STC Newsletter

***This schedule remains flexible for specific student and family needs and is subject to change. If you'd like to meet at another time, please call the Family Advocate for an appointment, 612-202-7366.

Anytime is a good time to consider your health and nutrition. National Nutrition Month began in the 1970s as National Nutrition WEEK, but as interest grew, it became National Nutrition MONTH, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year's theme is Beyond the Table-relating nutrition to the farm to fork movement, food distribution of groceries and farmer's markets, home food safety and safe storage practices. What better time than Spring to consider planting a garden or growing a few vegetables in a patio pot or window planter. During March everyone is encouraged to make informed choices about food choices and choosing physical exercise to stay healthy. Beyond the Table campaign also includes the ways and where we eat, around the dinning room table, on the go, at a restaurant, at school and work or at a special event or game. Click here for 50 ways you and your family or students can Celebrate National Nutrition Month!

The "feelings thermometer" pictured below is provided by the Wisconsin Office of Children's Metal Health. Wisconsin's OCMH supports children's mental health by aligning with child and family services, resources, advocates and mental health programs to provide resources like this. A model that is helping both children adults identify emotions and develop skills to manage them. You may find other models on the internet from various sources, but I selected this one because it is FREE and offers 3 supports-1. Ways to identify emotions visually. 2. Matching words with emotions and feelings. 3. Suggesting healthy ways to manage feelings and emotions.

This thermometer works much like a fever thermometer when you think of hot and cold. The color codes range from blue (calm) to red (furious) and get warmer as your emotions or feelings change or get heated up. Even young children can identify with the emojis. Adults can use them to help kids identify the feeling or emotions so that they can talk about it and discover an activity that may help them manage it.

Simply print and post it on the fridge for all to see or share it with all family members to keep handy on their mobile device. Start referring to this 2-3 times each day. Make a habit of checking in with your family.

Families may wish to give this a try over Spring Break as they spend more time together and prepare students for the final 9 weeks of school going into summer break. Teachers may want to partner with parents and try it with their students in the classroom too.

Consistency creates habits. Habits build character!

Students in Mrs. Weiche's pre-school classes learned the basics of handwashing hygiene in class last Tuesday. All students know what it takes to be a Super Hero Germ Buster because they know when it is important to wash their hands so that germs don't spread. Each student practiced the 5 steps in handwashing- scrubbing for 20 seconds- 1. Wet Hands. 2. One pump of soap. 3. Scrub for 20 seconds (count or sing ABC's) 4. Rinse well with warm water. 5. Dry, dry, dry. Using the Glo-bug black light, students could see how tough it can be to wash some germs off. Some washed their hands more than once because they could see if the germs glowed and they needed more hand washing practice, or if they did a great job sending those tough germs down the drain. Each student received a Super Hero sticker when their hands were clean. Ask them what their "super power" is..... Hand washing is still a valuable skill and the number one way to keep germs away and prevent illnesses.

If you are a student, single adult, or a family with minimal income and deductions seeking assistance to file your income tax return, help is available! K-State Research and Extension in Marshall County and the RSVP office, both in Marysville are offering FREE tax assistance by appointment. Call K-State Research and Extension, 785-562-3531 or RSVP at 785-562-2154 to schedule your appointment.

Many have asked or inquired recently about the future of the Schools That Care program. Unfortunately, USD#380 will no longer participate in the Schools That Care program after July 31, 2024 due to necessary budget priorities. USD #498 is working with the Family Advocate to determine ways to embrace and continue the Schools That Care Program in the future. To be honest, we don't know exactly what it will look like yet, but we are hopeful and determined to continue serving the needs of students and families.

Thank you to all the donors and others who have contributed and supported the program since it's conception in 2018 when the School-Business-Education Consortium in Frankfort started the Schools That Care program with a HRSA grant. Nearly 4,000 student and family needs have been met during the past 6 years. It has been a pleasure to serve students and families as your Family Advocate since 2019, and I have personally been blessed to work along side wonderful teachers and staff.

Please continue to contact the Family Advocate for student and family needs through this school year. Stay tuned for further announcements about meeting student and family needs in the 2024-25 school year.

Snacks, snacks, snacks....hits the spot every time you get "Hangry"! Kids get in the car...they want a snack...Going to a game... bring or buy a snack...Just got off the bus...needs a snack....After dinner.....WANTS ANOTHER SNACK!

Is it habit or hunger? Kids are growing up in more ways than one and during growth spurts, their appetites can change quickly...even during the school day. Student athletes and students who are physically active may have even greater needs. Eating breakfast remains the most important meal of the day. Express the importance to students that beginning each day with a meal, even if it is not traditional breakfast foods, will make a difference in the rest of their day...their attention span, their focus, and their attitude. Creating nutritious habits when kids are young will benefit them for a lifetime. Eating nutritious healthy meals and snacks are important to growing and learning. Studies show that foods filled with fiber, protein, and healthy fats fuel our minds and bodies to ensure they function at a high and efficient level. Serving healthy snacks can help keep you focused, and improve your memory and cognitive functions. Healthy snacks are also filling and satisfying, but snacks should NOT be a meal replacement option.

When it comes to snacks, assist your kids in selecting, buying and preparing healthy snacks to take to school and snacks that they can prepare and eat at home too. Prepare and bag some snacks to have on hand to provide some variety and choices when your family is on the go or time is short. Snack baggies can hold a handful of nuts, carrot sticks, grapes, cereal or crackers. Be mindful of serving size and remember that a snack is intended to bridge a small gap between regular meals.

Keeping hydrated and skipping high sugar and high sodium snacks will decrease the urge for an additional snack at school and after school. Cereal and protein bars can be a great substitute for candy bars. An apple pairs well with cheese or any kind of nut butter. Boiled eggs, almonds or other nuts, string cheese with fruit, trail mix, smoothies, veggies and hummus, popcorn and low sodium jerky are also beneficial options for healthy snacking.

The internet and Pinterest are filled with recipes for homemade trail mixes, proteins bars, smoothies and more healthy snack ideas for you and your kids to try.
Making SMART food choices help make SMART kids!

Back by popular demand this semester, Valley Heights girls7th-12th grades who are looking for a formal dress for Jr. High Dance or Prom, are invited to attend a seminar and/or after-school "Say YES! to a formal dress" preview or event. Seminar previews are scheduled on March 1, 4, 7 & 18. Girls may attend previews to see what dresses are available with permission from their Seminar Teacher who will check eligibility and missing assignments. If time doesn't allow everyone to try a dress on during the seminar time frame, girls are invited to the after school events where they can try dresses on-fittings and alterations will be available as well as shoes, accessories, make-up, nails and hair-dos! After school events are scheduled on March 5 and 19, 3:30-5pm, or by appointment. Girls are encouraged to bring a friend to encourage them to try on all the dresses and find a style that is best suited. There are many styles, colors and sizes to choose from. Most dresses have been worn once, but some still have tags on!

Many thanks to the donors in our community who have provided dresses, make-up, jewelry and shoes! If you'd like to contribute to the event, please contact the Family Advocate or drop off your donations at VHHS. Thank you!

No events have been planned in Frankfort or Centralia, but if you know a student in need of a dress for Prom or other special occasion, please contact the Family Advocate.

Give on-line anytime! If you want to make a difference with a tax deductible donation or contribution, please consider giving to Schools That Care. Schools That Care uses cash donations to provide for needs when donated items run low or don't fit the size necessary.

Talk to your tax preparer for specific information. It's easy to give via PayPal or with your credit/debit card. Use this link and view other ways to give. https://www.valleyheights.org/page/donations