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Student wellness, including good nutrition and physical activity, shall be promoted in the school’s educational program, school activities, and meal programs. This policy shall be interpreted consistently with Section 204 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004.
BELIEF STATEMENT

SISTER THEA BOWMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL is committed to providing a learning environment that supports and promotes wellness, good nutrition, and an active lifestyle for students, staff, and families.

INTENT

The intent of this policy is to support the entire school environment in becoming aligned to healthy school goals that positively influence the beliefs and habits of students, staff, and families. Its intent is to promote health and wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity. This policy also intends to provide staff members and families with the information and tools to instruct and model healthy eating and physical activity as a valuable part of daily life.

RATIONALE

STBCS committed to compliance with the legal requirements of Public Act 094- 0199 which amended the   Illinois School Code, requiring that all districts have a wellness policy.  This is directly related to the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004.  This law requires local education agencies participating in a program authorized by the National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to develop a local wellness policy.

It is well-documented that an increasing and substantial number of children are overweight (a triple increase since 1980, according to the National Center for Health Statistics). Students need to exhibit good eating habits and have opportunities for adequate physical activity. The objectives of the wellness policy are to improve the school nutrition environment and promote good health with students, staff, and families.

School communities have the responsibility to help students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and maintain lifelong healthy lifestyles.  Well-planned and well-implemented wellness programs have been shown to positively influence children’s health.

GOALS FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION

Students in kindergarten through grade 8 shall receive nutrition education. The program shall be designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt healthy eating behaviors.

• Students shall receive nutrition information through existing health and science and physical education curriculum
• Nutrition education should be provided to students each year. Contact hours may include nutrition education provided in health classes, in the cafeteria, at health and career fairs, field trips and assemblies.
• Nutrition education shall be emphasized at the district, school, and classroom levels through a variety of media.
• Examples: Posters, color-coded healthy food choices, and promotional events.
• The nutrition education program shall offer experiential learning opportunities that potentially have a greater impact on student attitudes and actions.
• Examples: Food tastings, family nutrition programs, sugar content studies, etc.
• Staff members and parents will be offered training materials or other resources to assist in providing direction to students in the area of nutrition education.
• Examples: Web resources, newsletter, presentations, etc. GOALS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• Students in kindergarten through grade 8 shall participate twice weekly in physical education and have other opportunities for daily physical activity.
• The school shall provide a daily supervised recess period to encourage elementary students to be physically active.
• STBCS shall provide information and activities that engage families as partners in providing physical activity beyond the school day.
• Examples include: family nutrition night, health fairs, open gym dates, newsletters with health tips, presentations to parent groups, etc.

GOALS FOR OTHER SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PROMOTE STUDENT WELLNESS

Healthy Eating

• The food service will make information available about the nutritional content of school meals.
• School meals shall be served in clean, safe and pleasant settings with adequate time provided for students to eat in accordance with state and federal standards and guidelines.
• All food service personnel shall have adequate pre-service training and regularly participate in professional development.
• Food providers shall work with suppliers to obtain foods and beverages that meet the nutrition requirements of school meals and nutrition standards for those sold individually.
• Food providers shall work closely with school instructional staff to reinforce nutrition instruction and foster an environment where students can learn about and practice healthy eating.
• Food providers shall take every measure to ensure that student access to foods and beverages on school campuses meets federal, state and local laws and guidelines.
• Students, parents, school staff and community members bringing foods and beverages to school for parties/celebrations/meetings shall be encouraged to provide healthful options
• Schools will review fundraising sources and how they might be consistent with school nutrition goals.
• Partnerships between schools and food businesses should emphasize compliance with nutrition standards.
• Schools shall promote nutritious food and beverage choices consistent with the current Food Guide Pyramid such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and whole grain products.

School Activities and Environment – Physical Activity

• Teachers of physical education will be provided training support and material resources to ensure the implementation of quality physical education activities.
• Physical education classes shall have a student to teacher ratio comparable to those in other curricular areas.
• Physical activity facilities and equipment on school grounds shall be regularly inspected for safety.

Food or Physical Activity as a Reward or Punishment

• School personnel shall be encouraged to use nonfood incentives or rewards with students and shall not withhold food from students as punishment.
• School personnel shall avoid withholding participation in physical education class as a punishment, unless the student is determined to be a disruptive influence in that class.

GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL MEALS

School meals served shall be consistent with the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid and/or shall meet, at a minimum, the nutrition requirements and regulations for the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program and all applicable state and local laws and regulations.

• The school food service department will be responsible in its planning and       record-keeping procedures for following federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• The PRINCIPAL shall be responsible for ensuring that the school meets the local wellness policy requirements.

LOOKING TOWARDS SUMMER
Our students are still working hard and looking forward to a well-deserved break. You may want to look into Summer Camps, Reading Programs, or other ways to help your students keep their minds active this summer. Need ideas? Ask your teachers.

2017-2018 REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Registration Packets are available. If you know interested families, please bring them by, or contact Ms. Francine.

COMMUNITY GARDEN
We finished 10 garden boxes for the “Community Garden”, and classes are planting. Also, our Monarch Butterfly Memorial garden is almost done. Please come out and see it and join the gardening team.

