Community Nest
"Relationships are the agents of change." Dr. Bruce Perry
November 15 - November 19
Our Gray Hawk Mission Statement
OUR GRAY HAWK FAMILY works together to help students feel safe, loved, and inspired so they can be empowered learners and engaged citizens.
MAP Testing begins on Tuesday 11/30

Congratulations to Aniah for Designing OUR 1st Yearbook Cover!


YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED

Featured Literature
Jerry Pinkney was an illustrator and writer of over 100 picture books. He is famous for his beautifully illustrated picture books celebrating folktales, difference makers, and stories of diverse origins. His books have been awarded multiple awards. Five Coretta Scott King awards, the Caldecott Gold Medal, Horn Book Award and the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. He was working at a newspaper stand in New York City when a commercial artist noticed his work and inspired him to continue his education. He worked with the U.S Postal Service on its Black Heritage Stamp Collection, and with the National Geographic Society and the National Park Service. Jerry Pinkney passed away in October at the age of 81.
Featured Title: “John Henry” A retelling of the life of famous African American hero who famously competed against a steam powered drill.

The Mouse and the Lion In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher's trap. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes. | A Place to LandAs a new generation of activists demands an end to racism, A Place to Land reflects on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and the movement that it galvanized. Winner of the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Selected for the Texas Bluebonnet Master List Much has been written about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington. But there's little on his legendary speech and how he came to write it. Martin Luther King, Jr. was once asked if the hardest part of preaching was knowing where to begin. No, he said. The hardest part is knowing where to end. "It's terrible to be circling up there without a place to land." Finding this place to land was what Martin Luther King, Jr. struggled with, alongside advisors and fellow speech writers, in the Willard Hotel the night before the March on Washington, where he gave his historic "I Have a Dream" speech. But those famous words were never intended to be heard on that day, not even written down for that day, not even once. Barry Wittenstein teams up with legendary illustrator Jerry Pinkney to tell the story of how, against all odds, Martin found his place to land. | Minty They called her "Minty." When she grew up, she became Harriet Tubman, the courageous and heroic woman who helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad. But she was just a little girl for a while—and this is her story. Minty, short for Araminta, was a feisty and headstrong young slave, whose rebellious spirit often got her into trouble. She told stories to her doll, released animals from traps, and, above all, dreamed of running away. And when her father began to teach her the skills necessary for escape, she listened carefully, and learned. . . . |
The Mouse and the Lion
A Place to Land
As a new generation of activists demands an end to racism, A Place to Land reflects on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and the movement that it galvanized.
Winner of the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
Selected for the Texas Bluebonnet Master List
Much has been written about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington. But there's little on his legendary speech and how he came to write it.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was once asked if the hardest part of preaching was knowing where to begin. No, he said. The hardest part is knowing where to end. "It's terrible to be circling up there without a place to land."
Finding this place to land was what Martin Luther King, Jr. struggled with, alongside advisors and fellow speech writers, in the Willard Hotel the night before the March on Washington, where he gave his historic "I Have a Dream" speech. But those famous words were never intended to be heard on that day, not even written down for that day, not even once.
Barry Wittenstein teams up with legendary illustrator Jerry Pinkney to tell the story of how, against all odds, Martin found his place to land.
Minty
When she grew up, she became Harriet Tubman, the courageous and heroic woman who helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad. But she was just a little girl for a while—and this is her story. Minty, short for Araminta, was a feisty and headstrong young slave, whose rebellious spirit often got her into trouble. She told stories to her doll, released animals from traps, and, above all, dreamed of running away. And when her father began to teach her the skills necessary for escape, she listened carefully, and learned. . . .
PROMOTING DIVERSITY
Monday: I was born in 1595 in Virginia. I was the daughter of the chief of the Powhatan people. Even though I was the daughter of the chief, I did all the same things as other girls. I learned how to start a fire and cook. I had a very peaceful childhood. My nickname meant “the naughty one”
Tuesday: When I was about 12 years old, English settlers arrived on our land and established the Jamestown colony. The settlers did not get along with the Powhatan people.
Wednesday: One day some of my father’s warriors captured the leader of Jamestown - Captain John Smith. My father was going to have him killed but I convinced him not to do that and to let him go. From that day forward, relations between the settlers and our tribe improved.
Thursday: In 1613 I was taken hostage by the settlers and held for ransom. My father paid the ransom but I decided to stay with the English because I fell in love with a tobacco farmer named John Rolfe.
Friday: I went back to England and married John Rolfe. I planned on sailing back to Virginia in March 1617 but I got very sick and died. Disney made a movie about me in 1995. In the movie, they make it seem like I was in love with John Smith but that was never true.
The answer this week was Pocahontas.
Celebrating Pocahontas
Bite-Size Brain PD
This week the topic is Gratitude and the Brain. It is easier for us to be thankful during the Thanksgiving and holiday season but practicing daily gratitude has been scientifically proven to impact your brain in a positive and meaningful way.
When we express gratitude so many things happen in our brain. First and foremost, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters associated with our emotions. When we are grateful we tend to be happier and less depressed. Gratitude reframes our experiences and makes it harder to focus on the negativity that we may be experiencing.
A study at UCLA even stated that an attitude of gratitude can change the neural structures within the brain. I found an example of a gratitude journal and have taken a picture of it below as an easy way for you to begin thinking of ways to express gratitude yourself. Times are tough for all of us right now, adults and students, and by focusing on gratitude we can begin to turn the corner. I know this weekend I have some letter writing to do myself.
NO Community Nest next Week. Enjoy Thanksgiving Break with your Family and Friends!

OUR GRAY HAWK PTO ROCKS!
For the latest information from OUR GRAY HAWK PTO check them out on Facebook @grayhawkpto458
Think of this as a digital suggestion box. Drop your thoughts, ideas, praise, comments, questions, or concerns here.