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March 2014 ** REMINDER ** SCHOOL IS CLOSED: Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Message from the Principal March 2014 Dear WIS Families, I hope you are managing through the extended winter weather. Hopefully Spring will arrive soon!
Upcoming Assessments – More Information Last month I told you a little bit about the upcoming assessments. I would like to share some more specific details this month. As you know, WIS students will be participating in online testing from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium – better known as SBAC – during this spring. These assessments will begin March 18 and run into May. These assessments look very different than the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT). Students will complete the SBAC assessments on the computer in the computer lab. The testing periods will only be 45-60 minutes 1 or 2 times per week during the period mentioned above.
Grade 5 students are the only ones who are required to take any part of the CMT test. They will participate in the Science Test on Thursday, March 13 during our morning class periods. Please make every effort to have your child to school on time on this date.
Internet Safety On March 3, Scott Driscoll of Internet Safety Concepts will make a presentation to our fifth graders on Internet safety. Mr. Driscoll is a former police officer who has years of experience in helping to resolve cyber-issues and promoting online safety for students. Mr. Driscoll will focus on keeping online connections safe, the dangers of various social media, and how online conversations (such as texting) can be misinterpreted and cause problems among students and friends. This program was brought to WIS courtesy of Cromwell Youth Services.
I would also like to let you know that Mr. Driscoll will be at CMS on March 18 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. for a PARENTS ONLY presentation about Internet Safety for all Cromwell parents and guardians. Through this presentation, you will be informed of new trends and techniques that are being used online by both our children and predators. Tips on what to do to prevent a dangerous situation from happening will be given. Parents/Guardians will see how what their children do on-line now can have long term negative effects on their future. They will also learn tools and strategies they can use to help keep their families safe. A flyer will be coming home with students. I strongly encourage you to attend this presentation.
Spirit Week During the week of March 17 WIS students will have a chance to participate in Spirit Week. Students and staff can have fun showing their school spirit each day of the week:
Monday, March 17: Wear Green Day Tuesday, March 18: Twin Day (dress like a friend or two) Wednesday, March 19: Wacky Wednesday (class choice) Thursday, March 20: Sports Day (wear your favorite team) Friday, March 21: Woodside Day (WIS Logo wear / school colors – red and black)
Classes will also participate in a Door Decorating Contest. The theme will be our RAFT model of positive behaviors.
Parent Drop Off in the Morning Last month we made some changes to our parent drop off procedure in the morning. The purpose of the change was to increase the efficiency and the safety of the drop off area. I hope that you have found these changes to be helpful. Please feel free to contact me with any feedback or suggestions. You will see my e-mail address below.
Sincerely, Mr. Chris Butwill WIS Principal [email protected]
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
It is very important if you are planning to travel outside of the country to notify the school nurse. A TB test may be needed prior to the students’ return to school. Notifying the school nurse prior to your travels will avoid confusion upon your return.
Just a reminder that, nuts of any kind, including peanut butter or nut products are not allowed to be brought into any "No Nut Classroom" for snack. If you do not remember if your child is in a "No Nut Classroom" contact their teacher, or the nurse to find out. For some students, any contact with nuts can be life threatening. Let’s help protect our Woodside family.
Please note in April we will be conducting Postural Screenings on Grade 5.
Finally, it is extremely important for parents to be sure their contact numbers are updated on the medical assistance cards which the school nurse uses to contact you in the case of illness/injury. I am noting that many recordings state “the voice mail is not set up” or “the person is not accepting calls right now” or “the voice mail is full”, etc. and I am unable to leave a message. PLEASE be sure all numbers are working numbers that are listed on the card. I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. Thank you for your cooperation!
Gillian Hanson RN, BSN
WIS School Nurse
Gillian Hanson RN, BSN
WIS School Nurse
860-632-4828
Important News from the 3rd Grade Teachers
In math, the students are working on memorizing their multiplication and division math facts. Please keep practicing at home! We are also working on fractions. Students have been working on their critical writing and thinking skills through persuasive writing, mysteries, and fairy tales. We are moving through our States of Matter science unit. The students have been reading and analyzing a variety of fairy tales from around the world for ingredients (happy ending, evil step-mother, loyalty, trickery) typically found in this genre. We are looking forward to beginning an Author’s Study focused on stories written by Kate DiCamillo. Kim Nieradko
Important News from the 4th Grade Teachers
What’s News in 4th Grade?!
