Some thoughts and suggestions for packing lunch and snack

Packing snack and lunch for a meat-free, peanut-free, tree nut-free kosher classroom can be tricky. I asked the readers of my Jewish parenting blog Homeshuling for their suggestions. For those of you on facebook, you can find their great ideas here. If you can't access it, please let me know and I'll make you a hard copy.

Some children didn't eat much today. Please know that we encourage but do not force children to eat at school, but we do insist that they stay at the table with their food in front of them for the full time. If you have any concerns about your individual child, please contact Morah Amy or Morah Nancy.

Conversely, some children ate almost all of their food at snack and had almost nothing left at lunch! Some families for whom this is a concern choose to pack two separate bags, one for snack and one for lunch, or let their children know which food is meant for which time of day.

We do not keep a supply of plastic utensils in the Gan room. Please make sure to pack utensils, or keep an extra supply in your child's cubby. And thank you for remembering water bottles! We take them out at every outdoor recess this time of year and encourage children to stay hydrated.

Some highlights of the day - exploring pattern blocks and math, heping each other balance beanbags on our heads (don't worry, we didn't share beanbags with each other!) and reading partners with the sixth grade - are captured in our latest snapfish photo album.

Tomorrow we end the day with an all school shabbat gathering that begins at 2:40. Parents are warmly invited to join the school for this monthly event.