Sneek Peek Into Next Week

Dear Families,

This newsletter is packed with helpful information—and we’ve included a few articles you can enjoy during your downtime. Remember, this newsletter can be translated into over 100 languages, and you can increase the font size by scrolling to the very top of the page.

💤 Sleep & Routines Matter

Inside, you’ll find tips on the importance of sleep and creating a strong morning routine. Being a parent is hard—we’ve all been there! Organization and thoughtful planning make a big difference. It’s also important to build a support network. Don’t hesitate to reach out—people won’t know what you need unless you ask.

Our school partners with many support agencies, and we’re here to connect you with resources. Our mission is to educate your child in a caring and supportive environment. Working together is essential.

📁 Stay Connected

Please check your child’s PAWS folder every night. It’s a daily communication tool between home and school. You might see a sticker or a smiley face, but if there’s ever a concern, our teachers will reach out directly.

🎉 Get Involved: Great American Teach-In

We love hosting fun events for our students and families! Coming up is the Great American Teach-In, and we’d love for you to participate. You don’t need a “fun” job—just a hobby, talent, or story you’d like to share with your child’s class. You can speak to one class or several—it’s completely up to you.

The flyer below will remain available until the week of the event. If you’re interested, please contact your child’s teacher. Kayla.Trozzi@hcps, our guidance counselor is our contact for Great American Teach In

🧠 Cognitive and Brain Development

• Sleep supports memory consolidation, helping children retain and process new information more effectively
  
• It plays a key role in learning and attention, with sleep-deprived children showing reduced mental alertness, poor concentration, and impaired decision-making
  
• Naps, especially in younger children, help clear the hippocampus (the brain’s short-term memory center), making room for new learning and improving retention

😌 Emotional Regulation and Behavior

• Lack of sleep can lead to irritability, mood swings, and emotional instability. It may even mimic symptoms of mood disorder.
  
• Children who nap or get adequate sleep are better able to manage emotions and show fewer tantrums and aggressive behaviors
• Sleep deprivation is linked to hyperactivity, defiance, and poor impulse control, which can be misdiagnosed as ADHD or other behavioral disorders

🏃‍♂️ Physical Health and Growth

• Sleep is when the body produces growth hormones, making it essential for physical development
• It strengthens the immune system, helping children fight off infections
• Poor sleep can lead to weight gain, increased appetite (especially for sugar), and even delayed growth

📊 Academic Performance

• Children who sleep well perform better in school due to improved focus, memory, and reasoning skills
• Sleep-deprived students often struggle with completing tasks, staying calm under pressure, and showing curiosity

🛏️ Recommended Sleep Duration by Age

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine

• Infants (4–12 months): 12–16 hours (including naps)
• Toddlers (1–2 years): 11–14 hours
• Preschoolers (3–5 years): 10–13 hours
• School-age (6–12 years): 9–12 hours
• Teens (13–18 years): 8–10 hours

🌙 Tips for Healthy Sleep Habits

• Establish a consistent bedtime routine (e.g., reading, soft music).
• Avoid screens and stimulating activities at least an hour before bed.
• Keep the sleep environment cool, dark, and quiet.
• Use the bed only for sleep to reinforce sleep associations

We need your kids in school, and we need our staff following their schedules. First, our attendance and tardies have been off the charts good. Well done. We still have about 17 late students, but I cannot control everything. If someone told me I was the reason my child was not on track to graduate high school I would change my behavior quickly. That is all I need to say about that.

Next request is to not sign your kids out early. I do understand that there are doctor appointments that are difficult to get. Ninety- nine percent of the time your child needs to stay in school the whole day. It causes the school to not run well if we are constantly signing kids out, grabbing backpacks, and all that good stuff. Below is our lunch schedule. DEFINITELY do not sign them out during your child's lunch time. Thank you for your help.

Also, please ensure your kids have everything they need for the day. We do not allow for drop offs. We have made it a point to protect instructional time each day, and constantly calling classes to pull kids out of class may not seem like a big deal for one parent, but we don't want it to be a constant thing, which detracts from our original goal. As a teacher we capture momentum and focus throughout the day. We also have limited times to get things taught, and we need every second with our students.

Finally, we do not sign out at all after 1:15 Tuesday through Friday and 12:15 on Mondays. Our afternoon dismissal is starting to get moving and we cannot track down the kids. Thank you so much for your help with this. If you can do these things we will have an excellent relationship. As Bill Parcells once said, "You cannot hold me responsible for the meal if I cannot select the groceries" In other words, it is hard to give your child a quality education if the variables above are happening. Thank you all.

The media center is looking for someone who can commit to volunteering to assist on Wednesdays from 8am-12pm each week. If you are interested in helping kids, checking out books, and seeing smiling faces; email Mrs. Wells at Alexandria.Wells@hcps.net

Thank you!

