Printed a few weeks ago at the start of school

Walk to School Day October 9th

I hope everyone will join us at Perkins Street Park for our first ever walk to school day. We have asked the buses to drop off students that want to participate in this event. We will have some police officers there as well. We know this can be an exciting start to the day and follow our healthy lifestyles plan for our students. We will walk the .7 miles on the bike path directly to our school's playground. Come, join the fun! 

Happy Summer!

Happy summer, friends! Wishing you and the children in your world lots of play-filled, sunny days and wondrous starry nights, perfect for catching fireflies, roasting marshmallows, and making memories!!!  -Kara

TAKE THE PLEDGE!

TAKE THE PLEDGE!

Every child in the United States should be well-nourished, physically active, healthy and ready to learn. Sadly, they’re not. According to ActionforHealthyKids.org, one in three kids in this country is either overweight or obese. But they don’t have to be. Schools are a big part of the solution and you can be too.

It’s going to take a nation of moms, dads and other caring individuals – people just like you – to raise their hands and lend their voices to the fight against childhood obesity so every kid can be healthy and ready to learn. Working together, we can give kids the keys to health and academic success, one school at a time. So take the Every Kid Healthy Pledge and ask your friends and family to do the same. It takes just 10 seconds.

You can take the pledge at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/support-healthy-kids/take-the-pledge

Outside Play Bucket List

The National Trust has launched a campaign to bring back some old fashioned values to today's children. It has produced a list of 50 activities to do before the age of 12.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/National-Trust-list-50-things-age-12/story-15804766-detail/story.html#axzz2SvJVemHu

The full list is as follows:
1. Climb a tree
2. Roll down a really big hill
3. Camp out in the wild
4. Build a den
5. Skim a stone
6. Run around in the rain
7. Fly a kite
8. Catch a fish with a net
9. Eat an apple straight from a tree
10. Play conkers
11. Throw some snow
12. Hunt for treasure on the beach
13. Make a mud pie
14. Dam a stream
15. Go sledging
16. Bury someone in the sand
17. Set up a snail race
18. Balance on a fallen tree
19. Swing on a rope swing
20. Make a mud slide
21. Eat blackberries growing in the wild
22. Take a look inside a tree
23. Visit an island
24. Feel like you’re flying in the wind
25. Make a grass trumpet
26. Hunt for fossils and bones
27. Watch the sun wake up
28. Climb a huge hill
29. Get behind a waterfall
30. Feed a bird from your hand
31. Hunt for bugs
32. Find some frogspawn
33. Catch a butterfly in a net
34. Track wild animals
35. Discover what’s in a pond
36. Call an owl
37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool
38. Bring up a butterfly
39. Catch a crab
40. Go on a nature walk at night
41. Plant it, grow it, eat it
42. Go wild swimming
43. Go rafting
44. Light a fire without matches
45. Find your way with a map and compass
46. Try bouldering
47. Cook on a campfire
48. Try abseiling
49. Find a geocache
50. Canoe down a river

I call it the Outside Play Bucket List! How many of these activities have you done with your family?  How many would you like to do?  Get out there and play!   

Rules of the Road

Hello everyone.  Since May is National Bike Month, I thought you might appreciate a quick review of some great rules of the road before getting out there and riding.  :)

Rules of the Road

The League's six Rules of the Road will prepare you for a safe and fun bike commute this bike month.

1. Follow the law.

Your safety and the image of bicyclists depend on you. You have the same rights and duties as drivers. Obey traffic signals and stop signs. Ride with traffic; use the rightmost lane headed in the direction you are going.

2. Be predictable.

Make your intentions clear to motorists and other road users. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars. Signal turns, and check behind you well before turning or changing lanes.

3. Be conspicuous.

Ride where drivers can see you; wear bright clothing. Use a front white light and red rear light and reflectors at night or when visibility is poor. Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t ride on sidewalks.

4. Think ahead.

Anticipate what drivers, pedestrians, and other bicyclists will do next. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars. Look out for debris, potholes, and utility covers. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.

5. Ride Ready.

Check your tires have sufficient air, brakes are working, chain runs smoothly, and quick release wheel levers are closed. Carry repair and emergency supplies appropriate for your ride. Wear a helmet.