In the fourth grade this month, we are spending lots of time reading!! We are focusing on summarizing and making higher level inferences. When your child has finished reading, ask him/her to summarize what he/she has been reading. Also, ask him/her to tell you something that they have figured out about a character’s traits or feelings. Please continue to have your child read for at least 20 minutes every night. This is the most important assignment each week. In Mathematics, we are in the process of finishing our Multiplication and Division Unit, and we will begin exploring Fractions and Decimals using tenths and hundredths. Have your child find places in real life when both fractions and decimals are used. They will be amazed! Students should continue to practice their multiplication and division facts up to 12. As we move further into exploring fractions and decimals, having a command of the multiplication and division facts is crucial in order to master our learning goals. Spending just 10 – 15 minutes a night practicing, can make a huge difference! In writing we are moving from exploring all forms of writing to focusing on expository and persuasive writing. We will continue to focus on the writing process using these forms, as well as editing and revising our work. Good writing is always a work in progress!
Deirdre Daly
Important News from the 5th Grade Teachers
The fifth grade team just finished an Author Study which focused on Margaret Peterson Haddix. Haddix’s books have some very exciting themes and topics ranging from time travel, population control, and dystopian societies. One particular series of books written by Margaret Peterson Haddix, which became popular among fifth graders, is known as “The Missing.” In this series, famous children in history are kidnapped by time travelers from their place in time and sent to the twenty-first century as babies. During the month of March, fifth grade students will start a new Language Arts Unit that focuses on Social Issues. Over the course of this unit, students will be reading books which focus on various social themes. Teachers will be reading aloud books that relate to the theme as well. Some of the books that maybe read aloud are Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan, Out of Mind by Sharon Draper, or Wonder by R.J. Palacio. In math, fifth grade students worked on operations with decimals. Students worked on adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimal numbers. Here is an example of a story problem the students may have worked on in relation to that topic:
It costs $0.25 to operate a clothes dryer for 10 minutes at a Laundromat. What is the total cost to operate one clothes dryer for 30 minutes, a second for 40 minutes, and a third for 50 minutes?
Next students will be working on algebraic concepts including the Order of Operations. This will be followed by a study of fractions and operations with fractions. Here is a sample question that students may see during their Algebra unit:
If Hunter makes an average of 48 cupcakes per hour for 3 hours, he will make 3 x 48 cupcakes. Which of the following is equal to 3 x 48?
a. (3 x 40) + (3 x 8) b. (3 + 40) x (3 + 8) c. (3 + 40) + (3 + 8) d. (3 x 40) - (3 x 8)
Some upcoming fifth grade events to be aware of in the next few months are DARE Graduation
and the Grade Five Science CMT assessment.
Doug Kiss
Important News from the Library Media Center
Please start planning for The Woodside Intermediate 5th Annual Character Day!
Here’s how it works: On Tuesday, April 1, 2014 (April Fool’s Day) Woodside will celebrate Character Day. The children are asked to select a character from literature and become that character for the day! The creativity we saw from the children last year was amazing! We met Tom Sawyer, Madeline, Big Nate, Cinderella, Geronimo Stilton and Amelia Bedelia. We met characters from Dr. Seuss books, the Harry Potter series, the Percy Jackson series, the Wimpy Kid series, and so, so many more! We even met the President of the United States! The day was very special for all of us at Woodside and we are very excited for this year’s Character Day! So, start your planning now… who will you be for Character Day 2014? We can’t wait to meet the new you!
Happy Reading! Mrs.Stearns, LMS
Tip of the Month… ..
Do I Tell Them the Word? We want our kids to become independent readers, but we don’t want them to become discouraged. Help your child develop some strategies to use. Here are some things you can do to encourage young readers:
• Sound it out - We want children to use this skill effectively, but many words sound differently than they are spelled. When they have some sounds but not the correct word try the next two strategies.
• Think about what you are reading. Ask what word might sound somewhat the same but might be in the story.
• Always ask if what you are reading makes sense and sounds like how you would have said something.
It is fine to sometimes tell them the word because you don’t want them to get bogged down and stop enjoying the book. If you have to tell them often, you may want to just read the book together. Reading should be fun!
