Southwest Elementary School

The Southwest Sun - Thanksgiving Edition! 

District-wide Food Drive Continues Through December 1 

The district-wide Gleaners Food Drive continues through Friday, December 1. All food items donated support Gleaner’s work to fight food insecurity in our community. If you are able, please consider supporting this important cause.

Now Hiring Kids Kare Staff

The Howell Public Schools Early Childhood Education Department is hiring additional staff for its before and after-school care programs for elementary students. The starting pay for these positions is $15.50 per hour. To learn more about these job openings, please visit https://bit.ly/3R0HbNZ. 

Counselor's Corner: 

It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy.”  (unknown) 

This month brings to mind the idea of being grateful. Gratitude is not an instinct, it is something we are taught and must practice. The ability to show gratitude and be grateful not only allows us to feel at peace with our lives, but also helps us to build strong relationships with others.

Here are simple ways that we can help children appreciate the people and things in their lives:

• MODEL GRATITUDE - Find time during the day when you can talk about the people and things for which you are grateful. At school, we often talk about sunshines and clouds (sunshines are things that inspire us to feel good, clouds are things that might be icky or uncomfortable). This reinforces the idea that we can be grateful, despite everything not going our way.

• DEVELOP PERSPECTIVE - When you have your child write a “wishlist” for a birthday or holiday, also have him/her write a “thankful for” list (spending time with family, baking, decorating, etc.). This is a healthy perspective to develop at an early age.

• SAY THANK YOU - Make writing thank you notes or drawing pictures a normal ritual after receiving a gift or sharing a special event together.

• VOLUNTEER - Volunteering, even a few hours a month, helps us connect with the world around us and affirms our part in something bigger than ourselves. It can easily help children to feel grateful for their own situation. Check out this link for volunteering needs in our area: Volunteer Livingston.

With gratitude,

Gigi Jackson - School Counselor

I am incredibly proud of the overwhelming support our community has shown for the Gleaners Canned Food Drive. Witnessing the collective effort and generosity of individuals coming together to make a positive impact is truly heartening. The outpouring of donations reflects not only the compassion within our community but also a shared commitment to addressing the needs of those less fortunate. Each canned good contributed is a symbol of unity and kindness, reminding us that, as a community, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of others. The success of this drive is a testament to the strength and compassion embedded in our community, and I am grateful to be part of a group that rallies so enthusiastically for a meaningful cause. Remember that the drive will continue through early December.  

To our families, staff, and students, I hope you enjoy the break.  Going into this holiday season, I continue to be profoundly grateful for everything that surrounds me.  Our community, our students, and staff are a wonderful reflection of Highlander Nation!  

I'd like to take this opportunity to highlight staff that at times, probably doesn't get the recognition they deserve.  To our general aide staff, that does so much to help students find success throughout their day, we appreciate you.  Carie, Wendy, Sue, Emily, Rachel and Kristin, thank you for all you do!  

Yours in Education,

Jennifer Goodwin

Principal

 

• 11.22 - 11.24: No School, Thanksgiving break!
• 12.11: Holiday Gift Shop week!
• 12.25 - 1.5.24: No School, Christmas Break
• 1.8.24: 1st Day after break