Red Ribbon Week

This week we will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week. I will be coming into the classes and conducting lessons on tobacco prevention and keeping our bodies strong and healthy. Students will meet two new puppets "Ciggie" and "L.J". They will also get to see and/or touch a model of the human lungs (a healthy one and an unhealthy one) and a model of the human mouth (with yellow teeth and an unhealthy tongue). Each day we have a superhero theme: Monday, everyone is encouraged to wear Red to kick off the week and we will be visited by some local heroes from the fire department to "wash out drugs!"; Tuesday, students can wear black, like Batman; Wednesday they can wear green as we celebrate having strong bodies like the Incredible Hulk; Thursday they can wear red, blue or black like Spiderman as we celebrate not getting caught in the web of drugs; and on Friday they can dress up as their favorite superhero. I believe students are never too young to start drug and alcohol prevention and that the most appropriate way to get started is with the concept of keeping our bodies healthy and focusing on tobacco prevention because I believe this is the most common substance students are first exposed to and that tobacco is a gateway substance that can lead to other chemical use. Here are some interesting facts about cigarettes: Did you know that cigarette tobacco contains over 4,000 different chemicals some of which include formaldehyde (used to preserve dead bodies) acetone (used in fingernail polish remover), arsenic, lead, ammonia, carbon monoxide and 43 known carcinogens? One in three adults smoke with over 1 billion people worldwide. One out of every five deaths is caused by tobacco. The average smoker will lose 14 years of their life due to smoking. Almost 50,000 non-smokers die from diseases caused by second hand smoke each year in the U.S. Please, educate your child about the dangers of smoking and encourage your child to keep his or her body strong and healthy. If you are a smoker and are ready to quit, there are many different programs available to help. Follow the link below to get started!
OK Tobacco Helpline

Tips for the "First Day" Jitters

Preschoolers are very curious about their world. They are learning to play with others and have reached the age when they are becoming more independent. This can be both a difficult and exciting time for parents. Attending preschool helps children learn the social and academic skills necessary to begin a successful school career. However, some parents and children may have anxiety about this new experience for a number of reasons. There are several things parents can do to help make this important transition a success. Like adults, when students know what to expect, they are less anxious. Reading a story about the first day of school helps the child learn what to expect and gives them the opportunity to express their concerns with their parents. It also gives parents a chance to express confidence in their child's ability to have a great experience. If parents are overly anxious about the first day of school their children will pick up on this and may develop fear and anxiety about the separation. Be sure to talk about school in a positive manner and reassure your child that he/she will be safe and that the teacher is there to help. If parents remain calm and confident on the first day of school, their children will be more calm and confident. Visit the school website so that you and your child can become familiar with the staff and school environment. The website also keeps parents informed of current events and valuable information. If you are concerned that your child may have extreme anxiety, please let me know. Your child may need a transition object such as a family photo, blanket, or small stuffed animal for a few days to help them feel safe and comfortable. Establishing a consistent daily routine for awaking, meal times, going to school, homework, playing and sleeping is very helpful. I am confident that within a few days and with continued regular attendance you and your child will successfully adjust. I look forward to working with you and your child!