Sarah Galatie – Reading Specialist
Important News from the Music Room
Fifth grade general music classes continue to learn about form. This unit will cover sonata form, the 32 bar jazz standard, theme and variations, and 12 bar blues. Next we will move on to form in vocal music.
Instrumental students are progressing in their lesson books learning new notes, symbols, and concepts every week. Their second quiz (first one playing their instruments) was recently completed and a copy of the grading sheet was given to each student to help them focus on specific areas for improvement. Those members of the volunteer WIS beginner band continue to devote their Tuesday recess period to a rehearsal to prepare for their first concert.
Third grade students recently learned the names of the lines and spaces of the treble clef by playing the Staff Game and followed up on that learning by playing the Memory Game with “wild card” questions about note names. We also had two lessons on conducting music with three and four beats per measure, learning the various signals that the conductor uses to communicate with their baton.
Sal d’Alessandro Roz Greenberg
Important News from Physical Education During the month of March, students will work through a variety of activities as we continue to improve our fitness level. Students will be spending time continuing to develop the skills of jumping rope. Students will work through a variety of challenges, stations, individual and group jumping skills. 3rd and 4th grade students will then work with the scooter boards to learn a variety of cooperative games. 5th grade students will work through a variety of “Oldie but Goodie” cooperative games for building strength and endurance. Cooperative games bring out the importance of play! Playing with friends and family is a great way to stay active, incorporate problem solving strategies, and also promote the development of social interactions. Stuck in the Mud, Capture the Flag, Hornet Tag, and Steal the Pin/Pin Knockdown are just a few of the games students will experience. Try some of these great games with your family!
Stay Active – Stay Healthy!
Sarah Turner
Important News from the Art Room
3rd Grade The third grade team is discovering the history of stamps. Through class discussion students discover how and why stamps are made. Students are able to identify what type of work a graphic designer makes and understand the different important parts of a stamp. Students are asked to create their own personal stamp. Within their design students must decide on the symbolism of their stamp. They must demonstrate control of coloring, outlining and printmaking. 4th Grade The fourth grade students have finalized their mask making. Students are introduced to the work of Faith Ringgold. Students discover Ringgold’s most famous work “Tar Beach”. Within their discussion students discover the symbolism and process in creating such a meaningful piece of artwork. Students are asked to create a painting of a favorite place. Within their painting students must exhibit control of the watercolor medium, brush and convey a narrative piece of work. 5th Grade The fifth grade students are learning about functional pieces of pottery. Students are introduced to the history of pottery. Through discussion students learn about slab, wedging and scoring. Students are required to create their choice of a functional piece of pottery. Through their pottery piece the student must exhibit control of the clay medium.
David Segarra
We thank Mrs. Rebecca Tonkinson from eesmarts for presenting a workshop on rain gauges. Earth Club members each got to create a personal rain gauge, just in time for April showers!
To learn more about citizen scientists reporting rain, check out this link:
http://www.cocorahs.org/
• We are joining the CHS Eco Club for our annual electronics drive. Start collecting your old electronics and bring them to CHS on April 26, 9am-12pm.
NEXT MEETINGS: April 2 and 9, 3:30-4:30 Lynn Kochiss
Connecticut Invention
Convention FACT SHEET Connecticut Invention Convention Celebrates 31st Anniversary Year “Kids Inventing the Future since 1983” Background: The Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC), a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is the “longest continuously operating program for children inventors” in the nation, founded in Connecticut in 1983 and now celebrating its 31st Anniversary year: Nearly 10,000 K-8 students are involved in the CIC school-based programs annually. Students compete in their schools and winners present their inventions at the state convention in May, attended by 5000 at Gampel Pavilion, hosted by the UConn School of Engineering. More than 300,000 student inventors have been created by CIC programs in 30 years CIC inventors are 50% girls CIC inventors are 20% minority students through programs in under-served schools. CIC inventors pursue entrepreneurship through patenting, investment, and commercialization. CIC’s mission is to provide students with opportunities to develop creative problem-solving techniques through inventing, innovating and entrepreneurial activities leading to greater consideration of STEM careers in high school and college. CIC’s goal is to have every child in every school become an inventor once, better twice. Our Woodside Intermediate School Invention Convention for 4th and 5th Grade Student Inventors is March 20th at 6 PM Connecticut Invention Convention is May 3rd at UConn. Marion Daniels - Enrichment
From the Curriculum Corner
The Common Core State Standards - What’s It Really About? One doesn’t need to look very far these days to find the words Common Core State Standards (CCSS) written in articles, blogs or editorials. It’s hard to know what it’s all about. The CCSS is not a test. The CCSS is not a curriculum. The CCSS is a set of standards. That’s really it! The big changes or shifts in English/Language Arts are designed to support students through their K-12 school experience to read, speak, think and write in a way that will best support their success in life learning and work beyond school. Below is a quick example of what is shifting and what you can do at home to support the home/school connection. What’s Shifting? What Can You Do
• Reading more non-fiction at each grade level.
