(You should sing the following lyrics to the tune of "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music.)
Students with backpacks and smiles on their faces
Crayons in boxes, are all in their places
O' I have missed them, so ring school bell ring
These are a few of my favorite things
Bright magic markers and well sharpened pencils
School glue and school lunch and drawing with stencils
Children are blessings and make my heart sing
These are a few of my favorite things
When the flu hits
When my nose runs
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad.
Okay, I know some of you are now thinking, dog gone it, that song will be stuck in my head all day, and others of you will have to "Google" the song, because you've never heard it before. But either way, you get the point, it seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the beginning of summer, and here we are getting ready to send our children back to school! We hope you and your family have had a wonderful summer filled with happiness, good health, and opportunities to "Find A Way to Serve."
I'm not sure who gets more excited about the beginning of a new school year: the teachers who are enthusiastically awaiting the return of students, or the parents who are eagerly waiting to return them! I can tell you that personally, the first day of school was always one of my favorite days of the year.
As the Curriculum Developer for Wreaths Across America, I am delighted to let you know that new resources are being added to the Teach section of the website often. If you have not checked out this section of the website recently, you are in for a big surprise! Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, or a teacher, we encourage you to share the WAA Teach materials with the young people in your life.
This month, in remembrance of Hershel "Woody" Williams, Medal of Honor Recipient, we would like to highlight the wonderful education materials made available by one of our Teach Initiative Partners, The Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The CMOHS provides free materials which teach courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism. "These six values are embodied in the Medal of Honor and exemplified in the actions for which it has been awarded." There are activities and resources available for all grade levels, and their learning materials are available on the Wreaths Across America Teach Page!!
And finally, for those of you who are interested in helping to get a Student Led Sponsorship Group for Wreaths Across America in your area or local schools, please contact Iris Levandoski at ilevandoski@wreathsacrossamerica.org or by phone at 207-470-0962, ext. 630, and she share some materials to help you get started!
Cindy Tatum is the Past President of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. and a retired teacher. She recently joined Wreaths Across America as our new Curriculum Developer to support the expanded TEACH program. Read the expanded TEACH program announcement here or download materials at wreathsacrossamerica.org/teach.
