Dear Families,
I hope you had a restful and rewarding break, however that looked for your family. I enjoyed watching some of the final moments of the Milan Cortina Olympics as break began. Yesterday, I got a fortune cookie that read, “Your love for sports will open doors to new friendships and connections.”
So many moments from these Games highlighted how strong the friendships and connections built through sport can be. One moment that went viral came after the women’s figure skating final, when Amber Glenn noticed Kaori Sakamoto crying after a heartbreaking finish. Glenn sat beside her to comfort her and even blocked a cameraman who was trying to film the moment, giving Sakamoto some privacy while she processed the result.
I often find myself saying “it’s not the Olympics” when trying to talk students down from being overly competitive. But perhaps, instead, I should be saying it is the Olympics—and encouraging that same kind of grace and support among opponents in our gym.
Beyond reflecting on the Olympics, I’ve also been thinking ahead to Daylight Saving Time, which arrives this weekend. In K-4 health class, we discussed how keeping a consistent bedtime routine and getting sunshine and movement during the day can support sleep at night - especially helpful during these changes. Here's a rundown of our latest lessons in health class:
Grades K–4: Safety and Sleep
Students have been learning about water and ice safety, what to do in an emergency, and how sleep helps our bodies and brains be their best. In Grades 3–4, a highlight for many was watching ice rescue demonstration videos and discussing why these rescues are performed by trained professionals and should never be attempted by kids. But students can call for help or assist from shore, so they can still make a difference in an emergency.
Classes also listened to a video or podcast on Daylight Saving Time from But Why?, produced by Vermont Public Radio (VPR). We talked about how news outlets like VPR, the Burlington Free Press, or WCAX are generally reliable sources of factual information. This matters because not everything online is true, and it can be tricky to tell what’s accurate. By practicing how to check sources and think critically, students can make smarter, safer choices about the information they use and share.
Here are some ways you can reinforce these skills at home:
Help your child memorize their home address and family phone number(s).
Talk about who they can go to for help if they need assistance.
Practice safe choices around water and ice as we round the corner to spring.
Support a consistent bedtime routine, especially as the time change approaches.
Talk with your child about the information they see online. Ask questions like: Where did this come from? Who created it? Can we trust it? Encourage them to use trusted sources and think critically about whether information is accurate.
Grades 5–6: Identity, Influences, and Healthy Habits
Grades 5–6 have been focusing on the connections between identity, influences, core values, and healthy choices. Students explored the many parts of their identities (such as being a friend, pet lover, gamer, or athlete) and how different influences—media, peers, family, and culture—can shape our identity and the choices we make. As part of this work, students also examined core values—the things that matter most to them—and how those values can guide decisions about health and behavior.
We also discussed stereotypes, how they can limit or misrepresent people, and why it’s important to respect that everyone defines and expresses their identities in their own way. Even people who share an identity may express it differently.
We wrapped up the unit by connecting identity, influences, and values to health decisions, emphasizing that understanding who we are and what influences us can help us make choices that support our well-being and respect for others.
You might ask your student to share some parts of their identity or values that connect to healthy choices they’ve made.
As an added bonus for anyone who enjoys rabbit photos, here’s the example I shared with students using real facts from my own life. There was a brief rumor that I had been to the Olympics for biathlon, and while I’m flattered, the spandex-clad photo you’ll see here was taken at Craftsbury, not Milan Cortina.
Family Resource: Helping Kids Adjust to the Time Change
If you’re looking for tips on helping your child adjust to the time change, pediatric sleep specialist Dr. Craig Canapari suggests keeping wake times consistent and gradually shifting sleep schedules if needed. Maintaining regular routines and getting plenty of morning light can also help children adjust more easily to the lost hour of sleep.
You can read the full article here:
Helping Your Child Sleep When the Clocks Go Forward
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