October 18th, 2024
IMPORTANT DATES
October 21-25th - Scholastic Book Fair (Sign-Up Link)
October 23rd - World of Difference Visits SU
October 25th - Dismissal at 12:17 pm - PTO Monster Mash 6-8 pm (Sign-Up Link)
November 3rd - Daylight Savings Ends
November 5th - No School - District PD Day
November 11th - No School - Veteran's Day
November 25th - Evening Teacher Conferences
November 25-27th - Dismissal at 12:17 pm - Teacher Conferences
November 28 & 29 - No School - Thanksgiving Recess & Native American Heritage Day
Safe Roads Alliance
Thank you to Jordan Sales, Safe Road Alliance Ambassador, for visiting each class to review the importance of being a safe pedestrian with them. He talked about how they need to be aware of their surroundings, what to listen to and look for, how to ensure they are crossing roads safely, how to take ownership of themselves, look left and right, and not just cross because a crossing guard or adult says it's clear and safe. This is a timely conversation with Halloween around the corner!
Be sure to ask your child what they learned—you may be surprised at some things we don't always think about.
My name is Sarah Woods, and I am the school counselor at Swallow Union. Part of my job here is to teach the Second Step curriculum to all students in grades K-4. I teach these lessons every two weeks in each classroom during their morning meeting. Let’s take a look at what your kids have been learning!
The first unit I am teaching is Emotional Management. Students are learning different emotional management skills according to their developmental level.
Kindergarten: Students are learning to use clues to figure out how someone is feeling, including face, body, and situational clues for the feelings of happy, sad, and mad. Students use clues to figure out what it looks like for other people to feel these feelings. Toward the end of the unit, students will learn slow breathing to make themselves feel calm.
First Grade: Students are learning to notice face, body, and situational cues to figure out how someone is feeling. They will also learn more complex emotions such as worry, frustration, and calm. They will also learn strategies of asking for help and slow breathing to help calm down.
Second Grade: Students are learning more words to describe feelings. For example, they might feel proud when they work hard to accomplish something. Students are also learning ways to calm themselves, like thinking of things that make them smile and saying nice things to themselves.
Third Grade: Students are learning that emotions give us important information about what is happening around us. They are also learning to label different labels of happiness and anger, such as “furious” or “excited.” Lastly, third graders are learning to take a break in the classroom or on the playground to calm strong emotions.
Fourth Grade: Fourth graders are learning the importance of managing strong emotions. They will learn how strong emotions influence their thoughts and actions. Students will also learn the strategy of rethinking or thinking of something in a new way.
Please reach out with any questions!
Sarah Woods
School Counselor
Parent/Guardian Notes Required for any changes in Dismissal
If your child(ren) has a change in dismissal from their normal plan, a written note or email to the teacher is required. Please be sure to send that note the same day noting the change. From there, those notes go to the office, where we verify the change and create a bus slip for the bus drivers. This ensures students are going where their parents have arranged and provides permission to the bus drivers to take them (or drop them off at a different stop). Students are not allowed to change their dismissal plans on their own.
Healthy Bites - Skeleton Strong Kids
Hey Parents,
Let's talk bones! It seems like a perfect time of year, as we see images of skeletons all over for Halloween. Here at Swallow Union, we even have a skeleton named Mr. Bones! Strong bones are like superpowers for our kids. They help them grow taller, run faster, and even think better.
Here's how to boost their bone power:
Fuel up: Give them foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, and leafy greens—think spinach, kale, and broccoli—these are calcium champions! Vitamin D is also a must. Fish, eggs, and fortified cereal that is low in sugar are great sources.
Fun fact: Did you know that calcium helps build strong teeth too? So, those yummy dairy foods are a win-win!
Get moving: Running, jumping, and playing outside are awesome for building strong bones. Think tag, basketball, or even just dancing around the house.
Tip: Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, like taking a family walk or bike ride.
Limit sugary drinks: Too much sugary stuff can steal calcium from their bones. Water, milk, and juice are better choices.
Remember: It's okay to have treats occasionally, but moderation is key.
Sleep tight: Getting enough sleep helps their bodies grow and repair. Aim for around 8-10 hours a night.
Fun fact: During sleep, your body releases hormones that help build and repair bones.
Be safe: Teach them to wear helmets when needed and avoid risky stuff. Falls can hurt those bones.
Tip: Set a good example by wearing your helmet when appropriate.
Bone health is linked to other aspects of health, such as muscle strength and balance, which is very important for our kids. Have any questions? Feel free to reach out.
-Nurse Jen, Nurse Kate, and Mr. Bones
PTO Updates
Monster Mash: Friday, October 25, 6-8 pm. Costumes, music, a pumpkin decorating contest, and more! $7/person or $25/family. Food is available for purchase. If you are interested in volunteering, sign up here: Monster Mash Volunteer Sign Up.
Trivia Night: Friday, November 15, 7 pm. Adult night out, snag that sitter now!
Fun Fridays: Want to show how much we appreciate our teachers and staff? Sign up for a Fun Friday as an individual or a class! Fun Friday Sign-Up
Groton Dunstable Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
GDRHS Presents….
