WWW.WAIAKEATITANS.ORG PARENT NEWSLETTER

Principal Souza’s Message

Quisque

Integer

200 W. Puainako Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 981-7231

Dates to Remember

December 17 Winter Dance 5:30 -8:30 December 21 Incentive Activity Concert With Brittni Paiva January 13, 2017 Complex Day No School January 11, 2017 ROX for Girls Parent Night

Aloha Titans, The Holidays are here!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Soon it will be Christmas and we will be off for Winter Break. Just a few reminders this month: Shadow Day, which was scheduled for December 6, has been cancelled. A letter explaining the reason for the cancellation went home on November 18. Interim Testing has begun so please make sure your child has adequate sleep, a nutritious breakfast and most importantly has good attendance this month. The Interim test are practice test for the end of year State test - Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) for Math and English. Our teachers use the results from the Interim Test to plan and prepare for Quarter 3. Our PTA and Student Body Government will be sponsoring a free Winter Dance on Saturday December 17, we hope you can make it. The first 300 students with no A and B offenses for 2nd quarter and turn in their paper work will be given admission tickets. The last day of school before Winter Break is Wednesday December 21, school will be dismissed the regular time, 1:15. The first day back from break for students is Monday, January 9. The Holiday's can stress people out, some advice, keep it simple and enjoy the season!

December 2016

2

Shadow Day Canceled Due to new DOE guidelines, our Annual Shadow Day scheduled for Thursday, December 1, 2016 is canceled. Letters were sent home to parents that registered. Thank you for your support and continued involvement in your child’s education.

With Dawn Figueira PCNC CORNER Parent Symposium

Dr. Hinkelman will deliver a parent symposium that will address:

•The top social, educational, health, safety and interpersonal issues that are currently facing girls. •What girls say are the challenges in their lives and what they need and want from their teachers and parents. •Concrete strategies to communicate and work more effectively with girls of all ages. Copies of ‘Girls Without Limits Book – We are going to give away 35 copies to the first 35 RSVPs Copies of Dr. Hinkelman’s award-winning book, ‘Girls Without Limits: Helping Girls Achieve Healthy Relationships’ published by Corwin Press and written as a tool for parents, teachers, and counselors, 'Girls Without Limits' has won acclaim as a timely and relevant resource that helps adults "get it" by developing a real understanding of what girls think and feel about their daily challenges. Focused on building self- esteem, enhancing communication, increasing competence, and addressing gender stereotypes and barriers, 'Girls Without Limits' is currently being utilized by parents, educators, helping professionals, and University professors throughout the country.

ROXforGIRLSFAMILYNIGHTJanuary11,2017

5:30–7:00pm

December 2016

3

Mindful Eating During the holiday season, Americans gain about an average of one to two pounds. While this weight gain isn’t dramatic, research shows it tends to stay and accumulate over the years. To help us avoid this, being aware of why we are eating, what we are eating, and what is happening around us while we eat may help. Mindful eating is all about helping us understand our eating habits and creating a positive relationship with food. We should base our meals on physical cues, such as our body’s hunger signals instead of emotional ones like eating for comfort. Mindful eating is more about how we eat instead of what we eat. Studies have shown that being mindful of what we eat benefits those with cardiovascular disease, depression, chronic pain, and cancer. How to become more mindful as you eat:

• Eat slower. Take the time to enjoy your food. This will help you realize when you are full and prevent overeating.

• Pay attention to the color, smell, flavors, and textures of your food.

• Express your feelings when eating. • Take away distractions like television or talking on

the phone while you eat.

Remember to make sure you don’t skip meals during the holidays. Many prepare for the BIG dinner by thinking that if they skip meals earlier in the day, this will allow them to eat more later. This is setting us up to over eat. Most of us see all the delicious food on the table and want to consume more than what will make us satisfied. Therefore, continue with your daily eating routine during the holidays and listen to your body so you stop eating when you feel satisfied.

December 2016

4

Healthy Substitutions Baking: • Instead of butter, use equal parts

cinnamon-flavored, no sugar added applesauce.

• Instead of whole or heavy cream, use low-fat or skim milk.

• Instead of sugar or butter, use vanilla, almond, or peppermint extracts to add flavor.

Cooking: • Instead of butter, use vegetable or olive

oil. • Instead of white breads, use whole-grain

breads. • Instead of frying vegetables, bake, grill,

or steam them. • Use herbs and spices like rosemary to

flavor dishes instead of salt or butter.

Tips: • Eat reasonable portions. Use a smaller

plate to help control the amount of food you take.

• Go easy on the toppings, gravy, and dressings. These are usually packed with sugar or have a higher fat content.

• Be aware of what you are eating. The more calories you consume, the more energy you would need to expend to maintain weight.

Beverages: • Use spices, like cinnamon and cloves

instead of adding sugar to sweeten cider. • To add flavor to water, try adding fruits

like lemons, limes, oranges, strawberries, or watermelons.

