News from RStar
Summer Vacation!
PBIS End of School Year Video
6th Grade Graduation Video
Mindfulness Challenge
School Supply Lists
New No-Birthday Treat Guidelines
Our elementary school is implementing a “no birthday treats” guideline. This decision was made after much thought and discussion at the building and district level. There are a variety of reasons why we made this change, the main one being to coordinate with our district’s wellness policy on making healthy choices, in alignment with federal regulations.
Other rationale for restricting treats at school include the following concerns:
- Allergies: Due to the increasing number of students with food allergies, schools have had to be extremely careful with any food items entering the school building. It is a safety issue and something that we need to take very seriously.
- Promoting Healthy Lifestyle: The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six school-age children are overweight; triple the proportion in 1980. The agency has projected that one in three children born in 2000 will eventually develop a form of diabetes linked to being overweight.
- Equity: Some parents are not able to provide treats for their child on birthdays or special days because of financial hardships.
The purpose of this change is to assure a school environment that promotes and protects students’ health, well- being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating, physical activity and healthy choices. This change brings together current research to create guidelines that help us with healthy choices for all of our students. If you are interested in reading the district’s policy on wellness, it is available on the District website.
Classroom teachers will continue to recognize and celebrate children on their special day in special ways.
Thanks in advance for your flexibility and for caring about the health of our students.
FOOD-FREE WAYS TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS AT SCHOOL:
- Get a special “recess pass” and choose the main activity the class does at recess time.
- Bring in your favorite book and the teacher will read it to the class.
- Give a gift to the class, such as a book (write an inscription inside), a toy for the play area, or a game.
- Be “VIP of the week”: Make a timeline of your life, have your parents read to the class one day, and have other students interview you about your favorite things.
- Get a card from the class. All the students sign it saying what they like most about you.
- Get a special sticker or crown to wear at school all day.
- provide a special craft for the class that day.
- Pick out of a birthday prize box that includes fun pencils, temporary tattoos, stickers, and small toys.
Check Us Out On Social Media To See What's Happening @RStar!
Website: http://risingstar.smsd.org/
Location: 8600 Candlelight Lane, Lenexa, KS 66215
Phone: (913) 993-4500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RStar512/
Twitter: @RStar512