Hello Everyone!

We hope that Spring Break was memorable and fun for all faculty, staff,and students this month. I hope all of you took full advantage of the much needed time off.

At this time we would like to thank our Huntsville City Schools community for participating in National School Breakfast Week 2022 (NSBW). Our abilty to provide FREE school meals enhanced the experience of NSBW and allowed all students to take part in the event. We look forward to executing NSBW 2023 next year.

As Spring approaches it is time to prepare for the Summer and enter the last 9 weeks of the school year. These last few weeks will involve several projects which may include testing, sporting events, and plans for graduation. We cannot wait to play a role in all of these upcoming activities. We appreciate all of you and please enjoy the rest of your day!

-H. Ward

What is CACFP Week?

CACFP Week is a national education and information campaign sponsored annually the third week of March by the National CACFP Sponsors Association. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program works to combat hunger. The CACFP brings healthy foods to tables across the country for children in child care centers, homes, and afterschool programs as well as adults in day care. Under the CACFP program, The Huntsville City Schools Child Nutrition Pogram provides afterschool snacks to all students who are 19 yeras or age or under at 29 campuses.

Federal bill leaves out free school meal waivers

Federal child nutrition waivers that would extend free school meals for all students and higher reimbursement rates were not included in an omnibus spending package advancing through Congress. "We desperately need these waivers to manage unyielding supply chain disruptions and labor shortages, cover rapidly escalating costs and remain viable to support our communities," Beth Wallace, president of the School Nutrition Association, said in a statement. "Congress' failure to act will undoubtedly cause students to go hungry and leave school meal programs in financial peril."

Full Story: NBC News (3/9), Politico (3/9), FoodService Director (3/9)

Predictive factors can help peanut OIT in preschoolers

A multivariate logistic regression model found that older age, a higher baseline specific IgE, a grade two or higher reaction from pre-oral immunotherapy and lower eliciting dose in preschoolers could predict a reaction of grade two or higher during peanut oral immunotherapy. Findings presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Meeting also noted that 35.7% of preschoolers in the study had a grade two or higher reaction, while 1.19% had a grade four reaction during OIT.

Full Story: Healio (free registration) (3/7)

Special meals mark National School Breakfast Week

School nutrition professionals in Connecticut's East Hampton Public Schools have been serving special meals to celebrate National School Breakfast Week, including a fruit bar and breakfast buffet at some schools. The celebration comes as district officials continue to advocate for an extension of federal free school meal waivers.

Full Story: WTIC-TV (Hartford, Conn.) (3/10)

By CAROL BAINBRIDGE Updated on 02/17/22

Fact checked by SARAH SCOTT

March is the month when spring officially begins and Daylight Savings takes root typically the second Sunday in the month. It can be a dramatic month with sometimes wild and shifting weather as Mother Nature tries to shed her winter coat. But as the seasons change from winter to spring, it's the perfect time to review the special days, holidays, awareness weeks, and observances for March.

You and your family can use March as an inspiration for learning more about health challenges and healthy habits. This is also a great month of the year to explore historical facts, interesting people, new concepts, hobbies, and all the things that make teenagers so awesome. And, of course, Easter and Passover sometimes occur in March and other times they don't.

FEATURED VIDEO

19 Timelapses Perfect for Plant Lovers

31 Reasons to Celebrate in March

Here are all the special days and observances you can celebrate in March, from silly to serious and everything in between.

March Daily Holidays and Observances

March 1: National Peanut Butter Lover's Day

March 2: Dr. Seuss's Birthday, National Read Across America Day

March 3: World Wildlife Day, World Book Day

March 4: National Hug a G.I. Day, National Grammar Day, World Obesity Day, Employee Appreciation Day

March 5: National Day of Unplugging* (first Friday of every March)

March 6: National Dentist's Day, National Oreo Cookie Day

March 7: National Cereal Day

March 8: International Women's Day

March 9: National Meatball Day

March 10: National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

March 11: Johnny Appleseed Day

March 12:Plant a Flower Day, Genealogy Day

March 13: National K-9 Veterans Day

March 14: National Pi Day, Learn About Butterflies Day, National Potato Chip Day

March 15: The Ides of March

March 16: Freedom of Information Day, National Artichoke Day, National Panda Day

March 17:St. Patrick's Day, Absolutely Incredible Kid Day* (third Thursday of every March)

March 18: National Supreme Sacrifice Day, National Biodiesel Day

March 19: National Poultry Day

March 20: Equinox Earth Day, First Day of Spring*, International Day of Happiness

March 21: National Teenager Day, International Day of Forests, World Down Syndrome Day, World Poetry Day

March 22: World Water Day

March 23: World Meteorological Day, National Puppy Day, American Diabetes Alert Day

March 24: World Tuberculosis Day, National Cocktail Day

March 25: Tolkien Reading Day, International Waffle Day

March 26: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day, National Spinach Day

March 28: Respect Your Cat Day

March 29: National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

March 30: I am in Control Day, Take a Walk in the Park Day, National Doctors' Day

March 31: World Backup Day

March's Birthstones

March has two birthstones, not unlike some of other months. Aquamarine is the first birthstone for the month, which symbolizes youth, health, and hope. Bloodstone, which looks very different from aquamarine, is a type of quartz known for its fiery flecks of red, representing strength and stealth.

March Weekly Holidays and Observances

Read an E-Book Week* (March 6-12)

National Foreign Language Week* (March 6-12)

Celebrate Your Name Week* (March 7-13)

Sleep Awareness Week* (March 13-19)

National Bubble Week* (March 20-26)

Act Happy Week* (March 21-26)

International Brain Awareness Week* (March 14-20)

World Folklore Tales and Fables Week* (March 20-26)

National Poison Prevention Week* (March 20-26)

Tsunami Preparedness Week* (March 21-26)

March Monthly Holidays and Observances

Women's History Month

National Deaf History Month (March 13-April 15)

National Craft Month

National Optimism Month

Honor Society Awareness Month

National Foreign Language Month

Irish American Heritage Month

National Ethics Awareness Month

Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science and Engineering Month

Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month

National Cheerleading Safety Month

National Kidney Month

National Nutrition Month

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Save Your Vision Month, Workplace Eye Wellness Month

Trisomy Awareness Month

Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

Reference:March Holidays and Observances (thespruce.com)

Remithia Strickland 3/4

Wonda Miles 3/7

Maggie Daniel 3/10

Maria Boyzo 3/11

Jackie Pruitt 3/15

Semyra Sallings 3/20

Pam Horton 3/21

Elsa Santos 3/26

Luzviminda Arnold 3/27

Jaima Hicks 3/27

Bobbie Humphrey 3/28

Paula Elkins 3/28

Kim Ferguson 15 years

Keith Cantrell 9 years