Read non-fiction books at home. These may include a cookbook, directions to a game, a manual to put something together, etc.
• Reading challenging texts very “closely”, so they can make sense of what they read and draw their own conclusions.
Read aloud to your child and share how you dig deeper into difficult pieces by thinking aloud the process you engage in to put pieces together.
• Use evidence from the text to support their reasoning.
Ask your child to provide evidence in everyday discussions or disagreements.
• Learn to write from what they read. Encourage writing at home. This includes notes, lists, thank you cards, etc. Write together and discuss using details to support your thinking.
• Increase vocabulary including explicit instruction in academic vocabulary.
Read together as often as possible. Read multiple books about the same topic. Make up silly rhymes and word games with your children.
The Cromwell Community is known for its strong support for teaching and learning. This partnership is the foundation of helping to prepare our children to be tomorrow's leaders. For more information on the CCSS in Cromwell, please visit the district website, www.cromwell.k12.ct.us > Departments > Curriculum > Scope and Sequences – or http://www.cromwell.k12.ct.us/subsite/dist/page/curriculum-scope-and-sequences-497 Respectfully, Holly Hollander Common Core Supervisor, K-12
Family Literacy Night Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Progressive Stories during Family Literacy Night! This activity encourages logical thinking about the structure of a story, adds an element of fun to story writing, and encourages creativity…since adding just a simple sentence can lead to a crazy twist in the plot. And these stories certainly are creative! Hope you enjoy reading our two finished products!
The Snowman One morning, I was reading a book when something caught my attention. I looked up, and
there in the window I saw…a six foot snowman sledding down the hill wearing sunglasses. I did not
know how the snowman did not melt because it was summer. I looked again, it was a sand man! I
looked one more time and saw a snowman, a sand man and Jack Frost. Then a bunny jumped up out
of nowhere. It was the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny was wearing a purple fluffy hat, fat shoes and a
wig. Then he ate a bag of Doritos and ran and got sick. The snowman ate the bunny’s carrots. Then
the snowman built two more legs and stuck them on himself and became a spider snowman. The
spider snowman climbed the tallest mountain. Then he lost two legs from the heat and fell into a pit
and died….we thought! Suddenly, Olaf came and rescued him and brought him to safety! Then he put
two more legs on himself, then the snowman fell into lava and died again…BUT Jack Frost showed up
and saved the snowman! Next they went for a long walk. On the walk they came across a giant frog
who invited them to play tag. They played all day until the spider snowman melted and was a puddle.
They cried- wah, wah! Then the frog melted, too, and they were both dead now. Then a spider drank
him and ate the frog. Then it snowed again the snowman came alive again! I was so worried because I
never saw a snowman come alive again. What should I do? I am getting freaked out! Am I going to
die from the snowman? I have to run so I can stay alive…or should I say, ‘hi’ and be friends? What if
he does not like me? I am so confused and scared. Then out of nowhere, a sound rang out. I looked
behind me; however, I saw air. There was a grass patch moving all around in a circle, and it was
creeping me out! So what should I do? A platypus jumped out of the patch and started to do the
disco. It was weird! I started to run as fast as my legs could carry me, but the platypus followed me
home. What should I do?
The Letter
It was Sunday, and there shouldn’t have been a letter in the mailbox, but there it was. The letter
said that I had won a billion dollars! I was exhilarated! I ripped the package open but it did not have
any money in it. Instead there was a picture of a cute bunny, so I threw it out the window and yelled,
“Dad!” Then, all of a sudden, a bobcat showed up out of nowhere and took the picture away. Then I
chased the bobcat down the street. It climbed up a tree, but I’m afraid of heights. I went inside and
got a cat treat to lure the bobcat out of the tree. The bobcat came down to eat the treat, and I took
the letter. Then I saw one billion dollars, but it turned back into the picture. I went to the toy store
and tried to buy toys with the picture of the money but could not. Now what was I going to do with a
picture of a billion dollars? Hang it up in my room or keep trying to buy something? But then, the
bobcat ate it. Then the bobcat spit it out and I put the picture of a billion dollars in my piggy bank.
