The Morgan Star News
Where stars shine bright!
Principals Note
With spring break being next week (March 15-19), many parents, caregivers and students are wondering how it’s safe to pass the time. The days off are usually a time of play and vacation, but things will again look different this year. It’s a new year, but safety is still a concern, and it’s critical that families are prepared with safe, fun activities to enjoy the time despite coronavirus.
Staycation
Turn your home into a playground of adventure with fun, in-home activities like the ones stated below that will transform home into a place of magic and wonder.
· Game Night
· Virtual Visits with family and friends
Backyard getaway
Your backyard can easily become your family’s own personal oasis with just a few slight preparations or alterations that will bring plenty of entertainment throughout spring break and beyond.
· Backyard BBQ
· Backyard play park
· Backyard camping
Inviting guests
CDC guidelines: mandate that physical contact is left to a minimum and social gatherings are avoided. There may be those who do not know they are infected or may be asymptomatic. Either way, it’s not worth infecting your household, your guests and anyone else you may come into contact with.
Travel safety
· Flying: Get tested - According to the CDC, you should get tested one to three days prior to travel. Be sure to bring your results with you, and postpone your trip if you test positive or are not sure of the results.
· Check travel restrictions - Out of country travel guidelines are still applicable. Individuals travelling into the U.S. will need a negative COVID result 3 days before flying back to the U.S. from any international destination. If you plan to travel to countries listed as a Level 2 or higher, then please be aware that staff and students will not be able to return on-site until they get tested 3–5 days after travel AND stay home for 7 days after travel. For a list of destinations and CDC travel recommendations, including risk levels, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html.
· Use safety protocols - Now is the time to put into effect all of those COVID precautions, so be sure to wear a mask, maintain a distance of six feet, wash and sanitize your hands as much as possible, and minimize contact with frequently-touched surfaces, such as handrails, buttons, and pay terminals.
Spring break has long been known as a refresher, a time to relax and recharge for the final push before summer. Still, spring break will look different this year as social distancing leave many still sequestered at home. However, spring break at home can still be a blast. The time away from study allows for countless projects and adventures that cost very little and will still present a lifetime of memories for the entire family. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
Dates to Remember
April 2nd No School
April 6th 4th grade writing STAAR
May 12th Math STAAR
May 13th Reading STAAR
May 20th Magnet Showcase
May 27th Last day of school
Schools of Choice
Schools of Choice
New students have to complete the Schools of Choice application. It is one of the most unique school systems in Texas that allows parents to send their children to the school that best serves their interests and needs.
https://www.gisdschoolsofchoice.org/apply/
The user name is the parent’s email
The password has to be created.
Tips for helping your child with test anxiety
- Ask clarifying questions. This can help your child voice their worries out loud and help them walk through their feelings.
Example: What is your biggest worry about taking a test? How do you feel when you see the test?
- Encourage Positive Self-Talk: Practice “I AM” statements with your child to help them cope when they feel themselves getting anxious during the test. Example: “I Am doing my best.” “I Am going to pass this test.” “I AM prepared.”
- Practice Relaxation Strategies and Breathing Techniques: Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body.-https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2255
Here is a list of ideas:
1. 3 Deep Breaths: Take a deep breath for yourself. Take a deep breath for your family. Take a deep breath for your community.
2. Shape Breathing: Children can trace the shape of a square or triangle on their desk or on their arm as they inhale and exhale.
3. Counting: Children can pause and count to 10 to give themselves a mental break and to help themselves refocus. -pbs.org
Emily Giffin
SEL Specialist
Certified in Yoga and Mindfulness
Spring forward without losing sleep: 5 tricks to adjusting to Daylight Saving Time with kids DST is around the corner, and sadly, there are no exemptions for the already-sleep-deprived. By: Rachel Gorton https://www.mother.ly/
Try these 5 "spring forward" tips to help kids adjust to Daylight Saving Time without losing sleep.
1. Prepare by going to bed earlier the night before
Truthfully, the concept of shifting bedtimes can feel a bit like rocket science. So, to keep it simple I recommend going to sleep earlier the night before—that way the household still wakes up feeling rested.
Some people recommend doing this for several nights before, moving bedtime earlier and earlier, but honestly I have seen this cause more confusion than good. If you focus on the night before, they still get the same amount of sleep as they normally would on the night the time change happens since our bodies naturally will wake at our normal time.
Much like traveling to a different time zone, it is going to take some time for your internal sleep clocks to adjust regardless of how prepared you are. Going to bed earlier to avoid overtired little ones is a good idea in general.
2. Encourage light during the day and darkness for sleep
Our body's internal sleep cycles (also called our circadian rhythms) are regulated by lightness and darkness, and heavily influenced by our environment. This is why many of us wake up when the sun rises and start to feel sleepy shortly after the sun sets (although many of us go to bed way past sunset).
You can help your child's 24-hour sleep cycle by exposing her to light first thing in the morning and making sure that her room is dark during naps and for bedtime. If your child's bedtime is on the earlier side, it may get harder to put her down as the days get longer, so blackout shades might be a good option in this case.
3. Keep routines consistent
As we enter a new season, schedules and activities can tend to feel a bit chaotic, and your children often experience the impacts of this the most. Even with the time shift, it is still important to stick closely to your current routine, only making minor changes if possible.
4. Try to be patient with your kids
As we all know, the effects of sleep deprivation impact the entire family. Children are just as confused about the time change as we are, and although our bodies will eventually adjust naturally, some have a harder time than others. If you notice meltdowns become a bit more frequent after the time change, try to remember that lack of sleep could be the culprit. I encourage you to set aside more quiet time and maybe even an extra nap while you all try to adjust to this new season.
5. Invest in an Ok-to-Wake! clock or another device that can help keep sleep on track
This is a great option for eager toddlers who are used to getting up and running into your room in the morning. Having a child-friendly alarm clock that turns green to indicate it is time to get up can make a big difference to a child trying to adjust.
The great thing is, if you already have an early morning riser, the time change will actually help to shift those early morning wakings to a more manageable time!
Your children are more resilient than you might think so try not to worry too much about the impact daylight saving time will have. Our bodies know what to do, and sometimes the best thing is to just go with it and hope for the best! You've got this.