March 5 – Take Five Iowa Day

Partnership for a Drug-Free Iowa/Face-It Together and the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy have proclaimed March 5 as Take Five Iowa Day. On that day parents are asked to pause for a few minutes and talk with their children about the danger of drugs. Our Fifth Grade students will be receiving materials in their Express Envelopes today regarding this special day. Below is some valuable information from The Partnership for a Drug-Free Iowa:

Talking With Your Children About Drugs: 5-8 Years Old. Now is the time to begin explaining what alcohol, tobacco and drugs are. Discuss how anything you put in your body that is not food can be harmful. Explain the idea of addiction, that drug use can become a bad habit that’s hard to stop. Praise your children for taking good care of their bodies and avoiding things that might harm them. 9-11 Years Old. Children this age can handle more sophisticated discussion; use their curiosity about traumatic events (such as car accidents or divorces) to discuss how drugs could cause these events. Friends become extremely important at this time, and older children may expose your child to alcohol, tobacco or drugs. Rehearse scenarios in which friends offer drugs. “Upsetting my parents” is one of the top reasons preteens give for why they won’t use marijuana; give them permission to use you as an excuse, such as, “My mom will kill me if I drink a beer!” 

For additional information, visit www.drugfreeinfo.org or www.FaceItTogether.com. Also, you can call the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center toll-free line (1.866.242.4111) for help with what to say to your children.

Good morning everyone!  Today is Mardi Gras, which means the beginning of the Lenten season.  

In honor of Mardi Gras, I am going to be posting a blog about the wonderful things I have experienced so far this year!  I have had the honor to work with many of the students at the three school districts as well as to meet many of the wonderful parents and guardians that are choosing to give their children a Catholic Education.  I cannot express how great of an experience that has been for me both personally and professionally.  I truly enjoy seeing and talking to children and adults at both the good times and the bad.  You all are truly amazing people.  So in this time of Celebration of Mardi Gras I want to say thank you for letting me be part of your life! 

~ Mrs. Coleman