Weekly Update: February 17 to February 21

Posted on 2025-02-17 18:00:55.695 +0000 UTC

Weekly Update: February 17 to February 21

Happy Monday, Grizzly families!

We hope you had a chance to enjoy some family time this long weekend!

Convention, as always, had a great deal of offerings for the ongoing learning of our staff. If our teachers had sessions like mine, then I suspect that they will be sharing ideas and strategies with their students and colleagues as soon as this week. I had a laugh after one of my sessions which included excellent information for our literacy team. I had hoped to text a teacher to share the information with her; to my surprise, however, she approached me at the end of the session because she was sitting at the back of the room sharing the same thoughts as mine. We plan on talking more about this as the year continues.

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL: To continue the topic of healthy eating, I am sharing information on processed foods this week. We notice that many lunches coming into the school include highly processed foods, which are not part of a healthy eating pattern. It’s interesting to see how many students are eating a bag of chips during nutrition break. It’s also interesting to see many students eating fruit and a protein snack. Highly processed foods are processed or prepared foods and drinks that add excess sodium, sugars or saturated fat to the diets of Canadians. Read on for some ideas to consider when working with your child to make healthy lunches part of their routine.

Highly processed foods can include:

sugary drinks
syrups and jams
chocolate and candies
potato chips and pretzels
sauces, dressings and gravies
ice cream and frozen desserts
bakery products like muffins and cakes
fast foods like French fries and burgers
frozen entrées like pasta dishes and pizzas
processed meats like sausages and deli meats

Our food environment is changing. Highly processed foods are readily available, and people are eating more of them. Eating highly processed foods increases a person’s intake of sodium, sugars or saturated fat. Eating too much sodium, sugars or saturated fat can increase the risk of chronic disease.

Sodium: A higher sodium intake can lead to higher blood pressure, which may lead to heart disease. Sodium is often added to foods to preserve them and for taste. Highly processed foods are the main source of sodium for Canadians.

Sugars: Eating and drinking a lot of foods and drinks with added sugars has been linked to an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Having too many sugary drinks has been linked to an increased risk of cavities in children.

Saturated fat: Replacing foods that have mostly saturated fat with foods that have healthy fats can help lower the risk of heart disease.

Processed meats: Processed meats can be high in both sodium and saturated fat. Eating too many processed meats has been linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer (can also be called colon cancer or rectal cancer).

How to limit highly processed foods

If you eat highly processed foods, try to:

eat them less often
eat them in small amounts
replace them with healthier options

You can:

replace sugary drinks with water
try not to keep highly processed foods at home
choose healthier menu options when eating out
choose less processed foods, such as:
leftover baked chicken instead of deli meats
steel-cut oats instead of sweetened instant oats
make homemade versions of your favourite highly processed foods:
try a healthy muffin recipe to replace store-bought muffins
make your own frozen dinners by choosing a healthy recipe and freezing it in meal-sized portions
stock your kitchen with healthy snacks. Try quick and easy options like: nuts, fruit, carrots, and hard-boiled eggs
plan your meals and snacks in advance to include vegetables and fruit, whole grain foods, and protein foods
limit the use of highly processed spreads and dressings in meals and snacks and use the food label when grocery shopping to make informed choices.

Retrieved on February 15, 2025, and adapted from: https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/healthy-eating-recommendations/limit-highly-processed-foods/

Did you know?

NEW: Our dress code includes the request that all students NOT wear side bags or purses, and that students keep their backpacks in their lockers all day. We have noted lately that with some fashion trends, some students are wearing what appears to be a small, zippered wallet attached to the outside of their pants. We have reminded our students that these are not to be worn at school. Please support us by reminding your child at home before they leave for school. We thank you for keeping our school safe.
REPEAT: Our next school council is this Wednesday, February 18, at 6:00 p.m. At this meeting I will be presenting information on school fees and our school development plan. The presentation includes a follow up survey for parents and guardians so that you can share your opinions.
REPEAT: March’s School Council Meeting is Wednesday, March 19.

WEEKLY EVENTS:  FEBRUARY 17 TO FEBRUARY 21

Monday, February 17 – FAMILY DAY - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, February 18 – TLC students in formal uniforms

2:45 – 3:45 | SWAT Meeting
2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Practice
3:45 – 4:45 | Senior Boys Volleyball Practice
4:15 – 5:15 | Junior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Crossing Park @ Crossing Park School
5:15 – 6:15 | Senior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Crossing Park @ Crossing Park School

Wednesday, February 19

2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Girls AND Senior Girls Combined Volleyball Practice
4:15 – 5:15 | Senior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Crossing Park @ Annie Gale School
5:15 – 6:15 | Junior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Crossing Park @ Annie Gale School
6:00 – 7:30 | School Council Meeting (blended format – in-person and online)

Thursday, February 20

2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Boys Volleyball Practice
3:45 – 4:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Practice

Friday, February 21 - EVEN A DAY

Sincerely,

Tammy Quiring

(proud) Principal