Getting kids out the door and ready for school can be a daily challenge. But with a few consistent routines and thoughtful preparation, mornings can become smoother and more positive for everyone. Here are seven practical steps to help ensure your child is ready to learn and thrive each school day:

1. Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine

Sleep is essential for learning, behavior, and emotional regulation. Aim for:

• 9–11 hours of sleep for elementary-aged children.
• A calming bedtime routine (e.g., bath, storytime, no screens 30 minutes before bed).
• A consistent sleep and wake-up schedule—even on weekends.

2. Prepare the Night Before

Reduce morning stress by prepping ahead:

• Lay out clothes.
• Pack backpacks with completed homework, signed forms, and supplies.
• Prepare lunch and snacks.
• Review the next day’s schedule (e.g., library day, PE, field trips).

3. Create a Morning Checklist

Help kids build independence with a visual checklist:

• Brush teeth and hair.
• Get dressed.
• Eat breakfast.
• Pack lunch and water bottle.
• Put on shoes and jacket.

You can make this fun with pictures or stickers for younger children.

4. Serve a Nutritious Breakfast

A healthy breakfast fuels focus and energy. Include:

• Protein (eggs, yogurt, nut butter).
• Whole grains (toast, oatmeal).
• Fruits or vegetables. Avoid sugary cereals or snacks that lead to energy crashes.

5. Build in Extra Time

Leave a buffer for unexpected delays. Try waking up 15–30 minutes earlier to avoid rushing and allow time for connection, like a quick chat or cuddle.

6. Stay Positive and Encouraging

Start the day with encouragement:

• A cheerful “Good morning!”
• A compliment or affirmation (“You’re going to do great today!”)
• A moment to talk about what they’re looking forward to.

This sets a positive tone and helps kids feel supported.

7. Review School Essentials

Before heading out, double-check:

• Homework is packed.
• Any special items (e.g., musical instrument, permission slip) are included.
• Weather-appropriate clothing is worn.

• 8-29-25- Birthday Celebrations- We celebrate students each month by calling them down to the atrium and giving them a cookie and a birthday pencil. This way every child is celebrated. We also protect instructional time, and the parents don't feel guilty if they cannot get off work that day.
• 9-1- Labor Day- No school
• 9-2- School fundraiser goes home.
• 9-4- Twistee Treat Night- We get money back for our school. It is a win-win. Your family gets to eat ice cream, and the school gets money back. 🍦
• 9-4- Grandparent's Breakfast. The link is below. It is spread out among two days by last name.
• 9-9- 4th Grade Math FAST- Please make sure your kids are here and on time
• 9-12- School store fundraiser
• 9-15- Progress reports go home.
• 9-15 through 9-19- Girl Scouts present during Mindful Mornings
• 9-18- Parent Multi-Language Night- 5M in Media Center (Come through Northdale Doors)
• 9-19- First Cougar with Character donut and recognition

Solid week of attendance. We are seeing a dip in VPK and Kindergarten. Thank you for getting our youngest ones out of bed and to school on time.

John Herrera 1

David Jacobs 1

Isabella Schnitzler 1

Xavier Hartmann 2

Victor Kosmachev 2

Analisa Pugh 2

Plaza Urdaneta 2

Oliver Max 3

Suarez Velazquez 3

Yanelly Pichardo 6

Layla Disgdiertt 7

Noah Hernandez 7

Perez Lara 7

Bentlee Monahan 7

Arya Mattos 8

Ava Edge 11

Christopher Suarez 12

Canizalez Zambrano 12

Mila Candelaria 13

Ochoa Perez 13

Annie Tolzmann 13

Kalani Tolzmann 13

Kathryn Bazzle 14

Sophia Alfonso 15

Fiona McNamara-Shaikh 16

Zayden Hernandez 18

Avory Picard 18

Jacob Morse 19

Emmalie Berrios 20

Ashton Giraldo 20

Adrian Nguyen 20

Resto Ponce 20

Maya Kubiniec 21

Phillips Wilson 22

Jasmin Desir 23

Valexca Duarte-Martinez 23

Brayden Rudd 23

Bentley Chaplinski 25

Aaliyah Jessie 25

Sterling Barse 26

Baricca Dailey 26

Sinikka Jimenez 26

Josiah Castanon 28

Ashton Lavold 28

Yarilyn Florin 29

Rocky Ingrassia-Ramos 29

Benjamin Letellier 31

Liam Webb 31

Staff Birthdays

Rico, Patricia 8/15

Ojeda Fernandez, Liudmila 8/24

Asbrand, Sonia 8/28

Polanco, Dulce E. 8/30