BETTER TOGETHER WITH TEAM GPA |
|
The Power of Family Traditions |
|
Newness is upon us as we end this first month of 2023. Can you recall a family tradition that your family had when you were younger? Was it a nightly bedtime story, a game night on Saturday, maybe it was a Friday high school football game, or was it visiting your grandparents' house on the weekend? Whatever your childhood traditions were, they undoubtedly created a sense of comfort and pride in your family. Looking back, you may feel a sense of novelty. The best part of that feeling is that there is always time to begin a new tradition or carry out old ones.
Family traditions give our students a sense of identity, strengthen family bonds & it helps build character. As family traditions are passed down from generation to generation, they create a sense of belonging, bringing families together and reinforcing essential family values and beliefs. Additionally, old or new family traditions assist in creating a positive, healthy family culture. As families support their students in this new season, embrace an old family tradition or create a new one.
-Team GPA
(Gaby, LaSheka, Rachana & Rebecca)
|
|
GPA Celebrates All Families: Chinese New Year |
|
Lunar New Year: January 22nd – February 5th
Lunar New Year, Chinese Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Solnal, and Tibetan Losar, also called Spring Festival, is a festival typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. This year it falls on January 22nd, and the celebration culminates with the Lantern Festival on February 5th, where colorful lanterns light up the houses. Traditional foods such as yuan xiao (sticky rice balls that symbolize family unity), Fagan (prosperity cake), and yu sheng (raw fish and vegetable salad) are served.
The origins of the Lunar New Year festival are thousands of years old and are steeped in legends. One legend is that of Nian, a hideous beast believed to feast on human flesh on New Year’s day. Because Nian feared the color red, loud noises, and fire, red paper decorations were pasted to doors, lanterns were burned all night, and firecrackers were lit to frighten the beast away.
According to the Chinese zodiac cycle, each Chinese year is associated with an animal sign. 2023 is the year of the Rabbit, specifically, the Water Rabbit. The sign of the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.
|
|
February is Black History Month |
|
Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, is a time when the U.S. honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Shoulders upon shoulders, we stand with extraordinary African American educators to continue to pave the way for education. Please take a moment to learn more about "12 Black educators Who Change History."
|
|
COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT |
|
FaithAction International Helps Strangers Become Neighbors |
|
FaithAction serves and advocates alongside thousands of newcomers each year while educating and connecting diverse communities across lines of culture and faith. FaithAction welcomes and appreciates all faiths and cultures, and treats all guests with dignity and respect.
FaithAction has a diverse and bilingual staff who facilitate multicultural and interfaith education and bridge-building programs.
|
|
District Receives $14.8M to Expand Mental Health Student Services |
|
A federal grant worth $14.8 million will allow GCS to expand its on-demand mental health resources for students. The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data released last month shows alarming mental health trends among students in North Carolina.
“Through our Community Conversations, we’ve spoken a great deal about the need for increased mental health services for both students and staff, and recent tragedies in our community underscore how urgent that need truly is,” says Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley. “This funding will allow us to further address the mental health needs and strengthen the resources in our schools to support students and staff.”
|
|
$2.2 Million Grant Will Support Expansion of Learning Hubs |
|
GCS will expand its nationally recognized high school learning hubs program into district middle schools, thanks to $2.2 million in grant funding secured by Rep. Kathy Manning (NC-06) for the GCS Middle School Learning Hubs Expansion Project.
GCS launched learning hubs at all 15 comprehensive high schools in the winter of 2021. The hubs create small environments where students can extend learning beyond the traditional day and receive other support. GCS has seen early success on the impact learning hubs have had on students. For example, in high school, students who attended learning hubs during the 2021-2022 school year had a six-percentage point higher graduation rate than those who did not.
|
|
Keep It Real! Tools & Tips for Families |
|
New Year's Resolutions for the Whole Family
It's that time of the year when we all make plans for a fresh start. Most plans thrive when we make plans and set goals together. Setting family resolutions works best when each member of the family feels invested. And for everyone to feel supported, shared goals need to be recognized and treated equally within the family. If everyone feels they have a stake, you have created the foundation for achieving your shared goals. Here are some resolutions that are easier kept as a family:
-
Get outside more: This could mean hiking, biking, running, or just exploring your backyard.
-
Read together: Studies have shown a steep decline in kids' interest in reading around 4th grade, which coincides with the time parents stop reading to their kids. Start a family monthly book club or act out the books you have read. Click here to read free books online.
-
Make healthy food choices: Swap the soda for water, include more vegetables for dinner, incorporate family cooking time each week, and try different nutritious recipes.
-
Stay unplugged: Sleep experts recommend shutting off electronics an hour or so before bedtime to help everyone decompress, relax, and help with their sleep.
-
Make an emergency plan: American Red Cross and the national Ready campaign both offer some beneficial tips in case of fire, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or other natural disasters so that all your family members know how to stay safe in case of danger.
|
|
Become a Surrogate Parent Virtual Training |
|
Guilford Parent Academy and the GCS Exceptional Children Department (EC) will host a virtual training on becoming a Special Education Surrogate Parent (SESP). During this session, you will learn how to become a special education surrogate parent that will represent the best interests of GCS students in the special education process.
Become a Surrogate Parent Virtual Training
Tuesday, January 31, at noon
Thursday, February 2, at 6 pm.
|
|
District Registration: Transitioning to Middle, High School |
|
Parents of rising ninth-graders, join us to learn more about the high school registration process. Help your child transition from middle to high school with help from the GCS Counseling Department.
District Registration: Transition to High School
Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 6-7:30 pm
|
|
Parents of rising sixth-graders, it's your turn! Join us to learn more about the transition from elementary school to middle school with help from the GCS Counseling Department.
District Registration: Transition to Middle School
Thursday, Feb. 9 from 6-7:30 pm
|
|
Did you miss a Guilford Parent Academy event? We have some of our most popular sessions now available on demand! |
|
|
|
Available now! "Ask Anything about the School Calendar" |
Learn more about how the school calendars are created and check out the proposed academic calendars for the next three years. |
|
YOUR VOICE AND IDEAS MATTER. |
|
We can not do this work without you. We hope that you will share your ideas and experiences with us as we chart the path forward. Click here to submit or send us an email to parentacademy@gcsnc.com with your thoughts. Your hopes, dreams and pain points matter to us. As our amazing new superintendent (and proud GCS parent!) Dr. Whitney Oakley reminds us every day: We are Better Together!
|
|
RETWEET, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & STAY CONNECTED! |
|
Guilford Parent Academy
501 W. Washington Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
336-279-4924
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
