Parent Connection

With colder temperatures upon us, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. If your family is in need of a coat, we are happy to help. Reach out to the school office for assistance.

Mark your calendars! Spring Conferences will be held on January 15th. Teachers will send the link to parents of students who are in need of a conference. Parents are also welcome to contact specific teachers to request a conference.

January 6th- School resumes

January 9th- PTA meeting 5:30 Elementary gym

January 10th- Quarter 2 Awards Assembly 9:30

January 15th - Spring conferences

January 20th- MLK Day/No School

January 31st- Professional Day for Staff/No School for Students

Important Message from Lorain County Public Health/

Mensaje importante de Salud Pública del Condado de Lorain

Dear Families,

As we approach this time of year, we often notice an increase in illnesses. Recently, Lorain County Public Health has reported the spread of pertussis (whooping cough) within our community.

Pertussis is an infection that affects the airways and is transmitted through coughing or sneezing. It may initially resemble a common cold, but it can escalate into a severe, lingering cough that lasts for weeks or even months. This illness poses a significant risk to pregnant women, infants under 12 months and anyone with a weakened immune system or moderate to severe asthma.

As always, please take precautions if you or your child are feeling unwell, and consider the following recommendations:

• Keep your child at home if they are sick.

• If there is a fever, do not return to school until 24 hours after the fever has subsided (without the use of anti-fever medications) AND symptoms have improved for 24 hours.

• If symptoms do not improve, please seek medical attention.

Thank you for your attention to this important message.

Respectfully,

Amy Higgins
Communications Director

Queridas familias,

A medida que nos acercamos a esta época del año, solemos notar un aumento de enfermedades. Recientemente, Salud Pública del Condado de Lorain ha informado sobre la propagación de la tos ferina dentro de nuestra comunidad.

La tos ferina es una infección que afecta las vías respiratorias y se transmite al toser o estornudar. Al principio puede parecerse a un resfriado común, pero puede evolucionar hasta convertirse en una tos intensa y persistente que dura semanas o incluso meses. Esta enfermedad representa un riesgo significativo para las mujeres embarazadas, los bebés menores de 12 meses y cualquier persona con un sistema inmunológico debilitado o asma de moderada a grave.

Como siempre, tome precauciones si usted o su hijo no se sienten bien y considere las siguientes recomendaciones:

Mantenga a su hijo en casa si está enfermo.

Si tiene fiebre, no regrese a la escuela hasta 24 horas después de que la fiebre haya disminuido (sin el uso de medicamentos contra la fiebre) Y los síntomas hayan mejorado durante 24 horas.

Si los síntomas no mejoran, busque atención médica.

Gracias por su atención a este importante mensaje.

Respetuosamente,

Amy Higgins

Directora de Comunicaciones

I hope everyone has a healthy and happy New Year in 2025!

Following are tips from the CDC to help you, help your children, ring in the new year focusing on maintaining or striving for a healthier lifestyle. Please check out all the great hyperlinks for even more information. A healthier child is a happier child.

Tips to Support Healthy Routines for Children and Teens

Healthy lifestyle behaviors are the building blocks of lifelong well-being for children and teens. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can help children and teens develop healthy habits.

Why it matters

Healthy eating and physical activity are important for growth and development, and prevention of obesity and related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, anxiety and depression. Healthy eating boosts immunity and supports healthy growth. Being physically active can help boost students' academic performances. For good mental and physical health, kids also need plenty of sleep and limited screen time.

Parents, caregivers, and teachers can help children and teens develop healthy lifestyles with these tips.

Make sure children and teens get enough sleep

Children and teens need more sleep than adults, and the amount varies by age. Too little sleep is associated with obesity, partly because not getting enough sleep may make us eat more and be less physically active. See the recommended amounts of sleep by age and suggestions to improve sleep.

Reduce screen time

In young people, too much screen time is associated with poor sleep, weight gain, lower grades in school, and poor mental health. Reducing screen time can help free time for other activities and improve sleep. Cutting back on screen time also limits cues to eat unhealthy food. See Beyond Screen Time.

Limit the time children and teens watch television, play video games, or use a smartphone or tablet. Instead, encourage children and teens to do fun activities with their friends and family members. Or encourage children and teens to move more in their independent activities.

Encourage healthy eating habits

Promoting healthy eating among children and teens can support their overall well-being. They can gain many health benefits through healthy eating, including:

• Keeping skin, teeth, and eyes healthy.

• Supporting muscles.

• Helping achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

• Strengthening bones.

• Supporting brain development and healthy growth.

• Boosting immunity.

• Helping the digestive system function.

To help children and teens develop healthy eating habits:

• Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products.

• Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils, and beans for protein.

