and memory.

2. Nutrition: Fueling Growing Minds

Focus on providing nutrient-dense foods, reducing added sugars and heavily processed foods. Including your child in meal preparation and grocery shopping can make them more interested in healthy eating. Foods rich in healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts, and fish, are essential for brain development.

3. Limited Media

Limiting or eliminating screen time on school days and nights and encouraging more face-to-face interaction with family supports the development of your child's neurological system. Designate media-free times, such as during meals or while driving, to encourage meaningful conversations.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 2 years old avoid screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends. For children ages 2–5, the AAP recommends limiting non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend. For children ages 6 and older, the AAP recommends limiting screen time to no more than 2 hours per day, except for homework."

Children need to run, play, and explore the world. Time outdoors can support your child's development, need for movement, and overall wellness. Spending time in nature reduces stress, increases attention spans, and promotes creativity and imagination.