Mrs. Michels Weekly Updates

Whether you have a toddler or a teen, here are 5 of the best strategies to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits:

1. Have regular family meals.
2. Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks.
3. Be a role model by eating healthy yourself.
4. Avoid battles over food.
5. Involve kids in the process.

Sure, eating well can be hard — family schedules are hectic and grab-and-go convenience food is readily available. But our tips can help make all five strategies part of your busy household.

Family Meals

Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids. Kids who take part in regular family meals are also:

• more likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and grains
• less likely to snack on unhealthy foods
• less likely to smoke, use marijuana, or drink alcohol

Also, family meals are a chance for parents to introduce kids to new foods and to be role models for healthy eating.

Teens may turn up their noses at the prospect of a family meal — not surprising because they're busy and want to be more independent. Yet studies find that teens still want their parents' advice and counsel, so use mealtime as a chance to reconnect.

You might also try these tips:

• Let kids invite a friend to dinner.
• Involve your child in meal planning and preparation.
• Keep mealtime calm and friendly — no lectures or arguing.

What counts as a family meal? Whenever you and your family eat together — whether it's takeout food or a home-cooked meal with all the trimmings. Strive for nutritious food and a time when everyone can be there. This may mean eating dinner a little later to accommodate a teen who's at sports practice. It also can mean setting aside time on the weekends when it may be more convenient to gather as a group, such as for Sunday brunch.

Our current spotlight behavior is Responsibility- I choose my own actions. We had our PBIS assembly back in December to introduce our spotlight behavior focus. The students learned what it means to take responsibility for their choices. Talk to your child about what it means to have positive and negative consequences of the choices we make. Below are some short videos that you can watch with your child.

“Responsibility: I choose my own actions.” 12/8-1/22 You are free to make choices, but you’re not free from the consequences of those choices

Consequences for Kids | Character EducationTeach Your Dragon To Understand Consequences by Steve Herman | A Book About Choices & Consequences

If the district has to close school you will be notified via automated phone call first. This will also be posted on our district web site, wwcsd.net and posted on the Dojo school story. There is no need to individually message school staff to ask if there is school. This also a good reason to make sure your accurate/current phone number is on file so the call goes to the correct number. You can also check WDIV news https://www.clickondetroit.com/ for school closures as the district will also post it there. Again, the place to check for school closing are school story on Dojo, WWCSD.net, and WDIV if you don't receive a call.

Principal- Mrs. Kelley Michels

Secretary- Mrs. Chris Karaim

School phone 734-419-2650

School hours 8:30-3:20

Arrival 8:25am

Tardy bell 8:30am

Dismissal 3:20pm

Office hours 8:00-3:50

1. Transportation

   For students who ride the bus, please make sure they are at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to the assigned time as the routes can run early from time to time. The same is true at the end of the day, please be at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to drop off just incase they are early.

   All Young 5's and Kindergarten students must be met by an adult at the bus before they will be let off the bus. If you want your child Y5 or K student to be released to an older sibling or family member you can fill out a form in the office to give to the driver.

   Wayne-Westland Community Schools has partnered with Here Comes the Bus to offer families an app that will help avoid students and parents from waiting too long for the bus. Here Comes the Bus allows parents to see where their child’s bus is along the route and when it will be at their bus stop.

   1. Wondering where the bus is? Now you’ll know.

   1. See real-time map locations for your student’s buses

   2. Get push notifications when the bus gets close by

   3. Get everyone to the stop at the right time, every time

   2. Sign up for Here Comes the Bus™

   1. Visit herecomesthebus.com

   2. Click the “Sign Up” button

   3. Enter school code 87839 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”

   4. Complete the “User Profile” box

   5. Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number

   6. Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!

https://www.wwcsd.net/schools/elementary-schools/hamilton/calendars/

https://www.wwcsd.net/

You can also follow the Wayne Westland Community School page on Facebook for updates and information too!

Thank you for your continued support!

Make it a great week!

M.M. :)