Easy afternoon snacks and school dictionary

Easy afternoon snacks and school dictionary

Remember how June Cleaver always had fresh cookies that just came out of the oven when Wally and Beaver arrived home from school? (If you don’t remember that, you might be able to catch some reruns of Leave it to Beaver on Nick at Night or TVLand!)

Anyway, who doesn’t like fresh cookies just out of the oven? However, even if you don’t fancy yourself a June Cleaver, you can still make easy afternoon snacks that your kids will love.

By the time they get off the bus or walk in the door they’re so hungry they could eat dirt. You’re probably familiar with the well-known picture of your children standing in front of the refrigerator, door wide open, staring inside for something delightful to jump out.

Of course they’d probably love to grab an ice cream sandwich, instead of an apple; a bag of chips over a bag of rice cakes. Give them a snack that’s quick, nutritional and something the’ll want. Here are a few suggestions:

Freeze bite size chunks of fruit. Watermelon, pineapple and apple slices tossed into a bag and then into the freezer make a refreshing, crunchy snack. The trick is that you want to have something convenient. They’re hungry – you don’t (and neither do they) want to have to make something after school. Have it ready to pop in-to their mouth.

You can make a variety of kabobs. Adults usually like some meat chunks, with a little onion, green pepper and pine-apple on their skewer, then onto the grill. Kids want something different.

Marshmallows, cheese, grapes, apple wedges, pine-apple, banana slices, pretzels, and slices of rolled up ham or turkey are choice ingredients to stack your kabobs. Have those waiting in the refrigerator when the kids get home and you’ll hear no whines of “There’s nothing to eeeeeeeeeat!”

If you’re totally at a loss for creativity, then use some fun bowls, plates or cups. Serve fresh fruit in a margarita glass. Put Goldfish crackers in a goldfish bowl and use a fish net to scoop out the yummy aquatic crackers. Use a new net, of course…  not the one you use for Gill!

Imagine the look on your kids’ face when they come home to find an ice cream cone stuffed with Waldorf salad: Carrots, celery, apple, walnuts, and raisins with a touch of mayonnaise and lemon juice. You’ve heard that variety is the spice of life. Your kids will concur. You don’t want the same old – same old, and neither do they.

CURRICULUM

The District’s Core Curriculum includes various areas of study that support the overall academic growth of your child, such as Language Arts, Mathematics, Physical Education and others. These subject areas are managed by separate departments that develop curriculum and learning resources; establish graduation requirements, and ensure that the programs meet the Sunshine State Standards. For a list of subject areas in the core curriculum, visit the Core Curriculum Web site.

DISCIPLINE MATRIX

The Discipline Matrix is a tool used by administrators when students have committed serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct. This tool is designed to offer consistency at all levels across the District so that students are disciplined fairly from school to school when their behavior requires punishment beyond the classroom. There are two different versions of the Matrix: one for grades K-5 and one for grades 6-12. Both are available online for your review. If you have questions about the Discipline Matrix, please contact your school administrator.

EXPULSION

The Code of Student Conduct contains information about behaviors that can lead to expulsion. Each student receives the Code at the beginning of the school year. It is also available online.

GUIDANCE COUNSELING

School guidance counselors promote and enhance achievement with an annual comprehensive guidance plan that ensures that every student receives guidance services. Credentialed school counselors provide comprehensive counseling programs that incorporate prevention and intervention with continuous academic, career and personal/development activities that will prepare them for meaningful participation in a diverse, changing world.

These activities include Classroom guidance, small groups for skill mastery, individual counseling for students with specific needs and a variety of other proactive and innovative ways to support student performance.

School counselors implement a program based on the National Standards for School Counseling programs and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model.

They also provide resources to staff, students, families and others to ensure that a family friendly environment is established and ensure that students have access to a safe school climate necessary for academic and social/emotional growth.