But before I knew it, a jigaree came and stole the picture from my piggybank. Where in the world did
the jigaree go? He was in the woods. I saw a flash of red and yellow out of the corner of my vision.
Then I heard a rustling noise up ahead. Then I blinked to try and regain my senses. As I opened my
eyes, I saw it. It was big, however, skinny. His eyes were beady and black as coal. He jumped out and
his hairy body scared me!
Samantha Scuicco-Grade 5 Special Education
March 2014
®
Home&SchoolWorking Together for School Success CONNECTION
© 2014 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated
“I don’t know the answer, but I can’t wait to find out!”
As a parent, you want to raise a child who sounds like that—one who is motivated to learn and takes on new challenges. Here are strategies that can help.
List of “wonders”Have your youngster write
“I wonder…” in big letters at the top of a piece of paper. Hang it on the refrigerator, and family members can add things they wonder about. Example: “Are all my fingerprints different?” Then, your child could try to find the answers (press each finger on an ink pad and onto paper and examine the prints).
Exploration boxFill a shoebox with interesting items
(mushrooms, feathers, foreign coins) and tools like a magnifying glass, pencils, cray-ons, and paper. Then, watch what your youngster does with them. She might look at a mushroom or a feather with the mag-nifying glass and sketch what she sees. Or
March weatherYou never know what
the weather will be like in March. Your child may want to wear shorts one day and a sweater the next! Put him in charge of checking the forecast each evening. Laying out appropriate clothing the night before will make mornings go more smoothly.
Review for standardized tests When your youngster takes a standard-ized test, she’ll probably be quizzed on what she learned in earlier grades. She can refresh her memory by reading library books about previous years’ top-ics (ancient Egypt, magnets). Try a non-fiction picture book by Gail Gibbons or a fact-filled story from Joanna Cole’s Magic School Bus series.
Need help? Could your family use extra support? Your child’s school counselor may be able to direct you toward resources like food pantries, health clinics, or donated clothes or school supplies. Don’t hesi-tate to ask—the counselor knows that youngsters do better in school when their needs are met.
Worth quoting“There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going.” Helen Keller
Q: Why does the Statue of Liberty stand in New York Harbor?
A: Because it can’t sit down.
Eager to learn
When I was little…
she could examine the coins’ shapes and compare the numbers that show how much they’re worth. Idea: Keep her inter-est by switching the contents frequently.
Good risksEncourage your child to take chances
when it comes to learning. Challenge her to put away the instructions for a Lego set or a train track and see what she can design. Or suggest that she try a new activity like a robotics club or a drama group at school or the library.♥
Kids love hearing about their parents’ childhoods. Use these ideas to take a trip down memory lane and strengthen your bond with your youngster.
● Point out places. If you live in or visit your home-town, show him the hospital where you were born, the first house you lived in, or the schools you attended. Do you live far from where you grew up? Check out a library book about the state or country you’re from, and read it together. Or find your hometown on Google Earth so your child can take a peek!
● Share “artifacts.” Your youngster can learn about your past by looking at your baby pictures, high school yearbook, or wedding video. Items like these will spark conversations about special days in your family’s history.♥
JUST FOR FUN
Dr. Paula M. Talty, Superintendent
© 2014 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated
To provide busy parents with practical ideas that promote school success, parent involvement,
and more effective parenting.Resources for Educators,
a division of CCH Incorporated128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630
540-636-4280 • [email protected]
ISSN 1540-5621
O U R P U R P O S E
Home & School CONNECTION® March 2014 • Page 2
My son Jackson brought home a
note saying he was talking to friends instead of listening to the teacher. He and his friends’ desks had been moved apart, but I wasn’t sure whether to punish him at home, too, so I called his teacher.
Mrs. Ross said she sends notes home so students know that parents and teachers work together to help them succeed. She wasn’t asking me to punish Jackson, but she sug-gested that I might speak with him.
