Generosity: WEEK 2
Happy Sunday Buccaneers!
We are celebrating Inclusive Schools and Computer Science Education Week. Inclusive Schools Week is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network (ISN). This celebration acknowledges the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to a diverse student population, including students who are, "marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors." We, at Southwest Middle, continue to discuss what areas need improvement or need to be done in order to ensure that we successfully educate all students.
We are also celebrating computer science education week. Southwest Middle continues to forge the path for all of our students to access STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) through our quarterly challenges. We also provide students the opportunity to take computer science courses through computer science essentials A and B. These courses engage students with programing and coding with the hope that they continue into the Computer Science Principles classes at the High School. This year, Southwest High School added several AP Computer Science courses and many ninth graders are taking advantage of this pathway. Many will continue into the engineering pathway offered at SOH.
This year the theme for Computer Science Education Week is Computer Science for Social Justice. "The concept of social justice refers to human rights, centered around improving the lives of groups historically marginalized based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion and disability." Organizations, companies, educational agencies, and our higher level educational platforms understand that if we do no provide our students access to rigorous computer science and STEM courses, underrepresented students have limited opportunities and aspirations to develop computing knowledge. My husband majored in computer science and is currently teaching computer science principles and Java at the high school level. Students who get the change to program and show interest in these fields may get the opportunity to get into several universities. There are many scholarships for students interested in these majors.
As a mother of a student who is studying both engineering and computer science, I have seen first hand the need for minority students to enroll in these programs; there are not enough minority or female students in these fields. I am proud that our school promotes STEAM and computer science. Please join us as we celebrate and conduct our second STEAM challenge on December 18th!
Finally, I want to acknowledge that for some of our students of different faiths or for those who are non-religious, these weeks can feel uncomfortable. "Acknowledging the season without excluding our students is a yearly challenge for our school and our teachers, as well as for the families of the students" (Steven M. Freeman, ADL). We are an all-inclusive school and we are doing everything we can to celebrate and recognize as many views as possible. If there is a tradition or a celebration that you would like for us to recognize, please let us know. We also understand that many might not want to participate in our season competitions. Please know that we are here for every student.
May these last weeks of this Fall semester be amazing!!! Give your best Buccaneers!!!! You can do this!!!
Ms. Julissa Gracias
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GIVING TUESDAY- DECEMBER 1STEvery year, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, people take the time to kickoff the holiday season by giving back to their community. Whether it be donating money to a charitable cause or volunteering, Giving Tuesday is a day set to benefit the community. How can we help? How can we show our generosity? Send a thank you letter? Write a poem to a friend in need? Give someone an uplifting message? | National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance – December 7, 2020The day Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor is commemorated with the National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance each year on December 7. On that day in 1941, more than 2,400 people died in Japan’s attack on the Hawaiian base of America’s Pacific Fleet. Hundreds of aircraft were destroyed or damaged, as were most of the ships in the harbor, and thousands of service men and women were killed or injured. It was an unprecedented surprise attack that precipitated the United States entry into WW II as we sided with the Allies and declared war on Japan. https://nationaltoday.com/national-pearl-harbor-day-remembrance/ | Human Rights Day – December 10, 2020Human Rights Day on December 10 remembers the day the General Assembly of the UN adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It is the most translated document around the world and is available in over 500 languages. It has inspired countries and people alike to start treating every person with the right to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. On Human Rights Day we acknowledge the importance of this document and the importance of human rights. https://nationaltoday.com/human-rights-day/ |
GIVING TUESDAY- DECEMBER 1ST
Every year, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, people take the time to kickoff the holiday season by giving back to their community. Whether it be donating money to a charitable cause or volunteering, Giving Tuesday is a day set to benefit the community. How can we help? How can we show our generosity? Send a thank you letter? Write a poem to a friend in need? Give someone an uplifting message?
