~ Elementary ~ SEL & Wellness

Get Your Flu Shot

Autumn is the start of flu season, and doctors recommend everyone six months and older get vaccinated against the flu.

Drive Safely as it gets Darker

Daylight Saving Time ends every year on the first Sunday in November. This means it starts to get darker earlier. As we set our clocks back, here are some tips for driving at night. Keep your family Safe!

Smoke Detectors

When you change your clocks, it's also a great time to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

After the turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie have all been gobbled up, what is a family to do? Instead of piling onto the couch for an after-dinner snooze fest, gather the whole family for some fun after-dinner activities that will keep all ages entertained! It is a great way to bond as a family and make the most out of your time together!

1. Deliver a Meal

If you have an elderly neighbor or know a family in your own neighborhood who could use some extra cheer, pack up a meal especially for them and deliver it as a family. It is a great way to teach little ones to share, get to know your neighbors, and help eliminate leftovers!

2. Family Football Game

Start a friendly football game for the whole family outdoors and work up a sweat together. You can even make a pre-game activity out of making the Family Football Thanksgiving Championship trophy, which can become the coveted prize during this tradition for years to come!

3. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Assemble family members into pairs or teams and organize an exciting scavenger hunt, either in the backyard or throughout the neighborhood. Offer prizes, like small gift cards or special treats, to inspire some friendly competition.

4. Set up the Christmas Tree

Some may argue that Thanksgiving is too early to start your holiday decorating, but hey—you might as well take the help while you can get it! Plus, who doesn’t enjoy decorating the family tree? Turn on some festive music, delegate out the tree-decorating tasks, and watch your holiday come alive with the help of the whole family. Serve up some hot cocoa to really help get everyone in the spirit!

5. Family Game Night

Try pulling out some traditional board games, and gather up the family for some good old-fashioned family fun!

6. Show Gratitude

Most importantly, have everyone share what they are most grateful for this year. It may be something as simple as getting a new kitten, or it may be something more substantial such as a family member or friend healing from a serious illness or accident. Gratitude helps us to voice the good things in our lives, can improve relationships, and helps us to feel more positive overall. Be grateful this year for all the good in your life!

Regular physical activity can help children and adolescents improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions, such as: heart disease.

Recommendations for exercise for children.

Pets can be a great addition to the family. There are many benefits to children having a pet: increase in self-esteem, nurturing skills, cooperation and, best of all, the creation of an unconditional, loving bond that brings immeasurable joy to your entire family.

Animals can be great fun, but it is important to know how to be safe when you're with them. Both indoor animals and outdoor animals need kind treatment all of the time. This means different things depending on the animal and the situation.

Some safety tips for pet ownership for students:

• Never bother a pet when it is eating or pull its food or water away.
• Do not tease a dog or cat or pull its tail or ears.
• Never bother a pet when it is sleeping.
• Do not take a toy/bone away from a cat/dog or hold it out of reach of the animal.
• Never try to get near a pet with its babies (like a cat with kittens or a dog with puppies). Animal mothers are very protective, and they will bite to keep you away.
• When lifting a rabbit, hamster, guinea pig, or gerbil from its cage, do it slowly. Be sure to hold the animal underneath its belly.
• Never pick up or hold a rabbit by its ears.
• When pulling an iguana, lizard, snake, or other reptile from its tank, do it slowly and carefully. Then wash your hands right away because reptiles can carry bacteria on their skin.
• Never stick your bare hand into a fish tank — most fish cannot hurt you. A few types of fish can sting if they get upset. The water also contains germs that could cause a skin infection.
• If a pet looks sick or injured, stay far away. An animal that normally loves being petted and played with may get very upset and even bite when it is feeling ill. Tell an adult so he or she can get help for the animal.
• Pets should stay current on their shots - especially their rabies shot. The state of Texas requires that dogs and cats obtain vaccinations against rabies by four months of age. A licensed veterinarian must administer the vaccinations.
• Keep your pets healthy. Make sure that they get plenty of water, do not overfeed them, get them plenty of exercise, do not bathe them too often, and treat your pets for fleas and ticks if they get them.

Remember to make sure your children understand that a pet is a living creature needing care and respect. Animals have needs and feelings, and they rely on their family for companionship and loving care.

Enjoy those pets!

TCHATT (Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine) provides telemedicine or tele-heath programs to children within Cuero ISD. TCHATT also helps to identify and assess the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents and provide access to mental health services. Cuero ISD is proud to be part of this program that helps students get access to mental health treatment and resources.

Ruby Rodriguez, M.Ed. ~ Director of Special Programs

Kathy F. Scott, LMSW ~ Elementary School Climate Specialist

Courtney Schacherl, M.S., LPC ~ Junior High School Climate Specialist

Lacy Timpone, M.Ed., LPC ~ High School School Climate Specialist

Website: www.cueroisd.org
Location: 960 East Broadway Street, Cuero, TX, USA
Phone: 3612751900
Facebook: facebook.com/cueroisd/