Willow Parent Bulletin #15

December 18, 2020

Dear Families,

In 1963 when the song It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year was recorded by Andy Williams, I'm pretty sure he never thought it would illicit more eye rolls than good cheer in 2020. I'm hearing other holiday songs on the radio and innately start to sing along (yes- very off key), but there's a part of me that doesn't really "feel" it like I normally do.

The halls are too quiet, the only sing-a-long has been in my head, and there aren't 100's of little Who and Grinch costumes roaming the building. So much of what has always been my holiday just isn't this year. I won't celebrate with my dad for the first time since I was born (back when we really did walk a mile both ways to school in the snow.) That hurts my heart, but pales to compare with so many who have faced loss this year.

I think what gets many of us through ugly sweater season is the kindness of others. During a time when the slightest thing can bring someone to tears, focusing on all those little moments, and then paying them forward, has been a blessing. Maybe it's holding a door, shoveling snow if it ever comes, helping carry groceries, or paying the bill for the person behind you in the drive thru. When you work in the land of little people, kindness looks like a home made card or a drawing of the teacher... with or without all of the limbs...it's all good, we love it all the same.

So my hope for all of you this season is one of kindness... for your little wildcat, for your neighbors, and for yourself. I hope in this season of giving and receiving that you experience both and that it becomes the foundation for a new tradition in some way.

Be safe and blessed, Wildcats. Here's to a Happy New Year!

Warmly,

Melissa

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Book Blurb- "Best Friends in the Universe"

Best Friends in the Universe written by Stephanie Wilson is a super fun tale written from the perspective of the two main characters, Hector and Louie. Stylized illustrations highlight their friendship and what happens when the best friend line is crossed. Homewood Public library has both formats, printed and ebook version, available for checkout.

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The Nutcracker and music class

In music class over the past few weeks all of the students have been exploring The Nutcracker! From listening to the story of The Nutcracker, to learning about Duke Ellington and dancing to his jazz version of The Nutcracker Suite, we have learned so much about this yearly tradition! I am happy to send to you all a link to a fantastic, new recording of The Nutcracker. The University of North Carolina School for the Arts has accomplished a very difficult task by continuing the tradition of The Nutcracker in this crazy year. Although their version looks very different this year, with performers with masks that match their costumes and a shortened runtime of 30 minutes (typically around 2 hours), they were able to create a beautiful and captivating performance that I am so happy to share with you all. You can use this link to go to the college's page for the Nutcracker and watch it! They have also posted The Nutcracker on YouTube and Facebook, and the best part is that it is all free! I hope you all have a wonderful break and a very Happy Holiday! - Mr. Coronado

https://www.uncsa.edu/performances/nutcracker/index.aspx

https://youtu.be/pPC7MigFOlk

https://fb.watch/2ssZ_7VbvQ/

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Weekly Announcements

This weeks December birthdays and the Pledge of allegiance come to you from Ms. Lawson, Ms. Wood, Wyle D. Cat, and his friend, the dinosaur.https://youtu.be/RrGgsqkxX78

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3 Ways to Help Homewood PTA

1. Shop at Five Below in Homewood, Dec. 14-19

Homewood PTA will get 10% when you present this flyer at the time of your purchase.

2.Homewood Parent-Teacher Association's No-Bake Bake Sale

Submit a favorite family recipe for PMA's future "Greatest Hits Cookbook" and support music education in District 153 by donating the money you would have spent on ingredients.

3.Register Your Student for District 153's Winter Break Read-a-Thon

Homewood PTA and Bookie's have planned fun incentives and prizes to keep our students reading during the winter break. More information here.

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Holiday Blues in the Time of Covid

If you missed the presentation by Marie Goulet, you can see it here:

https://www.hsd153.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1885737&type=d&pREC_ID=2035073

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Social Emotional Learning- Engaging in Conversation Skills

The ability to participate in conversations with others helps children build relationships, exposes them to new and diverse ideas, and promotes oral language skills. Engaging in conversation requires a number of complex skills, including careful listening, attending to nonverbal cues, speaking, taking turns, and perspective-taking (often with multiple others). Children require ongoing practice in all of these skills to be able to listen thoughtfully, contribute appropriately, and make sense of their exchanges with others.