Blue Ash Elementary
December 6, 2019
Thank you!
We filled up the gift box...
Emptied the box and filled it again....
And yet again....
Upcoming Dates:
DECEMBER:
9th - MAP testing this week *Make sure your children are rested so they can show what they know! :)
19th - Last day for students - Winter break begins
JANUARY:
6th - Students return
20th - Martin Luther King day - No School
CogAT Testing
ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPTIONAL TESTING FOR
IDENTIFICATION OF GIFTED STUDENTS
Please note it is the parents' responsibility to provide transportation to and from Maple Dale on morning of testing.
An optional administration of the CogAT for gifted service will be offered on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at Maple Dale Elementary School from 9:00-12:00. Please note parents are responsible for transportation to and from testing. Ensure the correct parent email is entered as this is the email the district will use for communication. Thank you!
An optional administration of the CogAT for gifted services will be offered on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at Maple Dale Elementary School from 9:00-12:00. Please note parents are responsible for transportation to and from testing. Thank you!
Gratitude at Blue Ash Elementary
According to the Oxford Dictionary, gratitude is “The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” The BAE Health and Wellness committee’s initiative for the month of December is gratitude.
Gratitude journals will be introduced school-wide. Each teacher will determine how best to incorporate gratitude journals in their classroom and/or in students’ take-home materials.
Benefits of Gratitude Dr. Robert Emmons, a leading expert on gratitude, found that when people regularly engage in gratitude, they experience measurable psychological, physical and interpersonal benefits:
- Feel better about their lives overall
- Experience higher levels of positive emotions like optimism, enthusiasm, love, and happiness
- Are kinder and more generous to others
- Have fewer physical problems including pain
- Exercise more regularly and eat healthier
- Sleep better
- Visit the doctor more regularly for checkups
- Feel less stressed
- Able to cope with stress more effectively and recover more quickly from stressful situations
- Live longer–on average, being thankful adds 7 years to our lives!
Keeping a gratitude journal on a daily basis helps students achieve:
- Higher grades
- Higher goals
- More satisfaction with relationships, life, and school
- Less materialism
- More willingness to give back
Gratitude at home and in the community
There are many online resources to support further exploration at home, including these ideas:
10 simple Activities to Teach Gratitude,
Gratitude Activities for Kids
The Wellness Committee is thankful for our Blue Ash Elementary community of families, teachers, staff and students!
Healthy Sleep Habits
Sleep is an essential, but often overlooked part of childhood development. As parents we know to focus on healthy eating, exercise, and safety habits with our children, but we can easily lose sight of the importance of sleep and rest. The following information is provided by the experts at Cleveland Clinic:
If your child wakes up before the alarm clock (even if you wish they didn't), it’s a good sign he or she is getting adequate sleep. But if you set three alarms and still have to drag your child out of bed in the morning, it’s time to work on creating some better sleep habits, as he or she may not be getting enough sleep.
The start of school is a critical time to get kids adjusted to a consistent sleep schedule. Most children become used to staying up a little later and sleeping in more frequently during the summer, but as the school year gets under way, it’s important to move bedtime up and get back into a routine.
Inadequate sleep is a frequent problem that worsens as school starts, and it’s a problem that leads to tired kids and tired parents — a very unhealthy combination.
How much sleep does a kid need?
School-aged children (5 to 12 years old) need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night, says pediatric sleep specialist Vaishal Shah, MD. But many children get only 7 to 8 hours per night — sometimes even less.
Studies have linked sleep deprivation with mood swings and reduced cognitive function, including concentration difficulties, lower test scores and a drop in overall school performance. Poor sleep also is associated with poor eating habits and obesity.
“Many parents are sleep-deprived themselves and think the symptoms of sleep deprivation are completely normal,” Dr. Shah says.
As a result, they aren’t even aware their children are not getting enough shut-eye.
To determine if your child gets enough sleep, ask yourself these questions:
- Does my child need to be awakened three to four times before actually getting out of bed?
- Does my child complain of being tired throughout the day?
- Does my child take an afternoon nap?
- Does my child need catch-up sleep on the weekends?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then, simply put, your child is not getting enough sleep. Not only can your child’s behavior and mood improve with more sleep, but getting more snooze time can help with performance at school as well.
