Healthy Students are Good Students
I understand that healthy lifestyles (Diet, Exercise and Mentally stimulating free time activities) promote higher academic outcomes in our students.
Diet
I like to encourage parents to guide their children to select healthy foods that are low in fat and high in nutrient value. Generally this means fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat, whole corn and oats. Many of our families eat a diet that traditionally includes white rice and vegetables with a small amount of meat or fish. When people eat like that they tend to have healthier weight and fewer chronic diseases over their lifetimes and do well in school.
Exercise
I also like to encourage regular physical activity of the children. This is especially important for elementary students because physical activity develops their muscles and the neuro network in their brains. The more physical activity your child does the more developed their brain will be and the better their performance will be in school.
Mental Stimulation Beyond School
One of the very best things a parent can do for their children is to encourage them to read during their free time. Television viewing and video game playing are not mentally stimulating activities and can actually cause harm to children and their developing brain. Here are some guidelines for television viewing and video game use during elementary school years.
- Kindergarten - 2nd Grade: no more than 45 minutes a day
- 3rd grade - 4th Grade: no more then 1 hour a day
- 5th grade: - no more than 2 hours a day
If you have any special concerns please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help you and your student(s).
When to Keep Your Child Home from School
Keep your child home if they have the following symptoms:
- Head Lice - If your child has Lice or nits in their hair.
- Eyes - Thick mucus or pus draining from the eye, or pink eye.
- Vomiting - Vomiting on two or more occasions in the last 24 hours.
- Sore Throat - Especially if associated with a fever or swollen glands in the neck.
- Diarrhea - Three or more watery stools in a 24 hour period, especially if child acts or looks ill.
- Rash - Body rash not associated with heat, or allergic reactions, especially with fever or itching.
- Appearance/Behavior - Unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake, confused or irritable.
- Fever - Temperature of 100° F or higher and with a sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, ear ache, irritability or confusion.
When your child is sick have plans for back-up care and report the absence by calling the school at:
(206)252-6930.
rlombard@seattleschools.org