REFERENCES:

Anselmo C. From diet to discipline: The power of yoga. Food and Nutrition. 2016; 5: 30-31. Deanna. Healthy christmas treats. Mirabelle Creations. http://www.mirabellecreations.com/ 2013/12/holidays-healthy-christmas-treats.html. December 19, 2013. Accessed October 28, 2016. Harris C. Mindful eating – studies show this concept can help clients lose weight and better manage chronic disease. Today’s Dietitian. March 2013; 15: 42. Holiday healthy eating guide. America Heart Association. http://www.heart.org /idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@fc/documents/downloadable/ucm_455757.pdf. 2016. Accessed October 25, 2016. Matheny M. Naturally flavored water. The Yummy Life. http://www.theyummylife.com/ Flavored_Water. May, 26 2012. Accessed October 28, 2016. Tribole E, Resch E. Creating a healthy relationship with food, mind and body. www.intuitiveeating.com. 2013. Accessed October 25, 2016.

December 2016

5

YOGA: Mind, Body, and Soul

Yoga is much more than stretching; yoga helps with breathing, releasing tension throughout your body, strengthening your core, and overall fitness and well-being. Through yoga, one may become more aware and accepting of their thoughts, feelings, and sensations. They are more mindful of their state of being and judgments. Studies have shown that those who do yoga are significantly more likely to engage in other forms of exercise than those who don’t. 86% report a strong sense of mental clarity. 73% report feeling physically strong. 79% report giving back to their communities.

Benefits of Yoga:

• Increased flexibility • Reduces anxiety and stress • Tones your muscles • Improves balance • Deep breathing increases oxygen flow

throughout body • Enhances mood and overall well-being • Increased mindfulness in life and eating

There are many styles of yoga, so pick one that suits your lifestyle, body, and personal preferences. Yoga can fit easily into your schedule. All you need is 10-15 minutes each day to practice. Taking the time to make yoga a part of your life can make a difference in how you think and feel. You don’t need to buy a gym pass or even leave your home to do yoga. You can practice yoga right in your living room. All you need is comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement. Yoga is a perfect way to relax and take some time just for yourself!

Try these simple poses:

December 2016

6

12

.Nostrum

Parenting Tips, 10 Ways to Communicate with your Teen:

1. Make yourself available for talks and try to have them each day. At the same time, be respectful of your teen’s need for silence.

2. Offer praise when deserved and remember to express you love, even if your teen acts like it doesn’t matter. It does!

3. Show that you’re paying attention: use good eye contact and ask for clarification if needed.

4. Be positive and encouraging, and choose words and concepts that teens understand.

5. Rather than jump to conclusions, give your teen a chance to explain thoughts and actions.

6. Ban communication-stoppers such as guilt, commands, ultimatums, preaching, judging or words like “never” or “always”.

7. Be brief. Most teens tune out nagging, and retain shorter messages longer.

8. Practice win-win communication. A healthy compromise with both parties feeling like winners helps teens learn negotiation skills.

9. When the consequences of a conflict won’t harm you teen, give him or her the opportunity to disagree without being accused of “talking back”. Your teen will gain self-respect.

10. Don’t feel you have to know everything. It’s okay to say, “I don’t know, but let’s find out together”.

1

We all send our children off to school every morning expecting them to learn and be safe. What we don't expect, or want, is our children to bring home whatever "bug" is currently making the rounds. To make sure that our children can safely come to school I ask that any child showing signs of illness be kept at home until they're feeling better. Here are a few reasons that a child should be kept at home instead of coming to school:

A temperature of more than 100 degrees

A deep, constant cough

A sore throat accompanied with difficulty swallowing or eating

Body Aches or "Chills"

A visible rash on the body

Red, itchy eyes accompanied with discharge

Nausea or Vomiting

Any pain that is not helped with medication

Moderate to Severe Headache

Any unusual swellings on body

Any injury that will make being in school difficult or painful

And just a friendly reminder, if you have moved or changed your work or home phone number, please be sure to notify the school as soon as possible. I have had some difficulty contacting parents when I have their sick or injured student in the health room. It is very important that we have a current working number to contact you in the case of an emergency. I've had some students waiting for over an hour in the health room while we try to find someone who can take them home. My health room is very small and it quickly fills up, so I try to get the student home as soon as possible. If we all work together we can keep our children happy and healthy. Please feel free to call if you have any questions or health concerns that you would like to address. I can be reached at 981-7231 from 7:30-2:30 Monday thru Friday. Thank you to all parents who are making a difference in their children's lives by making our school a better place for them.

2

Helpful Tips from the HEALTH ROOM

BrittniPaivawithhostsKealaandPomaifromKWXX

WINTER CONCERT FOR STUDENTS

1

This quarter, we are pleased to have an awesome performance by Ms. Brittni Paiva and hosted by Keala and Pomai from KWXX as our incentive activity.

2

Letter Writing If you’re looking for something for your children to do, perhaps you could have them Write letters to our troops abroad or recovering soldiers. The USO has requested that we take the time to write letters to our recovering soldiers. If this is something you Might want to do, the address is below. I’m sure they welcome all letters of support: A Recovering American Soldier C/O Walter Reed Army Medial Center 6900 Georgia Avenue NW Washington, DC 20307 - 5001

1

Winter Dance

When: Saturday, December 17, 2016 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Where: Waiakea Intermediate school Cafeteria Who: First 300 students to turn in permission forms to Mrs. Kubojiri (No Class A or B offenses for 2nd quarter) What: Music, snacks, fun with friends Also for purchase: photobooth pictures, glow in the dark items so bring extra money

2