Another sign of spring is the culmination of our Place-Based Learning (PBL) projects that are happening at every grade level. I've tried to give you a flavor of the wonderful learning experiences in the photos below and stay tuned for more PBL outdoor learning! Here's a big shout out to the North Olympic Salmon Coalition, Community Wellness Project, Chimacum School District, and the American Association of University Women that have been helping us support these high-quality learning experiences!

I hope you'll consider volunteering in your child's classroom and in our school so you can see the wonderful spring energy for yourself. It's been way too long since we've had the daily volunteers we hosted pre-pandemic, and my goal is to get as many of you as possible back into our amazing classrooms. To volunteer, all you need to do is to fill out the free background & volunteer form found on our district's website and bring in your driver's license and vaccination card for verification. These forms are good for two years, so luckily it's not something that needs to be done that often.

Next week we will be starting the “Smarter Balanced Assessment” with students in 3rd through 6th grade. This is a statewide test for all 3rd through 9th graders and the results are used to ensure that students across the state are receiving appropriate instruction according to the state standards. Classroom teachers are preparing their students for the test by reminding them about key components of the work they will be asked to do. You can best support your student’s success by ensuring they are getting a good night’s sleep and having a balanced breakfast.

Sincerely,

Jason

I know we've all heard these tips before, but as our cold/flu/covid season seems to be in full swing, I thought I'd remind us all of a few tips to help stay healthy:

• Good sleep is crucial. Try not to use any screens for 30-60 minutes before bedtime. The light suppresses melatonin, which can make it harder to fall asleep, and harder to get good sleep. Active screen time, such as video games, can affect sleep even more.
• According to the CDC, kids 6-12 years old need 9-12 hours of sleep a night!
• Eat vegetables and fresh fruits at every meal, and try them for snacks- the more colors, the better!
• Try to limit your refined sugar intake to less than 10% of your calories and reduce your intake of processed foods (watch for that hidden sugar!).
• Stay well-hydrated, skip the sugary drinks, and try to drink some plain water during the day.
• Doing something active during the day can help decrease stress and help you get a better night's sleep.
• Try to decrease stress and/or do a stress-relieving activity each day, such as coloring, yoga, meditation, a hot bath, or fun book.
• You can talk to your medical provider about what vitamins may be helpful for you. If you feel you are constantly sick or getting sick more often than others around you, it may be worth talking to your provider about possible medical reasons, such as iron deficiency, vitamin D or other deficiencies, and other possible underlying causes.
• Wash your hands throughout the day, especially after activities that included touching things that others might have touched- stair railings, grocery items, door handles, gym equipment, etc... Try to remember to wash your hands before touching your face.
• Getting outdoors can help decrease stress and boost your immune system! Try an after-school walk, play at the beach, or play in a yard. As the weather warms, we can cook and eat outside, too!
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May you stay well!

Nurse Reina