September Bowlesburg Newsletter

• Welcome Back
• Birthday Snacks and School Wellness Policy
• Bowlesburg's Mission, Vision, and Core Values
• Supporting Your Students At Home
• Calendar of Events

I would like to welcome our students, families, and staff back for the 2024-2025 school year. It has been a great start to the year, as we help students get back into the school routine. Our first couple of weeks have been focused on establishing routines and procedures in the school and classrooms. We do this by teaching the students the 3 B's of Bowlesburg: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. These three school-wide expectations are defined for each area of the school on our Behavior Matrix which is posted throughout the building. The students spend the first two days of school rotating through stations within the school where they are taught these expectations. We look forward to working with families as we help our students become productive members of our school community.

Jeff Fairweather, Principal

Fall Fest is just around the corner on Saturday, September 21st from 12:00-2:00 p.m.! Please sign up for a shift to help us run this event and make it successful by clicking on the following link.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084AADAD29A6F4C16-50816247-fall#/

We hope you can attend Fall Fest and enjoy a blow up obstacle course, games, food, raffles, and buy a chance to pie a staff member in the face!

Any questions, please email pta.bowlesburg@gmail.com

If you or your student is planning to bring snacks to school, please follow the District Wellness Policy.

In accordance with the Wellness Policy:

1. ALL SNACKS PROVIDED AT SCHOOL WILL COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL SMART SNACK GUIDELINES This means that we have to make sure that we are giving students healthy items such as: *fruits and vegetables *low sugar snacks *low fat snacks

2. ALL SNACKS/TREATS BROUGHT INTO THE SCHOOLS MUST BE PREPACKAGED (no homemade treats). Due to the increase in severe food allergies, all food must not only comply with the Smart Snack guidelines but they must also be packaged with a listing of ingredients. Fruits and vegetables do not have to follow this guideline. Healthy snacks are available to purchase from the Food Service Office on the district website.

3. WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM USING FOOD AS INCENTIVES and FOODS FOR CELEBRATIONS. We want our students to know that celebrating a birthday doesn’t have to mean treats. It can be as simple as a teacher offering a special activity for that child to celebrate a birthday. Please see our website for more information regarding our new wellness initiatives.

How you can support Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at home.

SEL Practices from School to Home Social-emotional learning is an all-day concept. At home, families can build on the work of the schools. Families can use their everyday interactions to build on the skills that EMSD #37 implements in their school-wide SEL program that will help children throughout their day in a variety of settings. Below are six strategies to utilize to help bridge SEL practices from school to home.

1. Focus on strengths. It can be tempting to focus on problem areas. Ask your child what he/she thinks they did well first. A focus on accomplishment can help children persist when things get difficult and can build self-efficacy.

2. Use visuals to help your child plan. When something is new or challenging for your child- getting ready for the day, completing homework, keeping the room clean - make visual reminders or a step-by-step checklist that can be displayed in the home. By showing children what they need to do to succeed, this practice can develop independence and contribute to a sense of pride when goals are met.

3. Ask about feelings. Talk about emotions together- what it feels like to be frustrated, nervous, or excited. The ability to label uncomfortable feelings can grow self-awareness. Encouraging your child to use “I” statements like “I feel sad” or “I’m angry” can help build self-control and communication skills.

4. Stay calm when YOU are mad. Learn to recognize your own triggering situations and talk about how you cope with anger as a family. For example, “I am feeling very upset, so I’m going to take a couple of deep breaths and five minutes to myself before we talk about this.” Modeling how to calm down helps your kids develop self-control.

5. Be willing to make apologies. When you do get upset, or make a mistake, take accountability and apologize to your kids. Explain what you meant to do or say to help teach social competence. Conflict is a normal part of life, and can be solved respectfully and calmly.

6. Encourage sharing and helping. Talk with your kids regularly about what others might need and how you could offer some help. Brainstorm big ways and small ways to help - whether by taking out the trash for an elderly neighbor or by volunteering at the local animal shelter, or helping a sibling pack for a trip. These acts build empathy and help to create a community-oriented mindset.

• September 2nd - No School, Labor Day
• September 3rd - No School, Teacher Inservice
• September 10th - PTA Meeting 6:00 P.M. in Bowlesburg Library
• September 16th - Picture Day
• September 21st - PTA Fall Fest 12:00-2:00 p.m.
• October 4th - Early Dismissal at 11:30 A.M.
• October 7th-11th - No School, Fall Break
• October 14th - No School, Columbus Day
• October 18th - End of 1st Quarter
• October 23rd - 1st Quarter Report Cards Sent Home