National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance – December 7, 2020
The day Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor is commemorated with the National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance each year on December 7. On that day in 1941, more than 2,400 people died in Japan’s attack on the Hawaiian base of America’s Pacific Fleet. Hundreds of aircraft were destroyed or damaged, as were most of the ships in the harbor, and thousands of service men and women were killed or injured. It was an unprecedented surprise attack that precipitated the United States entry into WW II as we sided with the Allies and declared war on Japan.
https://nationaltoday.com/national-pearl-harbor-day-remembrance/
Human Rights Day – December 10, 2020
Human Rights Day on December 10 remembers the day the General Assembly of the UN adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It is the most translated document around the world and is available in over 500 languages. It has inspired countries and people alike to start treating every person with the right to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. On Human Rights Day we acknowledge the importance of this document and the importance of human rights. https://nationaltoday.com/human-rights-day/
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Hanukkah – December 10, 2020The Jewish Festival of Rededication, also called the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration that falls each year on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, which generally falls in December in the Gregorian calendar. (In 2020, Hanukah is December 10 through December 18.) Hanukkah, also referred to as Chanukah, celebrates the rededication of the second Jewish temple in Jerusalem. | Christmas – December 25, 2020Every year on Dec. 25, we celebrate Christmas, a day for spending time with family, observing an important Christian holiday, partaking in lighthearted traditions, or just spreading some holiday cheer! Christmas has evolved over several millennia into a worldwide celebration that’s both religious and secular and chock full of fun-filled, family activities. | Kwanzaa – December 26, 2020Heri Za Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, is an African American and pan-African seven day cultural holiday that celebrates family and community. During the holiday, families celebrate with feasts, music, and dance, and end the holiday with a day dedicated to reflection and recommitment to the seven principles. |
Hanukkah – December 10, 2020
The Jewish Festival of Rededication, also called the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration that falls each year on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, which generally falls in December in the Gregorian calendar. (In 2020, Hanukah is December 10 through December 18.) Hanukkah, also referred to as Chanukah, celebrates the rededication of the second Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
Christmas – December 25, 2020
Every year on Dec. 25, we celebrate Christmas, a day for spending time with family, observing an important Christian holiday, partaking in lighthearted traditions, or just spreading some holiday cheer! Christmas has evolved over several millennia into a worldwide celebration that’s both religious and secular and chock full of fun-filled, family activities.
Kwanzaa – December 26, 2020
Heri Za Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, is an African American and pan-African seven day cultural holiday that celebrates family and community. During the holiday, families celebrate with feasts, music, and dance, and end the holiday with a day dedicated to reflection and recommitment to the seven principles.
Upcoming Events
December 15th - 17th: Finals
December 18th: 2nd STEAM Challenge
December 14th - 18th: Spirit Week
December 18th- Last day of the semester
December 21st - January 12th- Winter Break
January 13th- Second Semester Starts
Monday, December 7th
- Word of the Month: Generosity
- Inclusive Schools and Computer Science Education Week
- Spirit Day: Generosity Day
- National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
- Periods: Advisory-1-3-5
- Science Tutoring (3:30 pm - 4:30 PM)
- HYPE Virtual After School Program (2:30 pm - 5:30 pm) https://bit.ly/southwestmiddlehype
- Finalize our FAC meeting @ 2:35 PM
Tuesday, December 8th
- Word of the Month: Generosity
- Inclusive Schools and Computer Science Education Week
- Friendship Day
- Periods: Advisory- 2-4-6
- SOM Staff will NOT be available to help outside the library, we apologize for the inconvenience
- Food Distribution from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Climate and Culture Committee Meeting @ 3:00 pm
- Math Tutoring (3:30 pm - 4:30 PM)
- HYPE Virtual After School Program (2:30 pm - 5:30 pm) https://bit.ly/southwestmiddlehype
- ART Club Meeting @ 2:30 pm
Wednesday, December 9th
- Word of the month: Generosity
- Inclusive Schools and Computer Science Education Week
- Winter Celebration Day
- Periods: Advisory-1-3-5
- Second Part of our Faculty Meeting @ 2:40 pm
- English Tutoring (3:30 pm - 4:30 PM)
- HYPE Virtual After School Program (2:30 pm - 5:30pm) https://bit.ly/southwestmiddlehype
Thursday, December 10th
- Word of the Month: Generosity
- Inclusive Schools and Computer Science Education Week
- Human Rights Day and Hanukkah
- Periods: Advisory-2-4-6
- Social Science Tutoring (3:30 pm - 4:30 PM)
- HYPE Virtual After School Program (2:30 pm - 5:00 pm) https://bit.ly/southwestmiddlehype
- Safe Zone Meeting @ 2:30 pm
Friday, December 11th
- Word of the Month: Generosity
- Inclusive Schools and Computer Science Education Week
- We are SOM Day
- Periods: 1-2-3-4-5-6
- Teachers meet in PLCs from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
- HYPE Virtual After School Program (2:30 pm - 5:30 pm) https://bit.ly/southwestmiddlehype
