Nov 13 | LIFE Parent Newsletter

From the classroom to the baseball diamond, GCA student Messiah is making his mark! This fall, Messiah was one of two players selected from his Miracle League of South Fulton team to participate in the Miracle League All-Star Weekend in Texas.

Messiah has been playing with the Miracle League since fall 2024, and his favorite part of the game is stepping up to bat, hitting the ball, and running the bases. When his family received the surprise email announcing his selection, Messiah's excitement was unmistakable!

Messiah communicates primarily through short phrases. His family knows just how much he loves the game. When he's excited about baseball, he says one word over and over: "Baseball!"

📅 General Education (GE) elective class schedules may look a little different during the week of November 30, due to Winter EOC and MAP testing.

Please watch for communication from your child's elective teachers regarding any changes to class schedules.

Holiday meals are often filled with special family recipes and favorite traditions. But for some children, unfamiliar foods, new smells, and busy dinner tables can make mealtime challenging.

A little planning can help everyone enjoy the celebration!

• Include a familiar favorite. Prepare at least one dish your child knows and enjoys. Having something familiar on the table can make a big difference!

• Preview the menu. Talk about the foods that will be served. Pictures or even helping prepare a dish can make new foods feel less surprising.

• Offer choices. Let your child choose what goes on their plate. It's okay if they aren't ready to try something new.

• Respect food preferences. Some children are sensitive to certain tastes, smells, or textures. Avoid pressuring them to eat unfamiliar foods.

• Make mealtime comfortable. Consider where your child will sit, how noisy the gathering might be, and whether they may need a break.

Remember: Sharing a holiday meal is about more than what's on the plate. It's about enjoying time together and helping everyone feel welcome.

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague, is a funny, playful look at what happens when dinosaurs sit down to eat!

Enjoy the silly illustrations and use the story to practice mealtime routines, asking politely, and enjoying meals together.

It's a fun way to talk about table manners while remembering that every child learns and experiences mealtime differently.