Newsletter 1

Counselor’s Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 2 October, 2020

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 Message

2 Family Self Care

3 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

4 National Custodial Workers Day

Message From the School Counselor I hope you and your family are well and staying healthy during this time of the coronavirus pandemic. All Saints Academy administration is looking out for the best interests of our community. Please remember that I am here to support you and your family the best I can. The words you choose matter a lot in parenting. As a parent, you want your kids to be the best they can be, to feel good about themselves, to live fulfilling lives and, ultimately, be happy children that become happy adults. And since your children look to you for words of encouragement and to be a role model, giving them positive affirmations and inspirational quotes to draw from when they're in uncertain situations can be incredibly empowering. Please do not hesitate to contact me if your child needs support. As a School Counselor, I care about your child’s well being and know this pandemic hitting our country is affecting everyone’s daily routines, mental health and outlook on our future. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER! I am available Monday – Thursday at ASA. If you would like to talk with me, if you would like for me to talk with your student or if I can provide you with any resources, please feel free to contact me at ASA 614-231-3391 or email cgardner@cdeducation.org. I will be happy to help in any way I can. ~Mrs. Gardner, MEd School Counselor

Newsletter 2

NATIONAL CUSTODIAL WORKER’S RECOGNITION DAY

On October 2nd, National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day encourages appreciation to the employees who keep our schools and workplaces across the nation running smoothly. Custodial workers operate behind the scenes. They are often under-appreciated for the hard work they do day after day, too. These are the personnel keeping schools, hospitals, office buildings, museums, churches, and other buildings clean and well maintained. While delivering outstanding services and running a well-maintained building, they contribute to critical first impressions and the success of any business. They’re the people we call on to give our brick and mortar businesses a polished look. The bank, schools, and office buildings look organized and presentable because custodial workers efficiently keep everything in top condition. Additionally, their skill saves businesses and organizations money. Well-maintained carpets and surfaces last longer. Seasonal updates and maintenance help buildings to run more efficiently, too. Custodial workers make sure buildings are ready for each season and running correctly. As a result, the buildings are safer and healthier for those entering them. They also free up time for the rest of the organization to focus on growing a business, teaching students, or caring for others. The work is physically demanding. Depending on the position, custodial workers may work varying shifts and possibly in several locations. They may be part of a team or work independently. No matter where they work, this day recognizes their dedication and hard work. We can all do out part to help them do their jobs too. We can be clean ourselves by keeping workstations neat. After a break, pick up after ourselves. We can even do some light dusting around our desks, office or cubicle. There is no reason to leave a mess for anyone else when we can simply do our part to help.

Thank you to our ASA Custodial Staff!

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12 Signs It’s Time to Talk With Your Child’s Teacher

ByTheUnderstoodTeam You can ask to meet or talk with the teacher at any time. If your child is struggling, let the teacher know. Signs include not wanting to go to school or suddenly behaving differently. It can be hard to know when to reach out to teachers. If your child is struggling with something, you may wonder if the challenges are “serious enough” to bring up. Should you take up the teacher’s time now or wait until parent/teacher conferences? And how often is too often to contact the teacher? Teachers can be great sources of information and advice. They can shed light on what’s happening in the classroom and give you a sense of your child’s strengths and weaknesses. If you have any questions or concerns about your child, you can ask to meet or talk at any time. Here are 12 signs that it’s time to reach out. 1. You see your child struggling with reading, math, writing, and other areas of learning. 2. Your child seems to have trouble with focus or self-control. 3. You see your child having trouble doing things other kids seem to do easily. 4. Your child is suddenly behaving differently. 5. Your child’s grades or test scores are slipping. 6. Your child doesn’t seem motivated or confident. 7. Your child doesn’t want to go to school (in person or virtually). 8. Your child often gets angry or frustrated. 9. Your child often feels sick before school or complains of stomachaches and headaches. 10.Your child isn’t catching up, even with extra support at school. 11. Your child has a hard time finishing homework. 12. You think other kids are bullying your child or that your child is bullying other kids. The more you and the teacher work together, the better it is for everyone—especially your child.

Key Takeaways ~Talk to the teacher if you suspect bullying. ~The teacher can offer insights about what’s happening at school. ~The more you work with your child’s teacher the better it will be for your child.

