School News

NED's Mindset Mission is a character education program that centers around three important messages that have lifelong relevance: Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best. During the assembly, students will learn about the importance of these three life skills while also enjoying storytelling, magic, humor and yo-yo tricks. We recommend linking the underlined text (shown above) to our website,

http://www.mindsetmission.com/assembly.html

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During our first recess, in the morning from 10:10-10:30, students may bring in a healthy snack to eat during the break.  We want to encourage healthy eating as much as possible, while recognizing students may time to time bring a special treat for recess snack.  As posted in our handbook: 

• SNACKS

Students may bring a nutritious snack from home to be eaten at the first recess. It is strongly encouraged to avoid non-nutritious food items such as sodas, candy bars and high fructose drinks. Due to the fact that some food items contain red-dye, which can stain furniture, carpets and clothing, we are asking that students not bring Hot Cheetos or Takis to school. We appreciate all your efforts to support your child’s nutritional balance, which directly relates to their academic success.

If students bring in items such as Hot Cheetos or Takis, please note our staff may ask to hold the item in an effort to help students understand about healthier options.  Since we do not want students eating those kinds of items during morning recess, or at school, we will remind students to try to bring in a more nutritional snack.  Often times, our teachers offer a supply of various snack items for those students who do not have a morning snack and who may be hungry.  Our kitchen also offers fruit when available.

We  want to also remind families that we do serve breakfast at our site each morning from 7:40-8:10 AM.  Breakfast and lunch is served at no cost to families.  

Thank you for your understanding regarding the morning snack, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.

Next Friday, 10/29, we will have a Halloween Parade for students from 8:30-9:15 AM through the hallways and on the upper grade playground.  Students will walk with their classes around the playground as other classes cheer them on.  Students can wear their costumes to school, but we ask that all students bring clothes to change into when the parade is over, or wear a change of clothes under their costume.  Please label all items and provide a bag for your child to place their costume in.  This year, the parade is for Blackford students only.  We promise to take lots of photos!  We are also considering livestreaming our parade via Zoom for parents/family members.  More info to follow if we are able to livestream.  Parents/guardians will be notified and sent a Zoom link via SeeSaw or email.

Please be mindful that the following costume considerations need to be followed:  

• Students should wear appropriate costumes, which they can change out of by themselves.
• Costumes should be grade level appropriate.
• No weapons of any kind or costumes/masks which depict blood or violence.
• Scary clown/horror film characters are not allowed.
• Masks for COVID are still required.

• Make-up or costume masks are not permitted.

The library will be open for students who do not wish to participate.  Upon completion of the parade, regular classroom instruction will resume. 

Teachers will communicate with families regarding any special events being held in the classrooms.  Any treats being sent in need to be discussed ahead of time with the teacher.  Please also note:  Any items being sent from home need to be store bought and pre-packaged.  Please be mindful about providing healthy treats as well.  

Join us in dressing up next week, Ocotober 18th-22nd.