A Fresh Start: Nurturing a Healthy Lifestyle in January
Greetings, wonderful parents and younger students!
As we step into the new year here at Duclos and around the Division, we have been focusing on several different topics to help promote healthy living. Join us as we dive into fun and accessible ways to nurture your health and happiness.
Kimochis
During Monday morning assemblies our Student Advocacy Counsellors, Mrs. Baillargeon and Mrs. Rychlo have continued to facilitate lessons on the “Kimochis Keys to Communication.” Students reviewed the first four keys and were introduced to the fifth key. Below are the five keys students have been practicing. We encourage you to ask your child about the “Keys to Communication” and maybe you can find some time to practice them at home!
Key 1- Get Someone’s attention.
Key 2 - Use a talking voice.
Key 3- Use a talking face and body.
Key 4- Choose helping words.
Key 5- Redo hurtful moments.
Virtue of the Month: Honesty
Our Duclos buddies have been learning about and practicing the virtue of honesty this month. During Monday morning assembly students shared how they can show honesty and discussed how it is important to be truthful even when it can be hard to do so. Students were challenged to show honesty in their classroom and the wider school community.
Division Wellness Spotlight: Nurturing a Healthy Lifestyle
The Division Wellness Spotlight for January was to nurture a healthy lifestyle. While there are many aspects to living a healthy lifestyle, making smart choices, staying active, and ensuring restful sleep are a great way to embrace a healthier you. Here at Duclos, we believe that our focus on social-emotional education through the Kimochis program and the monthly virtues will help students form positive relationships which in turn can help with their emotional and mental health. Students also learn about what it means to live a healthy lifestyle through the Health curriculum facilitated by our wonderful teachers.
Resource Roundup: Nurturing Well-Being
If you are looking for more inspiration on how to embrace a healthy lifestyle, check out these handpicked resources suitable for parents and students of all ages:
- Screen time has been proven to inhibit children’s ability to read faces and learn social skills. Excessive screen time has been linked to behavior and mood disorders, obesity, and thinning of the brain’s cortex, which is related to critical thinking. Children need human interactions, and reducing screen time promotes healthy relationships, improved sleep, reduced stress, and increased productivity among so many other things. For a quick guide to reducing screen time check out this widget produced by the CDC Screen Time vs Lean Time
- As we know physical activity is incredibly important for health. Check out this guide to help inspire physical activity for you and your children. A Parent's Guide to Physical Activity for Their Kids.
For more resources, check out the Healthy Lifestyle page on the NLPS website.
Reflecting on Last Month: Your Insights Matter!
In December, we celebrated the power of compassion. Share your experiences: How did our previous mental health blog post inspire acts of kindness? Your feedback and ideas are invaluable to us.
Nurturing a Healthy Lifestyle: Tips for Students
Students, let's embrace a vibrant life:
- Enjoy colorful fruits and veggies for a nutritious diet.
- Engage in physical activities you love every day.
- Create a calming bedtime routine for restful sleep.
- Practice gratitude for a positive mindset.
- Hydrate, breathe, and take breaks for self-care.
Connect with Our Student Advocacy Counsellors: Here for You
Need guidance or wish to discuss well-being? Our Student Advocacy Counselors are ready to help. Reach out at janice.baillargeon@nlsd.ab.ca or stephanie.rychlo@nlsd.ab.ca or call (780) 826-3992. Let's continue our journey of well-being and vitality together.
Here's to a 2024 filled with vibrant health, joyful exercise, and peaceful sleep. Let's nurture a healthy lifestyle and embrace the year with vitality!