The new school year has started and life is back in full swing again for parents and children. Remember to take time to relax and enjoy time with your families.

I would like to welcome all the new students who have joined the Sunset Academy family and are so thrilled to have all of you with us.

REMINDER: Sunset Academy will be closed on Monday, September 6^th in recognition of Labor Day.

NOTE: With the increase in cases due to the Delta Variant, CDC is now recommending that even vaccinated people mask up while in indoor settings. Please be sure to do your part to keep yourselves and your families safe.

As a reminder, we are having our staff meetings again on the 2^nd Friday of each month. This is for staff training and development. We will be closing at 4:00 p.m. on those days. Dates are posted at the check-in area. September 10^th will be our staff meeting this month.

Thank you, parents, for your precautions keeping your child at home when sick or not feeling well. We know the extra stress this creates, but as you all know it is required to keep everybody safe and healthy. We truly appreciate you all.

Sleep, an important part to starting a successful new school year:

Now that the summer holiday is over, many children, parents and teachers are preparing to start a new school year. For some parents, it may mean that their child is starting a new school which can be daunting for both parties. For teachers it may mean preparing to teach a different year group or even moving to another school which can create joy as well as a fear of the unknown.

The mark of a new school year is often anticipated with a mix of emotions for kids and parents alike, ranging from exhilaration to anxiety. Kids are excited to wear their new clothes, see their classmates and participate in extracurricular activities. Parents are proud to see their kids reach this milestone and look forward to exciting new experiences for their growing child.

But the new school year can also bring about challenges that leave kids and parents anxious.

Sufficient sleep is essential to proper brain function. When kids are deprived of sleep, it can interfere with their memory, attention and ability to learn. Insufficient sleep can also adversely affect health. It contributes to Type 2 diabetes in children and teens.

Mental health is also affected by sleep. Kids who don’t get enough quality sleep are at risk for mood swings, anxiety, hyperactivity and aggressive behavior.

To help your kids fall asleep better, set a curfew and regular bedtime for school nights accordingly. On weekends, kids want to stay up later. Just try not to let their weekend sleep patterns veer too far from their weeknight routine. Otherwise, it’ll be a challenge to get them back on track. Also:

• Remove media from bedrooms at night.
• Set a curfew of two to three hours before bed for caffeine.
• Keep bedroom temperatures 3 degrees cooler at night than during the daytime.
• Make sure your kids have plenty of blankets.
• Have your children take a hot bath before bed.
• Have kids eat a light, high-carbohydrate snack, such as fruit or white grains before bed

Nina Emmer – Director, Sunset Academy.