Hopeful Happenings
Kids at Hope at Christensen
Tôi là một đứa trẻ hy vọng!
Tôi tài năng, thông minh, và có khả
năng thành công.
Tôi có ước mơ cho tương lai, và tôi
sẽ leo lên để đạt được những mục
tiêu và ước mơ mỗi ngày.
Tất cả trẻ em có khả năng thành
công, không có ngoại lệ!
HOPE HAPPENS HERE!
Hope Focus: Community & Service
"Those who are happiest or those who do the most for others."
~ Booker T. Washington
During the month of February, we will focus on one of the four time travel destinations: Community & Service. This destination is unique in that it focuses not on what you'll do for your own success, but what you'll do to help others experience success.
From the time I was five years old all the way until I graduated from high school, I played soccer. Many skills were learned along the way, like how to kick, pass, trap, and make runs, all of which helped me successfully navigate the sport. But, equally important (if not more), through soccer I learned what it meant to be part of a community. As a member of a team, others were counting on me to do my part, to be there, and to not give up. And I was also counting on my teammates for the same things. The game was not about me showcasing what I could do. It was about using my own talents, skills, and knowledge to contribute to the success of a group of people.
So it goes with community. When we feel part of something bigger than ourselves, we are motivated to extend ourselves in ways that we might not on our own. When we understand that we can impact others for the better, we are motivated to do better. Community also does a great deal for our own sense of security and safety. When we are surrounded by people who care about us, our trust in others grows, strengthening the relationships we have with those around us.
There are many communities to which we belong. On a small scale, we are each part of our own household community. Slightly extended, we are each members of our neighborhood, then city, then state, then country. On the largest scale, we belong to a global community. In each of these communities, we have the opportunity to give back in a way that makes life better for others both near and far away.
So, how do you give back? A helpful starting point is thinking about things that matter to you. Do you love your pets or other animals more than anything? Do you want to live in a safe, friendly neighborhood? What about living on a clean, healthy planet? Do you enjoy connecting with others? What about making art? What are you passionate about? Choosing something important to you will motivate you to give back on a greater scale.
Next, think about the talents, skills, and knowledge you have. How can you use your abilities to serve your community? We all have something this world needs...what is it for you?
Last, get to it! The sooner you can start giving back, the sooner your community becomes a place of belonging, safety, and success for everyone. And a connected, safe, and successful community is a community of hope.
Hope in History: Celebrating Black History Month
Some notable moments of hope in Black/African American history:
- 1845: Frederick Douglass publishes Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, written by himself, one of the enduring classics of American literature.
- 1851: Freedwoman Sojourner Truth, a compelling speaker for abolitionism, gives her famous "Ain't I a Woman" speech in Akron, Ohio.
- January 1, 1863: President Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, abolishing slavery in the United States.
- 1863: U.S. Medal of Honor is awarded to the first African American soldier, William H. Carney, for his courage shown at the Battle of Fort Wagner.
- June 19, 1865: All enslaved African Americans are freed as a result of General Robert E. Lee's surrender indicating the end of the Civil War.
- 1870: U.S. Congress passes the 15th amendment, granting African American men the right to vote.
- 1836: Jesse Owens wins four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics: the 100-meter sprint, the 200-meter dash, the broad jump, and the 400-meter relay.
- September 22, 1950: Ralph J. Bunch is the first African American awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role as mediator in the Palestinian conflict.
- 1954: Supreme Court rules that separating children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional, signaling the end of legalized racial segregation in U.S. schools.
- August 28, 1963: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers "I Have a Dream" at the end of the March on Washington. His speech was broadcast around the world.
- July 2, 1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964 is signed into law, prohibiting discrimination in public places, providing for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and making employment discrimination illegal.
- 1968: Arthur Ashe wins first tennis title, the U.S. Open, Wimbeldon.
- 1983: Vanessa Williams becomes the first African American woman to win the Miss America pageant.
- September 12, 1992: Mae Jemison becomes the first African American woman to go into space.
- 2001 & 2005: Colin Powell becomes the first African American U.S. Secretary of State & Condoleezza Rice becomes the first African American woman U.S. Secretary of State.
- November 4, 2008: Barack Obama defeats John McCain to be elected the first African American President of the United States.
- December 14, 2019: Women of color win all 5 major pageants in the world, including Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, Miss America, Miss Universe, and Miss World.
- January 20, 2021: Kamala Harris is sworn in as the first African American and Asian American woman Vice President of the United States.
There are many ways to celebrate Black History Month. Click the links below to explore and learn more!
Video of the Month: "How to Change the World" by Kid President
Kids at Hope Have Strong Character!
CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH
CHARACTER CHECK
Have you shown kindness by:
- Helping others?
- Speaking respectfully, especially when you're upset?
- Being thoughtful of the needs or wants of others?
- Surprising someone by doing something nice for them?
- Giving someone a compliment?
- Telling those you love that you love them?
- Waving at or greeting people you come into contact with?
CALLING ALL KIDS AT HOPE!
If you are a student at Christensen Elementary, you have the chance to be featured in this newsletter! "Spotlight on Hope" is a student piece where we hear from students about hope-- what it means to you, where you see it, and what you do to have it. You can submit an art piece, writing piece, or video. Students can submit from their Canvas course, "SEL with Mrs. Roppo," by clicking the "Kids at Hope" button on the home page.
Looking forward to your ideas on hope!
To all our Kids at Hope: You are here with us, even though you're not HERE with us!
WE BELIEVE IN YOU ALWAYS!