SUMMER SCHOOL
If you have not turned in the Registration Fee of $25 per family, please do so as soon as possible. Summer School is Monday – Thursday from June 5 to June 29. The session runs from 8:30 – 12:15. Lunch is provided

WHO’S GOT TALENT?
Our Students Do!!!  They can sign up for a talent show on May 27th. See the flyer for details!

GRADUATION
Our ten 8th graders will graduate during our Graduation Mass, Friday, May 19, at 8:30.

SUMMER BREAK
Our staff will be here over the summer after Summer School is done. Please call and leave a message, and we will get back with you as soon as we can.

FIELD DAY
May 26th is our last day of school, and we have a Field Day of sports and activities. We also have a 12:30 dismissal.

NO BUSES
There are no buses on Friday, May 19, due to District 189 celebration of Malcom X Day.

Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School
Invites you to our

Spring Concert

Dress Rehearsal
Friday, May 5, 2017
10:00 a.m.

or

Sunday Event
Sunday, May 7, 2017
3:00 p.m.

In addition – mark your calendar to attend our
Graduation Mass
Friday, May 19, 2017
8:30 a.m.

All events located at 8213 Church Lane Chapel
East St. Louis, IL 62203

To learn more information about our school, please email or call
Email: roberta_trost@yahoo.com
Phone: 618-397-0316

Our students look forward to seeing you soon!

LENTEN GIVING

Lent calls us to give as we prepare for Easter. Since “most” of our students are not rich in money terms, we discussed other ways they could give. We are encouraging our students to give simple gifts like smiles, and we have asked them to also give forgiveness. Jesus told Peter to forgive “not seven, but seventy-seven times”, and so we also ask the students to forgive others in their classrooms, who may have offended them. This is good to also encourage at home.

ANNUAL REVIVAL

Do you need that LENTEN Wake-Up Call, so you are ready for EASTER MORNING? Why not join us for a true Revival with Rev. Maurice Nutt? It runs Mon, Apr 3 to Wed, Apr 5, with each night starting at 7 PM. The Revival takes place at St Augustine of Hippo Church, 400 Rev Joseph Brown Blvd, East St Louis. Have your student write the Revival Priest’s name on a piece of paper and give it to Mr. Nickerson before 8 AM.

BENEFIT DINNER

We had a great Benefit Dinner last Saturday. Many, many thank yous to all who attended and helped make it a success!

2017-2018 EARLY REGISTRATION

Registration Packets are available this week. We are putting them together, and will be sending them home to all the families that signed a Letter of Intent for next year. If you do not receive one today or Friday, please contact the office.

SAFARI DENTAL DAY

Start to mark your calendars! We will offer Dental Cleaning and Exams at school on May 10th. All students can be seen by professional dental staff. Children with a medical card or are on free and reduced lunch are free. All others can participate by using their insurance coverage or cash. This is a great way to keep our students healthy!

CELL PHONES

We are starting to see a lot more cell phones at school. Cell phones are never allowed at school, unless written permission from the principal is given. They are not allowed to be used on buses either. If your child does use a smart phone at home, DO THEM A FAVOR and check it often to see what they have been doing. It will help keep them safe from some darker sides of the Internet and Social Media.

CALENDAR
24   Mar     Mass 5th Grade, 3rd Qtr Awards after Mass
31   Mar     March Madness Peacemaker Day, Mass 4th Grade
3-5 Apr     Annual Revival, St Augustine of Hippo, 7 PM nightly.
3    Apr     Extended Day, Final Session Begins
4    Apr      Lenten Reconciliation Mass 2:30 – 3:00
7    Apr      Grade 3 Mass, 4th Qtr Midterm
10 – 12 Apr  Iowa Spring Testing
10 – 13 Apr  No buses
13    Apr Mass Gr 2
14 – 23 Apr  Easter Break

LENTEN GIVING

Lent calls us to pray as we prepare for Easter. Our students pray each day; in the morning, before lunch, and at the end of the day. Do they pray at home? Do they pray with the family? Will you pray with your student at the house, or ask another family member to help them add prayer at home. It is amazing how God answers even the simplest of prayers.
Matthew 18:20  “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

ANNUAL REVIVAL

Do you need that LENTEN Wake-Up Call, so you are ready for EASTER MORNING? Why not join us for a true Revival with Rev. Maurice Nutt? It runs Mon, Apr 3 to Wed, Apr 5, with each night starting at 7 PM. The Revival takes place at St Augustine of Hippo Church, 400 Rev Joseph Brown Blvd, East St Louis.

BENEFIT DINNER

We had a great Benefit Dinner last Saturday. Many, many thank yous to all who attended and helped make it a success!

2017-2018 EARLY REGISTRATION

Packets will be available the week after Report Card Conference for returning families. Please fill out a Letter of Intent.

SAFARI DENTAL DAY

Start to mark your calendars! We will offer Dental Cleaning and Exams at school on May 10th. All students can be seen by professional dental staff. Children with a medical card or are on free and reduced lunch are free.

