Remembrance Day Assembly
Thank you to the students and staff who organized and shared during the Remembrance Day assembly. We are also fortunate to have special guest, and University School parent, Master Sergeant Jordan Lack who shared photos, the role of Canadian Armed forces and his story with the students. We appreciate those families who were able to attend and remember along side our students.
Screen Time: Finding a Balance
It is important as the weather gets colder and the amount of daylight decreases that we consider the amount of screen time children are accessing as there is the potential for it to have a negative impact on their social emotional well-being and academic success. We have included the information below for you to consider.
The information below comes from the Alberta Health Services Wellness Article - October 24, 2022 - Click here for more articles.
Many families enjoy watching a favourite television show or movie together, but it is easy for children to spend too much time alone with a TV, computer, or video game. How do you know when it’s time to cut back screen time?
The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends: No screen time for children under two years old, less than one hour of screen time daily for children between the ages of two and four, and less than two hours of screen time per day for older children.
Too much screen time can limit time for physical activity, reading, schoolwork, and talking with family and friends. But you can help your children develop healthy habits by monitoring screen time and teaching them to use media safely and wisely.
Keeping track of screen time
- Have a central spot in your home to keep all your devices. This will help keep track of screen time.
- Make a family TV show schedule together and post it where everyone can see it (e.g. on the fridge).
- Make sure that you all agree on the plan. For example, agree on no screens during meals so everyone knows what’s OK to watch and when it’s OK to watch it.
Lead by example
- When someone is talking to you, stop looking at the screen and look at the person. Encourage your children to do the same.
- When you play or read with your child, turn off the TV and other screens. Even a show playing in the background matters. It distracts you and your child from learning the most from the activities you share.
- Show your children how to lead a balanced life between screen time and other activities.
- Make screen time active—play during commercials and choose shows that get your family up and moving.
Focus on family time
- Make a list of other activities so your family doesn’t rely on screens for entertainment. Include outdoor activities, playing, and reading in your family’s daily routine.
- At mealtimes, put your media devices aside. Use the time to talk to each other.
- Make at least one night each week a family night. That means no screens. Play card or board games, read together, or go to an event.
- Go for a walk or bike ride as a family.
- Go to the library for a story time or to check out a book.
Use screen time to learn
- Help your child learn by watching and talking about TV shows together.
- Choose TV shows that:
- Repeat ideas to help kids learn.
- Pause and ask kids to join in.
- Teach only one message at a time.
Cutting back on screen time is very difficult to do, and while you may want to cut back, this may not be a good time for you. If you cannot start now, perhaps you can think about doing it later.
Remember that you can control how fast you make any changes. Making small, gradual changes to what and how much you watch on TV and other screens will help you and your child maintain the changes. The decision to change and how you do it are up to you. You can find a way that works for your family.
When you are ready to try, your doctor can give you information and support to help.
Fun Lunch - Cedars Deli
The second fun lunch of the school year is Cedars Deli and they are offering choices such as chicken shawarma, beef donair, falafel balls, and salad with chicken or falafel.
The last day to order the Cedars Deli fun lunch is Saturday, November 16. Please go to Healthy Hunger to place your order.
The fun lunch will be distributed on Thursday, November 21.
Morning Kindergarten students can wait until 11:10 am to receive their fun lunch if ordered. If they attend Summit they will have their food brought to them there.
Child and Youth Well-Being Series 2024/2025
The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join us in a pre-recorded and live online series focusing on child and youth well-being. These sessions will be hosted in partnership with experts from Alberta Health Services and Recovery Alberta and will explore topics such as Peer Pressure, Healthy Relationships, Mental Health for Highly Sensitive Teens, and navigating Parent-Teen relationships. Acting on feedback from participants who joined us during our live online sessions over the past two years, moving forward we invite all guardians and parents to listen to the pre-recorded or live sessions at their convenience. Suggestions from the Well-Being team are listed below:
Upcoming Live Sessions:
1| November 20 | 1:00-3:00pm | Can we Talk: Healthy Relationships | Diana Wark (She/Her), Parent Program Coordinator for Centre for Sexuality – Register Here
2| November 21 | 12:00-1:30pm | Building Resiliency in Today’s Youth | Andrea Halwas Larsen, PhD, CT, REACE – Register Here
3|November 28 | 10:00am-11:30am | Mental Health for Highly Sensitive Teens; Unique Struggles for those Emotional Feelers | Tracy Fields, MSW, RSW – Register Here
Pre-Recorded Sessions:
1| Adolescent Brain Development and Navigating Parent-Teen Relationships
Erin Dawson Myers
Description: In this session we will discuss the adolescent brain, how to support healthy brain development, promoting resilience, and navigating the ways that your relationship with your teen will evolve as they slowly but surely become little adults.
2| Screen Time: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly | Dr. Caroline Buzanko
Description: The effects of screen time on the developing brain. The behavioural outcomes of too much screen time and how and when technology can be beneficial.
3| Understanding Autism & ADHD to Promote Long-Term Success
Dr. Caroline Buzanko
Description: This session focuses on the complex nature of Autism and ADHD, as well as the associated strengths and challenges.
Mental Health Literacy Series (Pre-Recorded):
1| Focused and Engaged: Finding Balance through Self-Regulation | Information Sheet - Click Here
2| Sleeping Your Way to Better Mental Health | Information Sheet - Click Here
3| Behavioural Challenges of School Aged Children | Information Sheet - Click Here
School Council & Parent Association Meeting
At the last School Council & Parent Association meeting there was discussion around some possible upcoming community events as well as school updates connected to student learning at University School.
Thank you to everyone who participated and we appreciate the increased involvement of those in attendance. The more families we have sharing ideas, asking questions, and providing comments the greater success we will have as a school.
This Week
Monday, November 11
- No School - Remembrance Day
Tuesday, November 12
- No School - Fall Break
Wednesday, November 13
- No School - Fall Break
Thursday, November 14
- Classes Resume
- Handbells Club - Grade 6
- Robogals Presentation - Room 18
Friday, November 15
- Flex Friday - Mixed Groups
Month Ahead
Nov 18 - Gymnastics begins
Nov 19 - Grade 2 Field Trip
Nov 20 - Grade 2 Field Trip
Nov 21 - Fun Lunch - Cedars Deli
Nov 22 - Flex Friday - Buddies
Nov 26 - Bird Presentation - Grade 2
Nov 28 - Kindergarten - No School - Conferences
Nov 28 - Student Learning Conferences
Nov 29 - Student Learning Conferences
Dates of Significance
Nov 10 - 16 - Rock Your Mocs Week
Nov 11 - Remembrance Day
Nov 12 - 18 - Metis Awareness Week
Nov 16 - Louis Riel Day
Nov 18 - National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
Nov 20 - National Child Day
Nov 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance
No 20 - 26 - Canadian History Week