Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics to inspire respect and acceptance through raising the consciousness of society about the R-word and how hurtful words and disrespect can be toward people with disabilities.

The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools, organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support & to promote inclusion and acceptance!

When one student has an attitude of acceptance & inclusion toward people (especially fellow students) that is a wonderful thing. When that one student becomes many….when an entire school has a climate of acceptance and inclusion…it becomes a powerful community! Ultimately, when a school climate conveys and fosters understanding, inclusion and respect for all, the students internalize those lessons for their lives both within and beyond school.

Our goal is to educate the Kennedy students, staff and community that we should love everyone for who they are and accept all differences. Please be sure to check out the email Amanda sent last week regarding Kennedy’s approach this year to teach our Kubbies about diversity, acceptance & perseverance. In your mailboxes you should have received a lesson/activity that accompanies the book It’s Okay to Be Different. All classroom teachers received a class copy of the text to keep in your classroom libraries. On Tuesday, we will learn that it’s okay to be different by signing a pledge, promising to be dedicated to celebrating each other and being kind to one another. Here is the letter that went home with all students last Friday.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, March 2nd
Happy Birthday Bonnie Bricker 🙂 

Tuesday, March 3rd
Birthday Breakfast starting at 7:15am in Teacher’s Lounge
Happy Birthday Natalie Barcas 🙂
Spread the Word to End the Word Day ~WEAR BLACK
Please read It’s Okay to Be Different & complete lesson (in your mailboxes)
Project Unify Basketball Game @ 3:45pm (LMS)

Wednesday, March 4th
Common Plan Agenda <–click to view/sign up
SMART Training Common Plan
*KONICA MINOLTA Training during Common Plan —
All certified staff: Click the link for the agenda above & please sign up as a team for a slot to attend a training on the new copy machines.

Thursday, March 5th
2nd Grade (Rooms 104, 115) Field Trip to PF Chang’s
Happy Birthday Debi Cesario 🙂
Talent Show Rehearsal (2:30pm-4:00pm)
PARCC Meeting with 3rd Grade @ 2:30pm
SLT Meeting @ 3:15pm

Friday, March 6th
Summative Evaluation Meetings for Non-Tenured Staff
5 by Friday!