Welcome Back to School!

Dear Families:
I hope that you all had a great LONG weekend and got plenty of rest. I would like to thank all our families who had the opportunity to participate in our celebration last Wednesday. I cannot believe all the good food and delicious pies that we all ate. We were all so stuffed before the holiday! Well..that is a good segway into what I would like to discuss with all of you today.

I know that it's a challenge just to get your children out of bed in the morning, let alone get them to start each day with a healthy breakfast. Together we can change that.

There is an important initiative that I am beginning in Class K-207. It's called THINK BREAKFAST!, and is sponsored by the New York State Education Department, Child Nutrition Program Administration. The initiative is designed to educate and encourage children to start each day with a healthy breakfast, and the importance of physical activity. "Oh, No...not another thing we have to do!" I know that you are all probably thinking that - especially during this busy time of the year. But if we all just take a moment to stop and think of the importance of getting childen to start early and think about what they are putting in their bodies, I know that in the end it will be a very positive experience for both you and your child.

Research shows that children who eat breakfast and engage in daily physical activity:
* Feel better * Have more energy * Do better in school.

Our classroom will be using "Discover The Big Benefits of Breakfast." This three-week THINK BREAKFAST! program features a variety of fun-filled classroom activities and rewards. The activities are designed to help our children develop the lifelong healthy habits of eating breakfast and engaging in physical activity every day.

WAKE UP TO THE BIG BENEFITS OF BREAKFAST!

As a parent, you can help deliver this important message:

* Be a positive role model. Eat breakfast each day too!
* Encourage your child to eat breakfast every day at home or at school.
* Inquire about our school's breakfast program. P.S. 154 offers free breakfast in the morning.

I know that I have problems with my own children eating a good solid breakfast in the morning. We don't have time...we only like those fattening chocolate muffins...The list goes on and on. Yet, the childen in Class K-207 have been discussing what it means to sit down and eat healthy - how eating healthy makes us feel better...how eating heathy makes us "smarter" So today I will be sending home a student activity/agenda booklet. Even though some of the activities seem a little advanced, you can go over the activities with your child and talk to them about healthy eating. Everyday, the children and I will be charting our good breakfast behaviors - and remember...Kids are very very honest! Enjoy.
Fondly,
Ms. Graham