When I talked to Jackson, he com-plained that his friends started the con-versations. I pointed out that he didn’t have to respond. I asked what he could do next time, and he said he should keep his eyes on the teacher and talk to his friends at recess. I also reminded
him not to start conver-sations while the teacher talks.
I’m glad his teacher told me what was hap-
pening. Now she and I will stay in touch to
help Jackson behave in the future.♥
Good classroom behavior
Encourage kindness Kindness can be contagious! Encourage
your youngster to notice good deeds that others do and remember to be kind him-self. Try these tips.
Catch the “bug.” Have your child draw a cute bug (dragonfly, ladybug) on construction paper and cut it out. When he sees a family member do something nice, he can give that person the bug. For example, maybe his older sister drove a grandparent to the grocery store without being asked, or perhaps you brought flowers
to your spouse. Then, that per-son looks for more kind acts and passes on the bug.
Look for opportunities. Suggest that your youngster think of ways to be kind at school. He could invite a stu-dent sitting alone on the bus to share a seat with him. Or he might compliment his art teacher on a bulletin board that she decorated. After
school, ask him, “What did you do today that was kind?”♥
Be a filmmaker! Making a movie can be even
more fun than watching one. Share your cell phone or cam-corder with your youngster, and let her practice writing and speaking skills with these two projects.
1. Your child can practice thinking on her feet by ad-libbing her way through a tour of your home. She could hold the camera and describe each room in a loud, clear voice. Encourage her to alternate between turning the camera on herself (“We have lived in this home for eight years”) and filming rooms and belongings (“This is my room, and those are my stuffed animals”).
2. Suggest that your youngster film a funny video. Have her recruit “actors” (sib-lings, friends). She might write a script with jokes or silly family stories, making each person’s lines a different color. Then, they can take turns filming each other.
Idea: She can share her video by holding a “premiere” for your family. Or help her upload it to a website (youtube.com, vimeo.com) and click on “privacy settings” to make sure only people she knows can watch.♥
Helping with homework Q: My daughter sometimes asks
me to help her with homework. But as her work gets more difficult, it’s harder for me to help. What can I do?
A: It’s actually okay if you’re not sure how to do the assignments. Homework shows the teacher how much your child knows, so it’s important for her to do it by herself. But if she’s stuck, there are ways you can help even if you’re unfa-miliar with the material.
For exam-ple, have your daughter teach you what she is learning. Talking about it may jog her memory or clear up her confusion.
Also, encourage her to use resources like old tests, textbook glossaries, or the Internet—she could start with links on her school website or at kids.usa.gov. Or she might call a friend who could walk her through a math problem or point out a helpful section in a social studies chapter.♥
© 2014 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated
March 2014
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Establishing good hab-its now can help an over-weight child get on the road to better health. Consider these com-monsense strategies.
Eat nutrient-dense foods
If you focus only on limiting calories, fat, and sugar, your youngster could wind up eating lots of foods that are low in the nutrients she needs. Instead, encourage her to eat healthy foods that are rich in nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. For a shop-ping list, see nutrientrichfoods.org/living-nutrient-rich/nutrient-rich-shopping-list/.
Don’t drink your caloriesOn average, Americans drink about
400 calories a day. Help your child cut back on soda, juice drinks, and fruit punch by gradually replacing those daily drinks with water. Send reusable water bottles with her when she goes to activi-ties. At home, she can drink tap water with meals and in between meals—it’s
Veggie spaghetti Whether you make spa-
ghetti sauce from scratch or pour it from a jar, you can make it healthier by adding vegetables. Heat frozen peas and carrots, and stir them into your sauce. Or add sauteed zuc-chini, onions, and mushrooms. Spoon the sauce over whole-grain pasta or—for another serving of veggies—over spaghetti squash.
Be a tourist Exploring new places is a great way to combine exercise and family time.
Drive to a nearby town, park the car, and walk
around. You might find an exciting playground, a kid-friendly museum, or a path with pretty scenery. Or look in the newspaper for festivals or flea markets. They could provide fun walk-ing adventures, too.
Helping out Let your child see that cooking is a way to help people in need. When friends or relatives are sick, make nutritious meals for them together. Your youngster can rinse produce for a salad or measure ingredients for a casserole. Idea: For someone who is seriously ill, he might help you orga-nize meals for the family on a site like mealtrain.com or lotsahelpinghands.com.
