Sheridan Starts New Nutrition Program!

As you already know, for the past three years Sheridan has been partnering with Halton Food for Thought to provide the Healthy Snack program to all of our students each week. Not only does this program provide an opportunity for our kids to learn about the importance of healthy eating and nutrition, but it also gets extra food to kids who may need it to sustain them during the day.
We are very excited to announce that in conjunction with our snack program we are now starting a Healthy Basket Program. An initiative from Halton Food for Thought, this Student Nutrition Program provides a basket of healthy snacks in each classroom for students who may not have enough food to sustain them during the day. What children eat profoundly affects their capacity to learn; children need the right foods so they can be alert and ready to grow, learn and play each day. Any student may access the basket, however, we ask that everyone respects the classroom guidelines and uses the healthy snacks provided when they are still hungry after any food from home has already been eaten. Each basket will contain such items as peanut-free granola bars, apple sauce cups, and fresh fruit.

If you are interested in helping with either the Healthy Snack or Healthy Basket program please let us know. From in-school volunteering and food preparation to grocery shopping every other week we can use your help. Please contact the school if would like to be involved.

Community and Parents Partnering for Kids (C.A.P.P.)
Community and Parents Partnering for Kids will host a presentation on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at Gary Allan H.S./New St. Ed. Centre, 3250 New Street, Burlington (Between Guelph Line and Walkers Line, South of the QEW). The presentation by guest speaker Michael Reist is titled "Boys and Girls Learn Differently".

Michael Reist is a teacher with over 25 years of experience in the classroom. He is a frequent speaker to local parent groups and at education conferences.

Admission is free however; donations toward future speakers will be gratefully accepted.

Numeracy Focus

Shortly after the March Break, students will begin focusing on thinking skills in math. Of course, there will continue to be a literacy focus to our work. Specifically, students will work on reading questions carefully (rereading them a few times if they don't seem to make sense the first time) and explaining answers clearly. When they have solved a problem or answered a math question, they will be asked to explain how they came up with their response.  

To reinforce this learning, you may want to ask your child questions such as the following:

1. What is the question you are attempting to answer?
2. What is the problem you are trying to solve?
3. Are there several ways to go about answering this kind of question?
4. What strategy will you/did you use?
5. Is your answer correct? How do you know it's right?
6. Do you think you chose the best strategy?
7. If not, what would you do differently next time?
8. Will you to teach me how to do it?