Parkside Family Newsletter
Newsletter 2: November 2024
November 14-November 21st:
HOURS: 10:45am – 1:00pm (daily during lunch)
Thurs. 11/14 4:00 – 7:00pm(During conferences)
Tues. 11/19 4:00 – 7:00pm (During conferences)
LOCATED IN THE PARKSIDE LMC
We can't run the book fair without your help! Anyone who signs up to volunteer for a shift will be given a $10.00 gift certificate good towards any purchase at the book fair!
If you are able to help, please sign online with the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48AFAF28A6FDCF8-51638823-parkside?useFullSite=true#/
Can't make it to the book fair in person?
Shop the virtual book fair or set up your student's very own e-wallet!
Now you can send your student cash-free with Book Fair eWallet! Visit the link below to create an account:
This year in December the PTO will be leading their annual Book Swap! Now's a great time to start sorting through your gently used books and selecting those you can donate!
Please do not bring in your donation until DECEMBER 3.
We will also be looking for Grown-Up volunteers to help with the event on December 18! Volunteers will help students pick out books to take home and help students wrap them.
Keep an eye out for the sign up coming soon!
As we move into the month of November, Gratitude is something that everyone starts to reflect on. Here are some activities that you and your child can enjoy together to grow gratitude and mindfulness, while finding joy in all that you do together.
1. Gratitude Journaling: Set aside a few minutes each week to write down three things you’re grateful for. Encourage discussion about why each item is meaningful. This helps cultivate a gratitude mindset.
2. Nature Walk: Take a slow, mindful walk in a local park or nature area. Focus on the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn. Practice being present by discussing what you notice. Encourage children to identify colors, textures, and sounds.
3. Mindful Breathing: Spend a few minutes each day practicing deep breathing together. Count to four as you inhale, hold for four, and exhale for four. Teach children to focus on their breath, noticing how it feels to breathe in and out.
4. Thanksgiving Preparation: Involve kids in meal prep or decorating for Thanksgiving. Focus on each task mindfully. Encourage them to pay attention to textures, smells, and the process of cooking or crafting.
5. Gratitude Tree: Create a gratitude tree by cutting out leaves from paper. Each day, write something you’re thankful for and hang it on the tree. Reflect on each item as you add it, discussing its impact on your lives.
6. Mindful Storytime: Choose a story to read together. After reading, discuss the feelings and lessons in the story. Ask questions about characters’ emotions and how they relate to your own experiences.
~Mrs. Houston
Help Your Child Spell Words with Sound Boxes:
Reading, writing, and spelling are tightly connected skills. By developing one of these, it will strengthen the others. Spelling can be tricky, but using sound boxes can make it easier for children to understand how sounds and letters fit together. Here’s a simple method you can use at home to help your child with spelling, based on the Science of Reading.
Step 1: Say the Word Aloud
Start by saying the word out loud and have your child repeat it slowly, stretching out the sounds.
Example: For the word “dog,” they say /d/ /o/ /g/.
Step 2: Draw Sound Boxes
Draw a set of boxes, one for each sound in the word.
Example: For "dog," draw three boxes—one for each sound: /d/ /o/ /g/.
Step 3: Break the Word into Sounds
Have your child touch each box as they say the sounds of the word.
Example: For "dog," they touch the first box and say /d/, then the second box /o/, and the third box /g/.
Step 4: Match Sounds to Letters
Ask your child to write the letter(s) that match each sound into the boxes.
Example: For "dog," they write "d" in the first box, "o" in the second, and "g" in the third.
Step 5: Blend the Sounds Together
Have your child slide their finger across all the boxes and blend the sounds together to read the whole word.
Example: They say /d/ /o/ /g/ and blend to say “dog.”
Step 6: Apply Phonics Rules (If Needed)
If the word follows a phonics rule, like a silent "e," explain how it changes the sound of the word.
Example: For “bike,” the silent "e" makes the "i" say its name, or long sound.
Step 7: Handle Tricky Words
What to do: Some words don’t follow the usual rules. If the word is a tricky word (like “said” or “does”), help them figure out what part of the word is tricky.
Tip: Often, most of the word follows a rule, and only part of it needs to be learned by heart. For example, in the word “said,” the “ai” is the tricky part because it doesn’t make the sound you expect.
~Mrs. McKeon & Mrs. Wellman
The Backpack Buddies Program works to support families that do not have enough food to adequately support all members of the family. The program regularly delivers a pack of food to supplement the food source within the home and is completely funded with community donations.
If you are interested in participating in the Backpack Buddies program, please contact the School Counselor or Health Aide at your child's school. Please know that your family name and child(ren)'s identity are kept confidential. Privacy is a top priority.
Sports Drinks
Did you know that sports drinks are generally not recommended for most kids?
Here's why-
1. High Sugar Content:
Sports drinks often contain a lot of added sugars, which can contribute to tooth decay, weight gain, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends that children consume no more than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day, but many sports drinks contain that much or more in a single serving.
2. Unnecessary Calories:
Most kids do not need the extra calories found in sports drinks, especially if they are not engaging in prolonged or intense physical activity. Regular consumption can contribute to childhood obesity if the calories are not burned off through exercise.
3. Electrolytes Are Not Needed:
Sports drinks are formulated to replace electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) lost during intense physical activity, which is usually not necessary for most children. For typical playtime or moderate physical activity, water is sufficient to keep kids hydrated.
When Are Sports Drinks Appropriate for Kids?
Sports drinks may be appropriate for older children or teenagers engaging in prolonged, vigorous physical activities (such as running a marathon or playing sports for hours in hot weather), but even in those cases, water is usually the best option for hydration. When choosing a drink, it’s important to consider the child’s age, activity level, and any specific health needs they may have. For most everyday activities, water is usually the best choice.
So if not sports drinks, what should my kids drink?
Healthy Alternatives-
Water: The simplest & most effective way to stay hydrated. For most activities, especially moderate exercise, water is usually sufficient. It’s also free!
Coconut Water: It’s a natural source of electrolytes like potassium & sodium, & contains less sugar than many commercial sports drinks.
Diluted Fruit Juice: Mix a small amount of 100% fruit juice with water (about 1 part juice to 3 parts water) to provide some natural sugars & vitamins without excessive calories.
Infused Water: Add slices of fruit (like lemon, lime, berries) or vegetables (like cucumber) to water for a hint of flavor without added sugars or calories.
Milk: After intense exercise, milk can be a good option as it provides protein, calcium, & electrolytes.
~MSD Wellness
Snow pants, snow boots, and gloves must be worn to play in the snow. Students without boots are limited to the dry areas of the blacktop/near the side of the building when all areas are covered in snow.
Please remember to label coats, hats, gloves, ect.
Recess is outside unless it is raining or there is a negative "feels like" temperature.
(Please label sweatshirts, coat, gloves, hat, etc.)