8 easy tips for healthier sleep habits
- Aim for a bedtime that allows your child to get at least 10 to 11 hours of sleep. If your child is not going to bed early enough, make bedtime earlier by 15 to 20 minutes every few days.
- Set a regular sleep schedule. Your child’s bedtime and wake-up time shouldn’t vary by more than 30 to 45 minutes between weeknights and weekends.
- Start scheduling a regular wake-up time one week before school starts.
- Create a consistent bedtime routine (yes, even for older children) that is calming and sets the mind for sleep.
- Turn off electronic screens at least 60 minutes before bedtime.
- Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks, particularly in the second half of the day.
- Help your child get ready for sleep by making sure he or she is getting enough physical activity throughout the day. Aim for at least one full hour of physical activity. “Outdoor play, particularly in the morning, is helpful because exposure to natural light helps keep your child’s circadian rhythm in sync,” Dr. Shah says.
- As with many habits, it’s essential to set a good example by making sleep a priority for yourself.
Survive the mornings
Even with a good night’s slumber, parents can agree that mornings during the school year can be pretty chaotic. Still, a little pre-planning can help make the early mornings go more smoothly.
A couple days before school starts, run through the morning routine with your children to make sure there’s enough time to get dressed, eat breakfast and get out the door. It’s also extremely helpful the night before to check a few items off your morning to-do list, such as packing lunches, setting out school clothes and making sure backpacks are stocked and ready to go.
When it comes to figuring out a healthy sleep schedule for kids, it’s necessary to note that a significant proportion of children will have difficulty with sleep at some point during their childhood. To an extent, this is developmentally normal, Dr. Shah says. However, there is a subset of children who have sleep disorders and should seek medical care.
When to see the pediatrician
Here are some reasons to take your child to the doctor to discuss sleep concerns:
- Your child seems to have excessive fears or anxiety around going to sleep.
- Snoring that is loud or disruptive.
- Frequent unexplained nighttime awakenings.
- Nighttime bedwetting that persists past the age of 7.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, in spite of adequate hours of sleep.
This post is based on one of a series of articles produced by U.S. News & World Report in association with the medical experts at Cleveland Clinic.
PTO INFORMATION
School for Scholars – Help Wanted!!
The PTO is very excited to bring back School for Scholars, BAE’s much loved after-school enrichment program!
We are in need of SFS Instructors. If you have a talent to share and are available on Monday or Tuesday afternoons (3:30-5p)
2020 School for Scholars Dates
January 27, 28
February 3, 4,10, 11, No Class on 17 and 18, 24, 25
March 2, 3, 9, 10
We are interested in having a wide variety of fun and/or educational classes. Possible classes could include (but are not limited to): arts/crafts, dance, music, sports, games, foreign language, etc… The list goes on & on!
If you have any interest or know someone that fits the description (including BAE Parents, Staff or Sycamore HS students) Please fill out the Google Doc https://tinyurl.com/baesfs20 by Tuesday, December 16, 2019.
Blue Ash Directory
Below is a link to the Blue Ash Elementary directory. This year, the directory is being distributed through a google sheet, which allows you to save to your electronic device for easy access.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16izph0dxi-Aq2cqmA4R9I9eo_xdeIO_P7kxvvZ4wHEY/edit?usp=sharing
DISTRICT INFORMATION
Part Time Job Opportunity
The Sycamore HS PTO is looking for an individual to serve as the store manager and merchandise buyer for the Aves Hangar Bookstore and Spirit Shop, located on the school’s campus, anticipated to begin mid to late January 2020. This is a new position and will replace the role currently held by volunteer managers.
Retail experience and knowledge of sales and marketing principles are necessary. This is a contract position, with an average expected work-load of 20 hours/week. Schedule is somewhat flexible. Incentive opportunities are also available.
For more information on responsibilities, time commitment, requirements, etc, please visit: https://www.sycamoreschools.org/Page/3365
ADDITIONAL FLYERS
Holiday Store
LUNCH MENU
LUNCH START TIMES
Grade 2 - 11:45
Kindergarten - 12:00
Grade 3 - 12:30
Grade 1 - 12:50