Thanksgiving Break is just a couple weeks away, and before we know it, Winter Break will be here! Our Pre-IB/IB kids have been working so hard this semester, and I know they are looking forward to having an entire week off later this month!

This is a busy time of year for our kids (is there ever a time of year that's not crazy?!), so I think it's a good time to remind ourselves and our students, "People who fail focus on what they have to go through; people who succeed focus on what it will feel like in the end." (Tony Robbins) When your kids get stressed out or are exhausted, remind them to focus on the big picture. This won't be easy, but it will be SO worth it in the end!

Thank you so much for the supporting your kids on this journey and for the support you give the DRHS IB community! I am so grateful every year to get to do what I do (I seriously love my job!), and I'm so thankful to get to work with amazing families, fantastic kids, and incredible teachers, admin, and counselors! Have a wonderful November and a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving Break!

Our IB juniors are officially pinned and formally recognized as IB diploma candidates! Students and their parents enjoyed a wonderful morning last week as we celebrated this fantastic group and the start of their IB journey.

Today is Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos. Many people don't know a lot about Day of the Dead, so since it's today, here is a quick read from Google about this holiday.

This holiday, celebrated from November 1st through November 2nd is a time for families to honor loved ones who have passed. On this day each year, it’s said that the border between the spirit world and living world dissolves, allowing the souls of the dead to reunite with their families.

Día de los Muertos has indigenous roots dating back more than 3,000 years ago to pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations like the Aztec, Mayan, and Nahua. It was believed that after death, a person had to complete nine challenges to reach the final resting place of Chicunamictlán. Families would place altares (offerings) of food, water, tools, and other symbolic items to aid their loved ones’ journeys in the afterlife.

To celebrate, many Mexicans paint their faces with calaveras (skulls). Women wear colorful dresses or blouses and handmade flower crowns, while men dress in suits and hats. Families bring ofrendas such as pictures and personal items of the departed to altars adorned with marigolds. These bright orange flowers line the pathway back to the living and attract souls with their scent and vibrance. Feasts of tamales, pan de muerto, calaveras de azúcar, and other Mexican delicacies are also served throughout the country.

Día de los Muertos is a colorful and lively occasion for remembering and celebrating those who have passed on from this world. It’s an intimate dedication to the deceased, and an invaluable time for families to reunite with their loved ones. https://www.google.com/doodles/day-of-the-dead-2023

November

• 9 - EE Rough Draft due (IB seniors)

December

• 12 - EE Silver Tray Ceremony - 8:45am (IB seniors and their families)
• 13 - IB Finals Study Night - for all Pre-IB/IB students - DRHS Library 6:00-8:00pm

January

• 11 - IB Pathways and Alumni Night - 6:00pm - DRHS Library (for current Pre-IB 10th graders and their families)
• 26 - Exam fees due (juniors and seniors only)

Do you have a current 8th, 9th, or 10th grade student who might be interested in learning more about the incredible world of IB? Join us for one of our upcoming IB Information Nights! See the flyer below for more information and plan to join us for one of the presentations! Questions? Contact Holly Davis: Holly.davis@jeffco.k12.co.us.

We are headed to Venice, Rome, and Florence for Spring Break 2025! Want to learn more about this fantastic travel opportunity for your son/daughter?? Join us for the informational meeting on Thursday, November 9 @ 6:30pm in the DRHS library. Here is a link to more information about the trip! RSVPs are not necessary - just show up! Questions - contact Holly Davis: holly.davis@jeffco.k12.co.us.

Tim Elmore, founder and CEO of Growing Leaders, recently released a three-part series titled, "Six Crippling Realities We Must Address in Today's Kids." This issue of IB Connected will feature Part One of the series that focuses on common concerns from today's parents. Parents are concerned with their children:

• Needing extra attention to complete assignments;
• Getting easily upset or paralyzed by normal hardships;
• Hesitating to take on new projects or opportunities;
• Struggling to adapt to new situations.

This three-part series does a great job of looking at these and other issues teens are facing today and providing strategies to help parents and kids work through them. Click here to read Part One of the series.