• Include low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt.

• Encourage your family to drink water instead of sugary drinks.
  
  

Additionally, you can:

• Encourage kids to eat a healthy breakfast and lunch whether at home or at school.

• Review school menus with your kids and encourage them to try new foods.

• Model healthy eating at home.

Remember that small changes every day can lead to significant health improvements in the short and long term.

See Also:

Choose My Plate for Children

Limit saturated fat, added sugar, and salt

Limiting foods with high amounts of saturated fat, added sugar, and salt can help support healthy eating habits. If these foods are eaten less often, they will truly be treats! For everyday snacks, try these easy-to-prepare options.

• 1 cup carrots, broccoli, or bell peppers with 2 tablespoons hummus.

• A medium apple or banana with 1 tablespoon peanut butter.

• 1 cup blueberries or grapes with 1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt.

• 1/4 cup of tuna wrapped in a lettuce leaf.

Help children and teens stay active

Children and adolescents need aerobic activity, which is anything that makes their heart beat faster. They also need bone-strengthening activities such as running or jumping and muscle-strengthening activities such as climbing or push-ups.

In addition to being fun, regular physical activity has many health benefits, including:

• Strengthening bones and muscles.

• Decreasing blood pressure.

• Reducing risk of several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and obesity.

• Reducing risk of depression.

• Boosting academic performance by improving attention and memory.

• Helping regulate body weight and reduce body fat.

Children 3 to 5 should be active throughout the day.

Children and teens 6 to 17 should be physically active at least 60 minutes each day. This group needs:

• Aerobic activity, which is anything that makes their heart beat faster.

• Bone-strengthening activities such as running or jumping.

• Muscle-strengthening activities such as climbing or push-ups.

See details.

To help children and teens get enough physical activity:

• Make physical activity part of your family's daily routine by taking walks or playing active games together.

• Help children and teens find fun activities to do on their own or with friends and family, such as walking or riding bikes.

• Take young people to places where they can be active, such as public parks or playgrounds, community baseball fields, or community basketball courts.

• Encourage your child to participate in school or community physical activity or sports programs.

Remember that children imitate adults. Start adding physical activity to your own routine and encourage your child to join you.

Learn more

Healthy eating

• Benefits of Healthy Eating for Children

• Healthy Eating Tips – Choosing healthy foods and drinks.

• Good Nutrition Starts Early – How to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your child's diet.

• Tips to Help Your Picky Eater

• My Plate Kids

• – Includes games, activity sheets, videos, and songs.

• Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025

Physical activity

• Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children

• What You Can Do to Meet Physical Activity Recommendations – Recommendations by age.

• Tips for Getting More Active Minutes – Ways to find more time for physical activity.

• Benefits of School-Based Physical Activity – How physical activity can benefit a student's health, teachers, and the community.

Social and emotional wellness

• BAM! Body and Mind – Classroom resources for teachers of grades 4 through 8.

• Help Kids Learn New Skills to Be Healthy During the Summer

• Parents for Healthy Schools – Resources to encourage parent involvement in school health.

Maintaining a healthy weight

• Preventing Childhood Obesity: 6 Things Families Can Do
  
  

• Child and Teen BMI (Body Mass Index) Calculator – Note: BMI screens for obesity but is not a diagnostic tool. See more about BMI for children and teens.

• We Can!.

The Science of Reading is an evidence-based approach to literacy instruction that focuses on the foundational skills students need to become strong and confident readers.

In the classroom, this means:

• Explicit teaching of phonics and phonemic awareness.

• Opportunities for students to build vocabulary and comprehension skills.

• Engaging activities that help children connect sounds to letters and words.

We are already seeing the positive impact of these strategies in improved reading skills and student confidence. This initiative aligns with our commitment to providing high-quality instruction that supports all learners.

We encourage families to support this work at home by reading with your child daily, asking questions about what they’re reading, and encouraging their love of books. Together, we can ensure every student is on the path to literacy success!

We have students who have allergies (some severe) that may develop a reaction, as a result of certain foods being permitted and passed out during special occasions such as birthdays, classroom parties, rewards, etc. This is something the kids love and should be able to enjoy.

However, to keep all students safe, It's imperative that all foods brought from the outside are store bought (not homemade) and have nutrition information on them to check ingredients. If the ingredients aren't available, they may not be distributed.

We have students with all kinds of allergies (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, wheat, gluten, etc.). We also have students with medical conditions who can't eat certain foods as well.

Ideally parents should notify the school/teacher at least 24 hours prior to when they bring in treats so that the teacher can check for allergies.

Non-food treats are encouraged, such as stickers, pencils, glow sticks, bracelets and other kid-friendly items.