Thanksgiving

The school year seems to be flying by faster than ever. It is hard to believe that we have completed a marking period and are finishing up conferences. As we try to keep up with the many things that occupy our busy lives, I always look at Thanksgiving as the time we are given to slow down, for even just a day or two, to reflect and to give thanks.

While many people are struggling this Thanksgiving, plagued by a down economy or the loss or threat of loss of a job, there is no better time to look past the challenges to discover that even in the toughest times, there are always blessings. While economic issues often lead to high anxiety, it also allows us to look past our "stuff" to find that there are much more important things for which we should be thankful.

Most of us have food on our tables. For those who don't, our local food pantry continues to be a bastion of light. Our own students have had the great opportunity to work with the food pantry, giving back to the community while learning that there are struggling people in our own township. As you eat dinner during the holidays, don't forget to give thanks and remember those who are going hungry.

Most of us have a warm coat to wear this winter. For those who don't, local organizations are stocking up on donated coats. Many of you contributed to our recent coat drive - parting with a coat that has been sitting in your closet so that someone may be warm this winter. As you put your coat on each cold morning, don't forget to give thanks and remember those who are cold.

Most of us have a home to live in. Throughout the United States, many people have lost everything, including their homes due to the economy. As you sit in your heated house this holiday season, don't forget to give thanks and remember those who are sleeping on the ground outside.

There are so many little things that often get overlooked because we cannot see through or beyond our stuff. As stuff becomes less available and far less important, it becomes easier to find what is really important. Those who have experienced a reduction in salary can still give thanks that they have a job. Those who see their child is not bringing home straight A's can still give thanks that they have a healthy child. Those who cannot buy the large flat screen television or laptop can still give thanks that they have their families intact. Those who have loved ones fighting overseas can still give thanks that they are alive and are willing to sacrifice for our freedom.

In 1789, George Washington gave the first Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation. Since then, nearly every United States President has done the same. Take a moment to check out this link to see how our leaders have given thanks throughout the history of our great nation.

http://www.pilgrimhall.org/ThanxProc.htm

This Thanksgiving will be a tough one for many people. I encourage you though, to focus on what is good in your life rather than what is going wrong; focus on what you do have rather than what you don't have; focus on how your life may have become better due to the economy rather than how it has become worse. It is by giving thanks that we teach our children to help others, to cherish blessings and to have hope.  If anything positive can come out of the current recession, maybe it can be that we examined our lives to determine what is truly important.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Veteran's Day

Today, November 11, is Veteran's Day. 

Originally proclaimed at Armistice Day in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour was set aside to remember those who served in World War I. 

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veteran's Day, honoring all men and women who have served in the military.

Some facts about US Veterans:

• Over 48 million Americans have served in the military during war and peace since 1776
• There are currently about 25 million living veterans
• Over 155,000 veterans are currently homeless

Please take some time to give thanks to and for the many servicemen and women who have served and currently are serving our nation.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.

Terra Cotta Warriors

As many of you know, our sixth grade social studies classes study world history.  Included in the curriculum is a study of ancient China.  Mrs. Miller, our sixth grade social studies teacher, wanted to let students, past, present and future, know about an exciting once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A selection of artifacts from one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century, China's Qin Shihuangdi's famed Terra Cotta Army, will be exhibited at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. from November 19, 2009 until March 31, 2010. The exhibit includes 20 Level 1 artifacts ( highest ranking in terms of rarity and value). This is the largest number of artifacts of this kind China has ever allowed to travel abroad.There will be 14 human based terra cotta figures, including a horse and two replica chariots ( the gold ones are forbidden to leave China).

The terra-cotta army of Qin Shihuangdi was buried to protect the emperor in his afterlife. It was discovered in 1974 and is still under excavation. Each year two million people travel to China to view the army. Woodglen School's sixth graders study Ancient China and this important treasure.

National Geographic Musuem
1145 17th Street NW ( at M Street)
Washington, D.C. 202-857-7588

You can find more information about this exhibit at the National Geographic website:  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/terracottawarriors/

Student Council Community Service

Today marks the start of the Woodglen School Student Council Coat Drive.  From now through November 20, students can drop off new and / or gently used coats in the main lobby.  Coats will be delivered to NJ Cares in Newark (http://www.njcares.org/). 

The coat drive is just one of the many community service projects that our student council will participate in this year. 

From November 30 to December 4, Woodglen students will be encouraged to "Feed the Pig" to support the NORWESCAP Food Bank (http://www.norwescap.org/).  Students can bring money and / or non-perishable food to fill the giant "piggy bank" in an effort to help fill the ever-decreasing shelves at local food pantries.  NORWESCAP is the major supplier of food for the Lebanon Township Food Pantry.

Speaking of the Lebanon Township Food Pantry, the Woodglen Student Council, under the supervision of Mrs. Suzette Dilzer, works with the Lebanon Township Food Pantry volunteers each month to help unload and stock the food that is delivered from NORWESCAP.  Our students have provided much needed "manpower" at the food pantry for the past two years.  In addition to helping the food pantry volunteers, this partnership has led to stronger relationships with students and the mostly senior citizen volunteers.

The Student Council, led by co-presidents, Jane Compton and Jane Hinkle, vice president, Cari Gadisch and treasurer, Colin Pfenninger, sponsors four major community service activities each school year (one per marking period).  The activities are chosen and implemented by the membership which is made up of students from grades five through eight.  

Please look for future community service activities sponsored by the Woodglen Student Council as these young people continue to make a difference!