ELEMENTARY NEWSLETTER

Dear Haskin Elementary School parent;

Our school is participating in a school climate survey conducted by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) at the University of Colorado. The purpose of this survey is to identify the strengths and needs of our school regarding school safety and violence prevention. The results will help us identify areas needing improvement and develop strategies to address those needs. In addition to surveying the students, we want to gain the perspective of all parents and guardians who have children who attend our school.

The survey is anonymous and is taken through a secure online server. Your participation is completely voluntary. The survey can be completed in approximately 15 minutes. Only one survey per family needs to be completed. Our goal is that at least 80% of households complete the survey. Response rates below 80% cannot be considered representative of the total population of parents and guardians.

It is very important that once you log in to the survey that you complete it in one sitting. Logging out of the survey will end the session, and you will not be able to log back in to the same survey in order to complete it.

To participate in the survey, go to the following link:

https://www.safe-schools.org/school-climate/parent/?b=682699-59261

If you do not have access to a computer to complete the survey, please let me know and we will make arrangements to give you access to one of the school’s computers. If you need to take the survey in Spanish, you will see links in the upper right hand corner of the survey page for both English and Spanish.

You will have approximately two weeks to complete the survey. After all the data has been collected, researchers at CSPV will analyze the data and issue a summary report.

Thank you for your participation in this important survey!

Sincerely,

Jared Morgan

Principal, Haskin Elementary School

You will receive a $5 K&J gift certificate for participation in the survey. If you do the survey online at home, just screenshot that you completed it and bring a copy to Brisa Macias. The parent engagement coordinator, at the Elementary. You can also come to the school to take the survey with Brisa. If you do the paper copy that is enclosed, bring the copy to Brisa. She can give your certificate at that time.

Center School District families- Please take a minute to complete the survey about next year's school calendar. We appreciate your input. The link is below. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6P6OL6d8sLcU2QJubvGaCuR2Y0wA7Mc9e4qhfoFzCM_JFMg/viewform?usp=sf_link

First, I want to thank all of you who came to see me for parent teacher conferences. Can you believe we are almost to the end of the 3rd quarter, and spring break coming up.

The last couple of weeks have been working on dance unit. We did some traditional dances, and a whole lot of newer dances that students know. They have been working hard on muscular endurance assessments and begin the cardiovascular assessments part of physical education. Grades 1st, 3rd and 5th will be tested on basketball dribble, knowledge assessment, Affective assessments, and Pacer test. These are assessments are continued with University of Northern Colorado School of Sport and Exercise Science.

We will also look forward to trying to get outdoors to do some Frisbee golf and activities with warmer weather. Once again, I’m am grateful to be working with your students and promoting fitness for life. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me.

Best Regards,

Joe M. Garcia

Hi, my name is Kristin Enquist. I am the new social emotional specialist at Haskin Elementary. I have my M.A. in Education and have been a teacher for over 13 years. My family and I moved to the San Luis Valley because it is our favorite place in Colorado. We love hiking, skiing, climbing, and the Sand Dunes. I am so grateful to be part of a team that is loving and helping your children thrive.

Free Dental Screenings

The dental hygienist from Mobile Smiles will be here March 14th for free dental exams and fluoride varnish for students in PK-12th grade. Permission forms will be sent home with elementary students next week. Middle School and High School students can pick one up in the office or print one here: https://sites.google.com/center.k12.co.us/schoolnursecorner/dental-screenings?authuser=0

Test-to-Stay

We are also implementing an optional Test-to-Stay program. If students are exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 they will have the opportunity to test and stay in school instead of quarantining. A box of home tests will be sent home if the student enrolls to be used as needed- results will just need to be reported in the NAVICA app. Information will be sent home with all elementary students. Middle school and high school students can pick a consent form up from the office or find them at https://sites.google.com/center.k12.co.us/schoolnursecorner/test-to-stay?authuser=0

Mobile Vaccine Bus is coming back to Center Schools!

The COVID-19 vaccine bus will be parked at Center Schools on March 9th from 10am-6pm. Come get your free COVID-19 vaccines and/or boosters. Boosters are now approved for anyone 12 and older. To be considered fully vaccinated and avoid quarantine you need a booster dose 5 months after your second COVID-19 vaccine

March is National Nutrition Month!

As parents, you can do a lot to help your children learn health eating habits and maintain a healthy weight. Involving them in meal preparation and cooking is a great way to motivate them to try new foods and is a good way to spend time together as a family.

What is a “healthy” diet?

· It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free milk products.

· It includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.

· It is low is saturated fats, trans-fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars.

· It stays within your daily calorie needs.

Focus in Healthy Food Choices: Choose the GO, SLOW, and WHOA foods:

· GO foods are the lowest in fats and added sugar. They are nutrient dense with a better source of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients important to health.

o Examples: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry and fish, bean, and egg whites/egg substitutes.

o Eat these foods the most.

· SLOW foods are higher in fats, added sugar and calories.

o Examples: veggies with added fat, white flour, low-fat mayo, 2% milk products, peanut butter, pizza, baked chips, and mac and cheese.

o Eat these foods SOMETIMES.

· WHOA foods are highest in fats and sugars. They are calorie dense food and low in vitamins and minerals and other things that your body needs.

o Examples: Whole-milk products, fried foods, baked goods, candy, soda, chips, creamy salad dressings and sugary cereals.

o Eat these food once in a while in small potions.

Bon Appetite!!