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Enroll Today in Princeton Ballet School's Summer Programs
Princeton Ballet School's Summer Programs
Enroll now at Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, for our 2026 Summer Programs! Take your training to the next level with an extraordinary ballet experience. Princeton Ballet School offers programs for students ages 4 and up, including the Summer Training Program (ages 12+) an intensive to study classical & contemporary styles, the Junior Summer Training Program (ages 7-12) to build strength, technique, & style, the Ballet Explorer Camps (ages 4-6) for creative movement, expression, and discipline, and Open Drop-In Classes for adults. Registration is open now! Visit arballet.org/summer-programs to learn more and enroll today.
Schools and American Diabetes Month: Building Awareness for a Healthier Future
As American Diabetes Month takes place each November, it’s an ideal time for schools to engage students, parents, and educators in discussions about diabetes awareness, prevention, and management. Schools play a crucial role in shaping lifelong health habits, and with childhood diabetes on the rise, these efforts are more critical than ever.
The Growing Need for Awareness in Schools
Diabetes affects millions of Americans, and the numbers are rising. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that around 283,000 youth under the age of 20 are living with diagnosed diabetes in the United States, with Type 1 diabetes being more common among children but Type 2 on the rise as well. Alarmingly, nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children (ages 2-19) are classified as obese—a significant risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
The CDC predicts that if current trends continue, 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050, making early education and prevention all the more essential. Since children spend a significant portion of their day in school, schools can help teach students about balanced nutrition, exercise, and the importance of healthy choices.
Creating a Supportive School Environment
Schools can provide vital support to students by fostering awareness and understanding of diabetes. Here’s how schools can take meaningful action during American Diabetes Month and beyond:
- Nutrition Education: Integrating healthy eating lessons into the curriculum empowers students to make nutritious choices. Providing hands-on experiences, such as cooking classes or school gardens, can teach students about fresh produce and whole foods.
- Healthy Lunch Initiatives: Schools should prioritize providing balanced meals that are low in added sugars and high in essential nutrients. In light of recent concerns over heavy metals and pesticides in some school lunch items, ensuring the quality and safety of school-provided meals has become even more pressing. Healthy school lunches can lay the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits and help prevent diet-related health issues.
- Physical Activity: Encouraging regular physical activity is essential in reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Schools can promote physical fitness by incorporating exercise into daily schedules, organizing sports clubs, and promoting active play during recess.
- Awareness Campaigns and Educational Events: Hosting events or assemblies on diabetes awareness helps destigmatize the disease and opens the door to honest conversations. Schools can invite healthcare professionals to talk to students about diabetes, its symptoms, and ways to prevent it.
- Support for Students with Diabetes: Schools must also be equipped to support students already living with diabetes. This can include training staff to recognize symptoms of high and low blood sugar, setting up a safe space for blood glucose monitoring, and providing access to healthy snacks.
Statistics That Tell the Story
To put the impact of diabetes in perspective:
? 30 million Americans live with diabetes, and approximately 84 million more have prediabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.
? Obesity, a major risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, affects 1 in 5 children, making early education on healthy habits crucial.
? Studies show that over 80% of diabetes cases can be prevented with lifestyle changes, including proper diet and physical activity.
Working Together for a Healthier Tomorrow
American Diabetes Month reminds us of the importance of proactive health education in schools. By fostering healthy habits, encouraging nutritious diets, and supporting students with diabetes, schools can make a significant difference in the fight against diabetes. This November, let’s work together to promote awareness and build a healthier future for the next generation.
9 Tips for Parents If Your Child is Changing Schools
My last blog discussed my reactions about our recent move. I’m happy to report we are settling into our new home, and I thank everyone for all of the good wishes.
The anxiety I experienced as an adult made me think of all of the children who may be changing schools come September. Whether your family is moving — or your child is changing schools for any number of other reasons — there are steps you can take now to ease the transition for your child.
Whatever the age of your child, it’s a good idea to arrange a visit to the new school. Although school is not in session over the summer, a visit will demystify the new school environment by enabling your child to see the physical building, including classrooms, playground, and cafeteria. The principal may be around, and as the school year approaches, teachers may be at the school setting up their classrooms. Meeting some of the school personnel will familiarize your child with the new cast of characters in his or her life.
There are also many excellent children’s books for young children that deal with school, such as Curious George Goes to School by Margret Rey, and The Berenstain Bears Go to School by Jan and Stan Berenstain. My all time favorite book for children and adults of all ages is Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. It inspires kids of all ages to be bold and courageous in new situations.
Here are some tips to help you and your child become comfortable in the new school.
1. It is normal for both you and your child to be anxious about entering a new school, but if you have concerns, please don’t express them to your child. Express confidence and optimism about his/her ability to meet the new challenges.
2. Look for opportunities for your child to meet his/her classmates over the summer. Check with the school principal, PTA, religious and social organizations and other groups to find connections.
3. If your child has special needs, such as a learning disability or food allergy, work with the new school as far in advance as possible to determine placement and to line up services and support.
4. Keep the spark of learning alive during the summer. Students can lose from one to three months of learning during the summer, so plan to keep your child engaged by encouraging reading, word games, math and nature activities. Simply cooking and baking with kids can help develop math, reading, and science skills.
5. Call the PTA or PTO president and introduce yourself. Parent organization leaders are in a good position to share information and issues about the new school with you. Ask how you can contribute your skills and interests. Getting actively involved in your child’s new school benefits you and your child! Research indicates that the more involved parents are, the more successful their own children will be.
6. Know the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of your children’s teachers, principal, and school nurse. By all means, contact them if you have questions or concerns.
7. Become familiar with your school and school district websites, and check them for calendar changes, meeting announcements and minutes, news, policies and procedures, and other information.
8. Check your mail for the publication of the annual calendar/directory. Keep it in an accessible place.
9. Find out how your school communicates important information to parents and then be alert to those messages. Is it by automated phone message, e-mail blasts, electronically through systems such as Parent Portal, newsletters, snail-mail, or in your kids’ backpacks?
Staying on top of information and issues will enable you to be a proactive and informed parent. Your ongoing engagement, support, and encouragement will expedite your child’s transition into the new school.