6. Keep your cool.

Road rage benefits no-one and always makes a bad situation worse.

For more information about National Bike month check out http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/

Kids in the House

This website is an excellent resource for Parents, Teachers, Grandparents, or anyone supporting kids and their development. Many videos, articles, and good tips to raising healthy kids. The site is bookmarked on our blog page for your easy access too.

http://www.kidsinthehouse.com/#

Exercise and Brain Development

One of the most important things we can do for our young learners is to instill in them a love of reading. Did you know there was another?????? Check out this article to see what else you can do to develop a healthy child:
http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2013/04/exercise-learning-kids/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Pragmaticmom+%28PragmaticMom%29

National Parks: FREE ADMISSION

Now that spring is here, it is time to get outside, play and take full advantage of the amazing state we live in.  Are you interested in exploring a beautiful, Maine National Park? If so, I have great news for you.  The week of April 22 – 26th, 2013 is National Park Week. All National Parks will offer free admission each day of this week.  I don't know about you, but I am thinking that a trip to Acadia National Park may be in order!

Check out this website for more information:  http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

Happy Spring!

Heart-Healthy Refrigerator

The "Open the Door to a Healthy Heart ” campaign gives us ten tips for a heart-healthy refrigerator.  Check them out!!!!

Take stock of what's inside. Once a month, pull everything out and separate the better-for-you foods from the rest. Make sure you have more low-fat, high-fiber and low sugar foods than other types, and, if not, consider gradually reducing the number. Choose more low-fat and fat-free dressings, condiments, sauces and tablespreads instead of full-fat ones.

Hide desserts. Stow away desserts and other indulgent foods in the crisper, so they're “out of sight, out of mind. ” Most of the time, healthier foods like fruits and vegetables are the ones that perish the quickest and, therefore, should be kept on the refrigerator shelf where you can see and eat them.(Americans on average waste about $10 a week on produce that spoils.)

Organize by “more ” and “less. ” Divide your refrigerator into different sections of “choose more often ” and “choose less often. ” This could be by shelf or within the shelf, always keeping healthier foods up front and less-healthy foods toward the back.

Substitute lower-fat foods for higher-fat ones. Some examples include skim or 1% milk for whole milk; soft margarine spreads for butter; and lean meats, chicken and fish for ribs, ground meat and other fattier meats. A simple substitution like soft margarine spreads instead of butter over a week's time can save you an entire day's worth of saturated fat.

Make healthy eating fun for the family by color-coding foods with stars or heart stickers - use green for heart-healthy, and red for less healthy.

Make healthy food appealing. Keep an indulgent topping or accompaniment next to a healthy food to make it more appetizing. Next time you want a snack, you'll be more likely to eat something healthy if the mixed nuts are next to the low-fat yogurt, or the chocolate syrup is beside the skim milk, ready to be mixed together.

Prepare leftovers as a meal for the next day. Put the entree with the vegetables and other side items on a plate and cover for the next day's lunch or dinner to create a do-it-yourself balanced “TV ” dinner.

Prepare foods as “ready to eat ” meals when you come home from grocery shopping. Cut up vegetables and fruits and store them in containers, so they'll be ready for the next meal or when you come looking for a ready-to-eat snack.

Freeze foods in portion sizes to make healthy eating easier. Did you know the recommended serving of cooked meat is 3 ounces, similar in size to a deck of playing cards? The standard serving size for pasta is one cup (or the size of a Walkman) and half a cup for vegetables (about the size of a tennis ball).

Freeze fruit for fun. Freeze fruits such as bananas, grapes and orange slices to make them more fun to eat for children. Next time they want a sweet snack offer them frozen fruit rather than ice cream.

http://www.healthyfridge.org/tips.html

Healthy Food Site

Visit the site to get a few ideas for your child's snacks:
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-resources/

Blueberry Oatmeal Squares--YUM!

Here is a quick, easy recipe that is healthy and delicious.  Go ahead and give it a try!

Blueberry Oatmeal Squares

Ingredients:
• ½ cups quick oats
• ½ cup whole-wheat flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 egg
• 1 cup skim milk
• 3 tablespoons apple sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Coat baking pan with cooking spray.
3. Place all of the ingredients into a large bowl and mix until just combined.
4. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and cut into squares. (Source: www.kidshealth.org)

More Winter Wellness Photos!

