November Newsletter: Gratitude
WMS School Counseling Newsletter 2020
What's Going on WMS?!
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE DAY-NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Save the date and mark your calendars!
ELECTION DAY-NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR TEACHERS
Remember to encourage all eligible citizens to VOTE! Can't vote? Take some time to learn about the candidates and their political views. Some day you will be able to vote!
TEACHER WORK DAY-NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Take some time to prepare for next quarter. Get organized! Get ready!
STUDENT LED CONFERENCES
VETERANS DAY
November 11, 2020
Thank you to ALL that serve!
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY-NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
Safely enjoy time with family and friends. Remember or think of ways that you are thankful.
Why Celebrate Veteran's Day?
The Purpose of Veterans' Day?
Veterans Day honors all military members, whether they served in war-time or not, and it's a celebration of living military members, along with those who are deceased. Originally, the holiday was called "Armistice Day," in reference to the armistice that was signed on November 11, 1918, that concluded World War I. After World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, veterans advocates encouraged the change to be more inclusive of all veterans.
Honoring our Veterans
There is a range of respectful and meaningful ways to honor a veteran on Veterans Day.
Involve yourself in your town's events, whether it's a parade, festival, or another ceremony.
For more ways to honor our Veterans click here: https://www.rd.com/list/supporting-veterans/
NOVEMBER IS MILITARY FAMILY MONTH
Military Family Month dedicates November to military families around the world. The observance recognizes the commitment and dedication these families make to their service members. Their sacrifices make it possible for our military to remain organized and strong.
While their service men and women are actively serving, deployed or training, their families provide a vital foundation at home that allows confidence in the field. Spouses and children are often separated from their service member for long periods of time and over great distances. Communication can be patchy and under stressful conditions. And they frequently move, uprooting children and jobs. But, military families are adaptable.
During November, the country honors the military families who make the U.S. Armed Forces strong.
HOW TO OBSERVE #MilitaryFamilyMonth
- Give thanks! Thank a veteran, active duty, reserve or national guard service member or family member for their service by giving back.
- Offer Support! Ask your military families how you can support them. Many will not ask when they need it. In many cases, through deployments or other circumstances, military families will band together. But even then that may not be enough.
- Adopt a Family! Adopt a military family for the holidays. Offer to run errands for military spouses who may have their hands full with their children or even their pets.
- Volunteer or donate services to military organizations.
Use #MilitaryFamilyMonth to post on social media.
Retrieved from https://nationaldaycalendar.com/military-family-month-november/
WMS Military & Families!
Mr. Keyon Reynolds
Proud Principal Owens & Family
Ms. Jacqueline M. Parham
Cultural & Diversity Corner
NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Thousands of years before Christopher Columbus and his crews landed their ships in the Bahamas, the Native Americans had cultivated lives and communities there. Native American history overflows with a variety of diverse groups and prominent leaders and figures like Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Sacagawea, and Pocahontas. Native Americans were always known for hard work and quick instinct. Today, there are about 4.5 million Native Americans in the United States, making about 1.5 percent of our population. Take some time to learn about and celebrate their culture this month.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
Use #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth to post on social media. Keep Native American Heritage alive this November, and for all the months to follow! Here are a few ways you can celebrate this month.
- Read a Native American history book, or a novel that dives into the history and traditions of native people. Movies like Pocahontas tend to sensationalize truth about Native American history, so reading a book will likely give you a more realistic vision.
- Play a game of lacrosse! Believe it or not, lacross was one variety of indigenous stickball games the American Indians played as early as the 12th century.
- Watch an Authentic Movie! There are a few movies made about Native Americans that aren’t as oversensationalized and are definitely worth a watch. Try Reel Injun, Smoke Signals, Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, and Winter in the Blood.
- Get in the kitchen and try a native recipe! There are tons of mouthwatering recipes from native soups, to roasted duck, or even pumpkin bread for a tasty fall treat.
- Educate yourself! Finally, learn the true story about the very first thanksgiving. What you were taught in elementary school isn’t quite accurate. Click here to learn!
Retrieved from: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-native-american-heritage-month-november/
THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!
FAMILIES IN NEED OF SUPPORT
During the Thanksgiving holiday, many families are in need of support. Are you interested in holiday support? Please contact a member of Student Services (School counselors, nurse, social worker or psychologist), your administrator or a teacher. We are here to support you and your family. Supports are confidential. Complete form to let us know how we can help!
CONFIDENTIAL: Please provide student services with any information pertaining to students that may be in need of the following: Academic Support, Social/Emotional Support, and/or Personal (Student/Family In Need). Student Services will tier students and provide support as needed throughout the year.
Please note that all social/emotional/mental health and or child abuse/neglect concerns that involve harm/danger to self/others or require immediate attention should follow all PWCS/WMS policies and procedures before completing this form.
Thank you for your support and collaboration to ensure students needs are met.
CONFIDENTIAL: Please note that any information provided will be kept with the highest level of confidentiality. Student Services would like to help/support you during this difficult school year. Please let us know if you may need any or all of the following: Academic Support, Social/Emotional Support, and/or Personal (Student/Family In Need).
Should your student be in need of immediate assistance regarding social/emotional/mental well being or immediate physical/medical health please STOP and do not complete this form at this time. Please follow emergency and medical protocols (i.e. 911, community medical/mental health personnel).
Student Services will try its best to provide school supports/resources as needed throughout the year. We are here for you!