January 2017

January 2017

Volleyball

Winter Program

We ended the year 2016 with an exhilarating Winter Program performance. Our students did an outstanding job of dancing, singing, and playing their instruments. Thank you to our dedicated teachers for working hard with the students to make this event a success. We also would like to thank Mrs. Braffet and Mrs. White for coordinating the program. And to our parent volunteers for their generous contribution of time and support.

Fresh Start

Most New Year’s resolutions are broad and will take longer than a few months to accomplish. To help progress to your big goal, make smaller goals that you can achieve along the way to stay motivated. In order to reach this studies have shown that a person is more likely to accomplish their goals if they write them down. So take out a pen or pencil and write down your goals today!

Your goals should be SMART goals:

Specific – stick to one thought at a time and as you get further along in the process you can be more detailed as possible.

Measurable – a way to track your progress. How will you know when you have accomplished your goal?

Attainable – Do you have the resources? If the goal or the parameters you created are not realistic, you may be setting yourself up for failure.

Relevant – Is this what you want to focus on?

Time-bound – You must set a deadline of when you would like to have your goal accomplished.

Example SMART goal:

By April 1, 2017, I will cut down drinking sugar

sweetened beverages (like soda) to one can/bottle

once a week.

Here are some suggestions of healthy resolutions for children by The American Academy of Pediatrics:

Preschoolers:

• I will wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
• I will be nice to other kids who need a friend or look sad or lonely.
• I will clean up my toys by putting them where they belong.

Kids, 5-12 years old:

• I will wear my seatbelt every time I get in a car.
• I will take care of my skin by putting on sunscreen before playing outdoors on sunny days.
• I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity like playing tag, jumping rope, riding my bike, or dancing) that I like and do it at least three times a week.

Kids, 13 years old and older:

• I will limit how much soda I drink.
• I will spend only 1-2 hours each day on television and video games.
• When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find helpful ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, or talking about the problem with a parent or friend.
• I will take care of my body through physical activity and eating the right types and amounts of foods.

“Children are at risk of associating food with emotions and feelings of accomplishment when food is used in the classroom as a reward. This reinforces the practice of eating outside of meal or snack times and encourages students to eat treats even when they are not hungry. This practice may create lifetime habits of rewarding or comforting oneself with unhealthy eating.”

Here are some alternatives for rewarding students for good grades, high test scores, or good classroom behavior by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

1. Give opportunities for physical activities (e.g., extra recess, a dance party)

References:

Healthy student rewards: How can you help? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/parentengagement/pdf/p4hs_rewards.pdf. Accessed December 5, 2016.

Healthy New Year’s resolutions for kids. American Academy of Pediatrics. December 21, 2015.

Luciani J. Why 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail. U.S. News.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2015-12-29/why-80-percent-of-new-years-resolutions-fail. December 29, 2015. Accessed November 30, 2016.

New Year’s resolution statistics. http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/. 2016. Accessed November 30, 2016.

Tips for teachers: Promoting healthy eating and physical activity in the classroom. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/npao/pdf/tips-for-teachers.pdf. Accessed December 5, 2016.

Williams, AM. 6 ways to make your New Year’s resolutions stick. USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2013/12/27/keep-new-years-resolutions-goals/4192127/. January 1, 2014. Accessed November 30, 2016.

Makahiki Festival