And here are some more wonderful Winter Wellness Day photos!!!  Aren't these kiddos having fun?

Winter Wellness Day Photos and Fun

 

On February 15th, OTES enjoyed a Winter Wellness Day which included healthy snacks and fun indoor and outdoor activities for all students.  As you can tell from these photos, there was some SERIOUS fun and learning happening on that day! (Thanks to Mary Keane, Kristy St. Peter, Cathy Lucas, and Michelle Reesman for these great photos.)  More photos to come soon!

Breakfast Pops

Yum!!!  Try these out.  They are delicious...

Breakfast Banana Pops

Ingredients:

• Bananas (Or try this idea with strawberries, pineapple, etc.)

• Yogurt of choice

• Granola  or cereal of choice

• Add-on ideas: chopped nuts, coconut shreds, raisins, etc.

• Popsicle sticks or straws 

 Directions:

1. Pour granola into a very shallow dish or plate

2. Peel bananas, cut in half, and insert popsicle sticks

3. Dip into yogurt (or coat with a knife), then roll into granola and add-ons

4. Place on a parchment or wax-lined tray and freeze

5. Keep uneaten pops in the freezer

 (Source: www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com)

Focusing on Family Time

Hello everyone.  Here is a great reminder from HSBS for all of us!

Focusing on Family Time

 Use meal time as a time for families to work together to help select and prepare nutritious food, set the table, and clean-up afterwards. While preparing and eating food together, families can discuss their day, what they are eating, and how food will help their bodies grow and stay healthy. Conversations during meal time are a great bonding experience for families. When families eat meals together, children’s academic performance can improve because of increased vocabulary development. Focus on the Three F's: Food, Family, and FUN!

Outdoor Play Benefits

Do you want to know what the benefits are of playing outside (even on a snowy, winter day)?  Check out the following link to see what researchers say!
 
http://www.aahperd.org/headstartbodystart/activityresources/upload/benefits-of-outdoor-play-2.pdf

Family Fitness Time Challenge

Family Fitness Time Challenge

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. For children, the 60 minutes of activity can be done over the day, and some of that time may come from moderate physical activity offered in schools and classrooms through physical education classes. Adults should do a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.

Make getting more physical activity and exercise a family project. Encourage everyone to think of fun activities that get you up and moving, off the couch, and away from the TV. Choose a different activity each day or each week to try. A few suggestions are below.

 Walk Whenever Possible

·         Walk instead of drive, whenever you can

·         Walk your children to school

·         Take a family walk after dinner

·         Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV

·         Park farther from the store and walk

·         Make a Saturday morning walk a family habit

·         Walk briskly in the mall

·         Take the dog on longer walks

Around Your Home

·         Garden, or make home repairs

·         Do yard work. Get your children to help rake, weed, or plant flowers

·         Work around the house, and have children help with chores

·         Wash the car by hand

·         Use a snow shovel instead of a snow blower

·         Do sit-ups in front of the TV--have a sit-up competition with your kids during commercials.

Move More

·         Join an exercise group, and enroll your children in community sports or lessons

·         Pace the sidelines at kids' athletic games

·         Dance to music… with your kids

·         Swim with your kids

·         Buy a set of hand weights and play a round of Simon Says with your kids—you do it with the weights, they do it without

·         Train together for a charity walk or run

 
Encourage every member of your family to increase daily physical activity. Think of ways to have fun and be physically active at the same time. Also check out the following like for 40 tips for an active family and for more information:

http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/game-on/access/step3_challenges/challenges/family-fitness-time.html

Not Too Late

It's not too late to start that New Year's Resolution---Think, plan, and execute with the family

http://www.aahperd.org/letsmoveinschool/upload/jan2013message.pdf

Having Trouble Being Creative with Snacks???

Sometimes it's important for children to see food as fun ----visit this site for some healthy recipes and fun ways to get kids to eat well.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Top-10-Recipes/Top-10-Healthy-Recipes-for-Kids

UMO Basketball players visit OTES

University of Maine basketball team visits our school to share their secrets to a healthy lifestyle

Happy Nee Year

Happy New Year and welcome back to school! May 2013 be the year we all are fit and happy in our daily lives