Happy New Year!
What a year we just closed out! Covid continues to wreak havoc on everything, people stormed the Capitol, we got a new President, left Afghanistan, triumphed in the Olympics, saw justice for George Floyd, and survived hurricanes and Britney. Yep- pat yourself on the back, you did it!
2022 didn't quite start as we'd hoped as the adaptive pause became necessary. We plan on seeing your wildcats back on Monday. Thanks to all of you for taking over teaching duties these last 3 days. The staff was still busy as could be prepping and collaborating with each other. Each of our grade level teams minimally has 9 classroom teachers, a Math Interventionist and a Reading Center teacher. That's a lot of great brains and ideas working together to craft the best education for your wildcat.
First and Second graders will come back and soon take the STAR test. STAR is a computer-adaptive test that helps teachers accurately assess students’ abilities. This is one of several pieces of data we use to make sure our students are showing growth. As always, it's important that your wildcat gets good sleep. According to WebMD, that would be:
3-6 Years Old: 10 - 12 hours per day
7-12 Years Old: 10 - 11 hours per day
Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast have higher test scores, retain information better and tend to have more focus than those who do not. (See the link below for a PDF from the source of this info). The reason for this is our brain requires food for fuel, just as our muscles do. While our muscles can use stored energy from food we ate yesterday, our brain prefers energy from food we have eaten recently. When there is not adequate glucose, or blood sugar, for the brain to use as fuel, we don't concentrate as well or feel as alert. Eating breakfast ensures that blood sugar levels return to normal after the long time without eating while you were asleep. This is why you often hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The bottom line is that breakfast breaks the fast, waking up our bodies and brains to let them know it's time to get going. Even though mornings can be rushed, set your child up for success by making sure they start the day with a healthy, balanced breakfast. (www.childrens.com)
The second part of the Bullying presentations from our Counselor and Social Worker will also be coming up soon. their presentations are based on Second Steps' Bullying program. To learn more: https://www.secondstep.org/bullying-prevention
Please be sure your student is dressed for the weather. If you are missing a lighter weight jacket, it might be in our lost and found. It's full of lost items just waiting for you to claim.
If you're going to stop in and take a gander, remember you need your drivers' license and your proof of vaccination to enter the building.
