As the Year Ends … A 2018 Update
By, Nicole Metzger
We can hardly believe that winter break is almost upon us and that 2019 is just around the corner! We have so much to discuss in the way of current happenings, upcoming excitement and some truly wonderful accomplishments to celebrate here at Cedar Crest Academy.
Using character education, we elevate our school experience by not exclusively focusing on the academic aspect of child development but including tools and skills that will help you send well rounded and socially dynamic children into the world and allow the students to truly have pride in themselves and their abilities as individuals.
This month we are focusing on the virtue of compassion! We have integrated this virtue into our daily conversation using tools like emotion cards in the pre-primary program or writing letters to peers they might feel need some encouragement or cheering up. 4th grade, for example, holds a discussion about sympathy and empathy being similar but different to better help identify each characteristic. Each grade uses different developmentally appropriate ways to answer the questions “What is compassion?’, “How do I identify it?” and “How do I practice compassion in an active way?”
Next month, when we return, the focus will be on the virtue of respect. This is incredibly fitting as there will be our Martin Luther King March and other activities that contribute to the conversation of respecting differences and diversity. That is an ongoing conversation that we are always happy to have here at Cedar Crest Academy.
There will be much diversity celebrated during Family Heritage Night (December 14th from 5 pm – 6:30 pm) and we are so excited to see various cultures all have their time to shine. We will have representative families at booths from China, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Korea, Norway, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine all sharing their food, art and stories with us. This will be an event to remember and we thank everyone for participating and making this another successful and meaningful event.
The Northwest Harvest Food Drive raised over 12,000 items for families in need and we are forever in awe of the dedication and compassion (way to exhibit this month’s virtue!) shown by the students and the families here. Northwest Harvest is a non-profit food bank distributor serving over 375 food banks, meal programs and high-need schools and we are so proud to contribute to the 2 million meals they provide every month.
We are wrapping up our Giving Tree drive and have so many wonderful items to turn in to Eastside Baby Corner who support about 800 children each week in starting off life on the right foot with important items like clothing, food and other necessities. Thank you all for the many items contributed that will no doubt make the holiday season special for so many children and families.
We hope everybody has a fantastic holiday season and we very much look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Happy Holidays and a very Happy 2019!