"I'm so tired." "My mom didn't pack me enough lunch!".

These are two statements I've been hearing this past month from my students. This is a growing time for your fourth grader, and they require more sleep, and more food than they did in previous years. We work hard, and play hard each day. A balanced breakfast, followed by high protein, low carb snack is vital to maintain good energy throughout the morning. Please make sure to pack enough food to curb hunger at snack and lunch time. Usually I see students eating their snack and lunch during snack time, leaving them with no food for lunch.

In the last three weeks, three student have fallen asleep during independent reading time. Fourth graders require 10-12 hours of sleep each night. Research has proven that poor sleep habits, and lack of sleep affects school performance:

"Reducing sleep may disrupt the ability of students to concentrate for long periods of time, and remember what they learn in class. According to a study, children with reduced sleep are more likely to struggle with verbal creativity, problem solving, inhibiting their behaviour, and generally score lower on IQ tests according to current leading research." (http://www.douglas.qc.ca/info/sleep-and-children-impact-of-lack-of-sleep-on-daily-life.)

Please establish good bedtime routines to insure a restful night for your child.