Tainter Today
October 8, 2021
Greetings Tainter Families
We have officially completed our first month of school. I want to take this opportunity to once again welcome all returning families as well as new families to Tainter Elementary. We are so happy to have everyone back here at Tainter.
At the end of September, Our Students completed FASTBridge assessments in the areas of Reading and Math. These assessments are given 3 times a year and will help us determine specific academic needs of students.
As we transition into October we will continue to focus on routines. The kids are doing an excellent job of settling in. Our morning drop off is going very smoothly. We are still however working on speeding up afternoon pick up times. A few reminders that parents can do to help:
If you can stay in your car we recommend doing so and we will bring your child to your car.
If you need to get out to assist your child, please do so as quickly as possible.
When in line, please pull up as far as you can so that we can get as many cars in the pick up area.
Our goal is to keep your children as safe as possible while making sure you can get through these lines as quickly as possible. Thank you for understanding.
Looking ahead to November, we will have Parent Teacher conferences. This will be a great opportunity to talk with your child(ren)’s teacher about academic growth and goals for the year. More information about conferences will be coming out soon.
I appreciate your continued support and encouragement during this unprecedented time. I am so proud to say that we are off to a wonderful start to the 2021-22 school year.
Respectfully,
Joann Walker
Principal
TAINTER WAY
How did we do at Tainter in September?
Warrior Way Tickets
This past month our students began earning Warrior Way tickets for demonstrating positive behavior and following the Warrior Way expectations of:
BE Safe
BE Respectful
BE Responsible
In a two week period the students earned a total of 695 tickets! Way to go, Tainter Warriors!
September Celebration
When students earned tickets in September, they used their ticket(s) to vote for one of three celebrations. Their choices were:
Extra Recess: 175
Music at Recess: 95
Stuffed Animal to School: 425
With that, Stuffed Animal to School has won for the month of September! Your child was able to bring a backpack sized stuffed animal to school on Friday, October 8th.
What is Check In/Check/out
CICO is a behavioral intervention that delivers additional support to students, through increased positive reinforcement, with behavioral needs. At its most basic level, CICO is an opportunity for a student and a greeter to work together to improve behavior. If your child qualifies for CICO due to ongoing behavioral concerns you can communicate with your child's classroom teacher.
October Celebration Choices
This month Tainter students will get to choose from three new choices after each time they earn a Warrior Way ticket. Those choices are:
Hat Day
Pajama Day
Favorite Color Day
Kindergarten
LETTERS, NUMBERS, AND FINE MOTOR, OH MY!
Kindergarteners have been busy! We have been learning how to write our names, identify letters, shapes, and numbers. Our bodies and minds are growing so much as we learn to be more independent and solve small problems. Being a good friend and identifying our feelings have helped us transition into full time students. Fall art has begun to decorate our hallways too!
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
Nurses Desk
Preventing Childhood Obesity: 5 Things You Can Do at Home
About 1 in 5 American children has obesity. Compared to children with healthy weight, children with overweight or obesity are at a higher risk for asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Children with obesity are also more likely to experience bullying, social isolation, depression, and lower self-esteem. While there is no simple solution, there are many ways parents and caregivers can help children reach a healthy weight.
Having a healthy diet can help children get the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development, and help them reach a healthy weight. A healthy diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or fat-free dairy.
Unfortunately, very few people get enough fruits and vegetables. In 2017, just 2% of high school students ate enough vegetables, and 7% ate enough fruit. Help your kids eat the rainbow: make half of their plate fruits and vegetables for optimal health.
Move More Compared to those who are inactive, physically active youth have stronger muscles and better cardiovascular fitness. They also typically have lower body fat and stronger bones. Regular physical activity in childhood also reduces the risk of depression. Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day – try these tips to help your kids move moreexternal icon.
Slow Down on Sugar
Be aware of your child’s growth.
Learn how obesity is measured in children, and use CDC’s Child and Teen BMI Calculator to screen your child for potential weight issues. Most of us eat and drink too many added sugars, which can lead to health problems such as weight gain and obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Children under age 2 should have no added sugar in their diet at all, and children over age 2 should keep sugars to less than 10% of their daily calories.
A good way to slow down on sugar is by avoiding sugary drinks like soda, juice drinks, and flavored milk. Help your kids rethink their drink by offering water, plain low-fat milk, or 100% juice instead.
Reduce Screen Time: Adults and children spend over 7 hours a day being sedentary – and that doesn’t include time spent sleeping! Many of these sedentary hours are spent sitting or laying down on a phone, tablet, or computer; watching TV; or playing video games (also known as screen time).
Too much screen time has health consequences: it’s associated with poor sleep, weight gain, lower grades in school, and poor mental health in youth. When you reduce screen time, you free up time for family activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends creating a family media planexternal icon, and has examples such as keeping meal times tech-free, charging devices at night outside the bedroom, turning screens off an hour before bed, and many more.
Sleep Well
Good sleep is critical to prevent type 2 diabetes, obesity, injuries, poor mental health, and problems with attention and behavior. Did you know that children 6-12 years old need 9-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night and youth 13-18 need 8-10 hours? Too little sleep is associated with obesity partly because inadequate sleep can make us eat more and be less physically active. Help your children sleep better by making sure they’re active during the day, removing screens from their bedrooms, and setting a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends.
Kids imitate the adults in their lives. Be a role model for them by adopting these healthy habits, and they will too! Finally, remember that obesity is a complex disease with many contributing factors. Learn more about what states and communities can do to make healthy and active living accessible for everyone.
School-Based Mental Health Services
Did you know…..
Rice Lake Area School District partners with community mental health providers to provide school-based mental health services for students.
In addition, the district employs our own mental health therapist.
Students are seen at school by a licensed mental health therapist.
Benefits of school-based services
Removes transportation barriers
Reduces time out of class
Reduces or eliminates insurance barriers due to lack of or limited coverage for mental health services
Increases the number of students who receive mental health supports
Better attendance to appointments
If you are interested in referring a student for school based mental health, please contact Amanda Brown.
715-234-9007 Ext. 5530 or by email browna@ricelake.k12.wi.us
Music Concerts!!
Kindergarten Winter Concert
December 10, 2pm, Tainter Gymnasium
2nd Grade Winter Concert
December 16, 6pm, High School Auditorium
4th Grade Winter Concert
December 16, 7pm, High School Auditorium
1st Grade Spring Concert
April 5, 6pm, High School Auditorium
3rd Grade Spring Concert
April 5, 7pm, High School Auditorium