Just for funQ: What can you serve but never eat?
A: A volleyball!
My tasting book Your youngster can feel proud of tasting new
foods by making a book of his experiences. Each time he tries something, he could
sketch the food and record the date on con-struction paper. Suggest that he add “tasting notes,” too. For instance, he might write about how kiwi looks (“oval, brown, and fuzzy”) and tastes (“sweet and a little sour all at once”). He could also do what food bloggers do and snap a photo of the dish to glue on the page.
Help him hole-punch his pages and put them into a binder. Every time he sam-ples new foods, you can remind him that he’s doing research for his book!
not only healthier than sugary drinks, it’s also much cheaper.
Get plenty of exercise Make sure your youngster gets at least
60 minutes of physical activity a day. This could be in large blocks or in small bursts throughout the day. Take advantage of activities she already likes (going to parks, walking the dog). Since children follow their parents’ lead, let her see you being active, too. Find things your family will enjoy doing together, such as biking, kay-aking, or playing backyard games.
Healthy ways to lose weight
Paula M. Talty, Ed.D.Superintendent, Cromwell Public Schools
© 2014 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated
To provide busy parents with practical ways to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity for their children.
Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated
128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630540-636-4280 • [email protected]
www.rfeonline.comNutrition Nuggets™ is reviewed by a registered dietitian. Consult a physician before beginning any major change in diet or exercise.
ISSN 1935-4630
March 2014 • Page 2
How? Build time into each day for “core fun”:
● Dead cockroach. Lie on your back with your arms straight up and legs (bent out at the knees) in the air. Alternating sides,
straighten one leg and reach for it with the opposite arm (lifting
your shoulder off the ground). ● Crab race. Mark start and finish
lines. Then, each person should get into “crab position”—tummy side up, torso off the ground, and balancing on your feet and hands. Going backward, race to the finish line.
● Family ball pass. Sit in a circle with your feet out toward the center. Pass a ball from one person to the next—using only your feet. How many times can the ball go around without dropping?
Rock-and-roll These recipes for “roll ups” are
designed with kids in mind—they’re fun to make and fun to eat. Chicken. Cut up leftover chicken, and toss with chopped apples, halved grapes, and a mixture of honey and peanut or almond butter (say, 1–2 tsp. honey to 1 tbsp. nut butter). Divide onto large lettuce leaves, and roll up. Shrimp. Soak rice paper wrappers (available in grocery stores) in warm water for about 10 seconds, until soft. Lay each one flat, and add cooked shrimp, cucumber slices, and shred-ded carrot. Drizzle on a little hoisin sauce, and roll up tightly.Vegetarian. Stir together shelled eda-mame, corn (canned, drained), diced mango, diced avocado, and low-fat ranch dressing. Cut the stem from a large green leaf (collard, spinach, Chi-nese or savoy cabbage, or kale). Top the leaf with a few spoonfuls of the mixture. Tuck in the sides, and roll.
Finding the right sport
“Core fun” Why does your child need a strong core?
And what is a core anyway? Here are answers to these questions, along with activities to try.
What? The muscles around the abdo-men, pelvis, hips, and back make up the body’s core.
Why? Core muscles play a part in almost every-thing your youngster does, including sitting, standing, walk-ing, and running. Core strength leads to better posture, more energy, better digestion, and even more self-confidence.
A child with celiac Recently we found out that our
son, Josh, has celiac disease and can’t eat gluten anymore. I was worried about how to handle this, so I spoke with the school nurse.
She suggested giving Josh control over his own diet as much as possible. For instance, she said to read labels together and show him words to watch out for, such as wheat, flour, graham, grain, barley, and rye.
The nurse also advised us about what to do at school. We talked to the cafeteria manager about the school meal options for Josh and spoke with the lunchroom supervisor to make sure she knew Josh couldn’t swap food. For the classroom, we gave Josh’s teacher a bag of gluten-free treats so she’ll have something to give him when other kids are getting treats. We know that having celiac isn’t going to be easy for Josh, but we’re glad to have strategies to start with.
When it comes to sports, there is some-
thing for everyone. The key is finding an activity your child can succeed at and enjoy. These two ideas could help.