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Newsletter 3

If you or someone you care about

is ever NOT feeling okay, remember…

help is available:

What to Say When Your Child Says “I Can’t Do It”

By Amanda Morin All kids have things they do well and things that are hard for them. And most kids have moments when they say, “I can’t do it!” or “That’s too hard!” What can you say when your child makes these kinds of comments? Here are three ideas. 1. “I know this is hard for you.” Don’t shy away from tough conversations. Your first instinct may be to jump in with something like “That’s not true. I know you can do it!” But when kids tell you they can’t do something, they’re opening up. Tell them you hear them. It shows you’re listening and willing to let them lead the conversation. You may know about your child’s struggles. But your child can tell you how it feels, and how it affects daily life. 2. “Have I ever told you about…” Tying things into stories about friends and family can help break the ice. It lets you talk in a good-natured way about how everybody struggles with something. Maybe you’re famous for getting lost, but you never talked about it in terms of your trouble reading maps. Or maybe Grandpa’s socks never match, but your child didn’t know it’s because Grandpa is color-blind. Adding context to those stories is a good way to start conversations about why people find some things hard to do. 3. “You can’t do this yet.” Adding the word “yet” lets you talk about what can happen. It gives you a way to introduce the idea of a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can improve over time. It also tells kids you don’t expect less of them because they’re struggling with something. But you need to back up those expectations with support. For example, show your child how to break down big projects into a more manageable plan. Or try growth mindset activities to help your child learn from mistakes and go from “I can’t” to “I can. More Ways to Help Your Child Keep in mind that kids don’t always see the big picture. They might not notice what they’re doing well. Kids who learn and think differently can get discouraged easily, too. That’s because they might struggle with things more often than other kids their age. On top of “I can’t do it,” they might say things like “I’m dumb. ”When kids are hard on themselves, it’s natural to focus on what needs improving. But don’t forget to recognize your child’s strengths, too.

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

~Frederick Douglass

Newsletter 4

What Is Hispanic Heritage Month—and Who Celebrates It?

By Jonathan Borge Jul 21, 2020

While you never have to wait for an annual event to take pride in your ethnic background, National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for Americans with roots in the countries involved (or in Puerto Rico's case, the territory involved), to honor their respective cultures and the history behind them. In 2020, it kicks off on Tuesday, September 15, and ends on October 15.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a period meant for recognition, education, and celebration, similar to Black History Month in February, or LGBTQ Pride in June. And you can expect to see Latino celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, Bad Bunny, Shakira, Maluma, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Eva Longoria, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor pay tribute to those who came before them. But how do we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and why is it recognized in the first place? Here are some essential facts to know.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean?

The celebration was created to recognize the positive impact that Hispanic Americans have left on the country. "Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America," according to the official government website. It takes place from September 15 - October 15 every year.

Who started Hispanic Heritage Month?

President Lyndon B. Johnson first introduced National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. Congress expanded it from a week to a month long beginning in 1989, after it was amended into public law in 1988 during Ronald Reagan's presidency. In Presidential Proclamation 3869, available via the Library of Congress, President Johnson wrote, “Wishing to pay special tribute to the Hispanic tradition, and having in mind the fact that our five Central American neighbors celebrate their Independence Day on the fifteenth of September and the Republic of Mexico on the sixteenth, the Congress by House Joint Resolution 1299, has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the week including September 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week.” In addition, the following government institutions honor Hispanic Heritage Month: The Library of Congress, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Park Service.

Why is it first celebrated on September 15?

That’s the date when five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—earned their independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico, Chile, and Belize became independent on the 16th, 18th, and 21st from Spain and the United Kingdom, respectively.

Newsletter 5

What countries are involved?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the month honors “the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.”

How do people celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

The official government website typically keeps a calendar of highlighted activities hosted throughout the United States, from concerts to book and art festivals and parades. A majority of the festivities held throughout the United States are family-friendly and occur at the local level—and many are free. In October 2019, for instance, the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., hosted a screening and Q&A for the documentary Exiled, America’s Deported Veterans. Official tourism sites for cities such as Miami and Miami Beach have also offer neatly-curated lists for how to celebrate.

In 2020, however, most of those events will likely be virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic. If you're staying close to home, you might consider getting festive with a menu full of Latin American dishes. You can also make it a point to support Latina-owned businesses. And there's never been a better time to relax with a good book by a Spanish-language author that takes you into someone else's experience.