Huge shoutout to staff and families who have worked hard to keep our students connected and safe this school year. Our county, and district COVID numbers have decreased dramatically this month! Check out the dashboard: http://www.chicousd.org/News/District-Wide-Safety-Info/COVID-19-Information/2021-Community-Dashboard/index.html. Butte County has offered vaccines to our educators this month, and they are moving to the next tier. For updates visit https://www.buttecounty.net/publichealth/COVID19/vaccine or log on to Butte County's FB page every Thursday for a vaccine update. In March we celebrate National Nutrition Month, and National Sleep Awareness week. Keep scrolling for creative ways to stay safe and have fun during Spring Break as well.

-Breakfast it is the most important meal of the day. Celebrate March 8-12.

• Get your student's brains and bodies fueled with creative recipes: https://www.superhealthykids.com/recipes/
• Share your kitchen masterpiece for a chance to be featured in School Nutrition Magazine https://schoolnutrition.org/meetings/events/nsbw/2021/share-your-celebration/

• Tell Us about Your NSBW Plans for a Chance to Win $50 in prizes! Contest opens February 8, 2020.

-CUSD Nutrition Services will continue providing FREE curbside meals at all in person sites daily. For distance learning students at Oak Bridge Academy located on the Chico Mall. Meals will be available for pick up Monday-Friday from 11:00am-1:00pm. Meals for Saturdays and Sundays will be handed out on Fridays. See you there!

-Take a trip to our many local farmer's markets: https://chicofarmersmarket.com/

-Research shows family meals together not only help a child's physical health but mental as well: https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/ideas-and-advice/

-More than 1 in 4, of all children in Butte County experienced food insecurity at some point during the last year according to estimates from Feeding America. If you are in need there are many resources throughout our county:

• Food bank distribution calendar: https://www.buttecaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/TEFAP-Distribution-Schedule-2021.pdf
• Apply for CALFresh: https://www.getcalfresh.org/

It’s well known that proper sleep is essential to a child’s development. But for the 15-25% of kids and teens who struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, getting adequate rest can feel daunting.

• Tips for your students (and self) sleep health: https://worldsleepday.org/sleep-research
• How sleep effects the brain: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/healthy-sleep-tips

Families may not be able to travel to exotic destinations this Spring Break, but there are plenty of options to stay safe and be creative in our own backyard:

• Explore Bidwell Park: https://chico.ca.us/bidwell-park
• Enjoy the wildflower bloom on Table Mountain, get a permit here: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/North-Table-Mountain-ER
• Experience our national parks. Lassen is only a short drive away, and one of the least visited parks in the U.S https://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm. Also if you have a 4th grader, they are eligible for a free national park pass for the whole family. Check it out: https://www.nationalparks.org/our-work/campaigns-initiatives/every-kid-outdoors
• More staycation ideas: https://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/staycation-ideas-for-spring-break/
• Virtual field trips: https://www.weareteachers.com/best-virtual-field-trips/

Melanie Evans, mgevans@chicousd.org: Marsh Junior High , Parkview Elementary, Bidwell Junior High

Tina Collins: tcollins@chicousd.org: Emma Wilson Elementary, Little Chico Creek Elementary, Hooker Oak Elementary, Neal Dow Elementary

Michelle Neves Dean, mnevesdean@chicousd.org: Chico Senior High, McManus Elementary, Wildflower Elementary

Julie Scalet, jscalet@chicousd.org: Pleasant Valley High, Fairview, Sierra View Elementary

Julie Parker, jlparker@chicousd.org: Loma Vista, Marigold Elementary, Oakdale Elementary and Oakbridge

Cindy Steffen, csteffen@chicousd.org: Citrus Elementary, Rosedale Elementary, Chapman Elementary

Sherry Atkin, satkin@chicousd.org: Shasta Elementary, Chico Junior High, Forest Ranch