1. Let your youngster’s interests guide you. What sports does she talk about, watch, or play with friends? If she’s always running around, she might prefer a sport with more continuous movement like soccer, basketball, lacrosse, or
swimming. If she loves to dance, look at activities with more precise moves, such as gymnastics, figure skating, martial arts, or cheerleading.
2. Have your child try a sport for a season or two. If it’s not her cup of tea, she could
switch to a different one the next season. Tip: Be sure she fin-ishes the season rather than quitting. She may get comfortable as she acquires skills—and she’ll learn perseverance
and responsibility.
Whole grain cereal Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Whole grain honey bun Yogurt Juice Milk
Whole grain cereal Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Choice of WG muffin String cheese Juice Milk
Whole grain cereal Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Whole grain cereal Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Whole grain honey bun Yogurt Juice Milk
Whole grain cereal Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Choice of WG muffin String cheese Juice Milk
Whole grain cereal Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Whole grain cereal
Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Whole grain honey bun
Yogurt Juice Milk
Whole grain cereal
Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
WG bagel w/ cream
cheese or butter Yogurt Milk
First Day of Spring
Whole grain cereal
Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Whole grain cereal Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Whole grain honey bun Yogurt Juice Milk
NO SCHOOL TEACHER WORK DAY
Choice of WG muffin Yogurt Juice Milk
Whole grain cereal Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Whole grain cereal
Yogurt Fruit choice Milk
Woodside Intermediate School
March 2014
m o n d a y t u e s da y w ed ne s da y t h ur s d a y f r i da y
Breakfast price - $1.25 Reduced price - $ .30 Students who qualify for free lunch also receive breakfast free. Pre-pay your child’s breakfast at www.MyPaymentsPlus.com Milk served: chocolate & strawberry flavored skim, and 1% low fat white
Fresh or canned fruit available daily MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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Chicken nuggets Cosmic mashed potato bites Steamed carrots Wheat bread Fruit choice
Toasted cheese sandwich on wheat bread Tomato soup Romaine salad Pickle chips Fruit choice
WG pasta w/ meat sauce Crisp romaine salad Steamed green beans Wheat bread stick Fruit choice
Hot dog on a WG roll Baked beans Oven potatoes Fruit choice
WG cheese pizza Veggie bites w/ hummus Black olives Raisins or applesauce
Chicken tenders Brown rice Steamed corn Fruit choice
Breakfast for lunch French toast sticks Turkey sausage links Hash brown patty Tomato cup Juice or fruit choice
Mozzarella sticks w/marinara sauce Seasoned pasta Crisp romaine salad Steamed broccoli Fruit choice
Nacho plate - Seasoned beef and cheese sauce over tortilla chips Salsa Lettuce and tomato cup Bean salad Fruit choice
WG cheese pizza Veggie bites w/ hummus Black olives Raisins or applesauce
Chicken patty on a
WW roll Sweet potatoes Steamed corn Fruit choice
Hamburg or cheeseburger
on a WG roll Lettuce & tomato Oven potatoes Fruit choice
WG Pasta w/meat sauce
Crisp romaine salad Steamed green beans Wheat roll Fruit choice
Popcorn chicken
Mashed potatoes Steamed peas and carrots Fruit choice
First Day of Spring
WG cheese pizza
Veggie bites w/ hummus Black olives Raisins or applesauce
Chicken nuggets Oven potatoes Steamed green beans Wheat bread Fruit choice
Mozzarella sticks w/marinara sauce Seasoned pasta Crisp romaine salad Steamed broccoli Fruit choice
NO SCHOOL TEACHER WORK DAY
Mac and cheese Romaine salad Steamed broccoli Fruit choice
WG cheese pizza Veggie bites w/ hummus Black olives Raisins or applesauce
Soft beef taco wrap
with cheese Salsa Steamed corn Lettuce & tomato Fruit choice
Woodside Intermediate School
March 2014
m o n d a y t u e s da y w ed ne s da y t h ur s d a y f r i da y
Milk served: chocolate & strawberry skim, or 1% low fat white. Menu Subject To Change Breakfast is available to all students in the cafeteria every morning for $1.25. If a student is eligible for free or reduced price lunch, they are automatically approved for free or reduced price breakfast. Prepay your child’s lunch account at: www.MyPaymentsPlus.com
Alternate lunches available: Bagel with cream cheese or butter, yogurt, cheese stick, carrot sticks, and apple. Choice of tuna, ham or turkey sandwich on whole grain bread.
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