CALENDAR

31 Mar     March Madness Peacemaker Day
3-5 Apr    Annual Revival, St Augustine of Hippo, 7 PM nightly.

QUIET PRAYER
As we continue our journey through Lent and seek our destination of Easter and the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, we are focused on prayer, fasting, and giving. Our challenge to each class is to start with 15 seconds of silent prayer. 15 seconds??? Yes, it might seem like no time at all, but try this at home to just sit still with your child for 15 seconds to listen for God. It will be challenging, but so rewarding!

WHO IS ONLINE?
May want to check this one out….you may recognize a few “Stars”. Visit the Bellevue New Democrat Online site for this “Good Samaritan” Follow-up:  http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article135445049.html


DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS
Please remember to set your clock forward Saturday night! If you forget, you will be one hour late to everything on Sunday! Get students to bed early on Sunday night, because Monday morning will be dark again, as they prepare for school.

SPELLING BEE
We will be cheering for Carre Webster, 6th grade, as she competes in the first round of the Regional Spelling Bee at McKendree University this Saturday. Students: Draw a Spelling Bee and give it to Mr Nickerson before 8 AM Friday.

BENEFIT DINNER:
We look forward to a wonderful Benefit Dinner on the 18th! Thank you for great support and basket items!

MEGA RAFFLE:
Each Ticket is $100, but you can win $10,000, $1,000, or $500 dollars! Can you sell a few tickets at church, to friends, to family? Only 300 tickets are sold, so the odds of winning are better than a lottery! Contact Ms. Karen Waide at the school (618) 397-0316.

REPORT CARD CONFERENCES
3rd Quarter ends next Friday, March 3rd. Report Card Conferences are on Thursday, March 16th. These are mandatory conferences. Sign-up requests are going home today.

There is no school on Thursday, March 16th or Friday, March 17th due to conferences.

2017-2018 EARLY REGISTRATION
Packets will be available at the Report Card Conference for returning families.

OPEN HOUSE and KINDERGARTEN TEA
Do you appreciate the education we provide at our school? Invite friends and family with grade school age children to our OPEN HOUSE or KINDERGARTEN TEA. Contact the office to set up an appointment 397-0397. YOU are our best advertisement!

OPEN HOUSE and KINDERGARTEN TEA: Wednesday, March 22: 9 -11AM or 1-3 PM
OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, March 23: 4-5 PM

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Somebody recently used the term “Alternate Facts”. I was very lucky that during my years in the military, we celebrated Black History Month with activities, luncheons, speeches, and enlightening articles in the military newspaper. Through these experiences, many of the “Alternate Facts” of our American and World History began to be erased, and they were replaced with real facts of a history rich in cultures, accomplishments, and contributions of people of African descent from across our globe. Don’t just celebrate; educate!

BENEFIT DINNER 

Our families are the heart of the Benefit Dinner, whether as guests or volunteers. We have a lot of work to do to make the Dinner a success financially and socially! Without you there, who can really tell our other guests about the impact this school has on your students?  Reserve your tickets now and keep tuition costs low!!! Benefit Dinner is March 18, 2017.

CAMP ONDESSONK

Our students have a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a week in the Summer at camp! Last week, they heard great stories about all the adventures. Camp Ondessonk offers several levels of payment and great scholarships! Check out their website for specifics on the essay needed for the scholarships:  https://ondessonk.com/giving/scholarships/ . Also on May 13^th, they have an Open House:  https://ondessonk.com/event/first-time-camper-open-house/ .

SPECIAL COLLECTION:We delivered a car full of needed items to help Syrian families sponsored by the St Louis International Institute. You all were so generous, and we received a heartfelt “Thank You” from the staff and families they serve! Thank you for your warm welcome gift for our “New Americans”!

NO SCHOOL FEBRUARY 20th

Celebrate President’s Day with your family!  No school!

SMART TUITION TAX STATEMENT

SMART TUITION has changed how they do Tax Statements. This year, we cannot print them, so please log onto SMART TUITION, Click on Family Year End Statement after you login, and you can print your statement.

NJHS INDUCTION CEREMONY

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) will hold their Induction Ceremony for all new members on the 6^th of Feb immediately following 8:30 mass. All family and friends are warmly invited to attend!

You are cordially invited to the

Fourteenth Annual
Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School
Benefit Gala

Saturday, March 18th, 2017
Four Points by Sheraton
19 Fountains Parkway
Fairview Heights, IL 62208

Entertainment & Silent Auction 6:00 p.m.
Dinner 7:00 p.m.
Live Auction 8:30 p.m.

$50.00 per person
$500.00 per table sponsor of eight
Reservations required by February 20th, 2017

For more information
please contact Roberta Trost at [618] 397-0316
roberta_trost@yahoo.com

Evening Highlights

Zip Rzeppa – Master of Ceremonies

David Schumacher – Auctioneer

“Heart of Thea Foundation– Each One Teach One”

Fund-A-Need – Dollar for Dollar Match for Tuition Assistance Returns

Mega Raffle – Drawing the night of event
1st Prize $10,000
2nd Prize $1,000
3rd Prize $500
$100 per ticket
Need not be present to win

PRINTABLE INVITATION

PRINTABLE RSVP FORM