November Spotlights: Celebrating Strength, Culture, and Community
Disability or Diagnosis Celebrations
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month aims to combat stigma and increase public knowledge of seizures and epilepsy, including how to administer first aid. Witnessing a seizure can be surprising for people who are not familiar with the signs, symptoms, and how to respond. Here is a short video (3-minute watch) and an informational flyer (2-minute read) from the Epilepsy Foundation, outlining how to safely and quickly support someone experiencing a seizure.
Family/Caregivers Awareness Month
Family and caregivers are vital to the success and well-being of our students with disabilities. Their role is an ever-present one that can be physically, financially, and emotionally challenging. Celebrating and supporting our students’ caregivers is vital to a strong school community and building meaningful relationships. Here is a guide to the “12 Ways to Support Parent Caregivers” (8-minute read), with strategies you can put into action today.
Staff & Team Celebrations
National School Psychology Week
Our school psychologists are invaluable team members who use their mental health, behavioral, and learning expertise to support our students. They collaborate with youth, families, staff, and administrators to facilitate academic, social, emotional, and behavioral student successes. Use this customizable Press Release template (5-minute read) from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to celebrate and share the distinct value of your school psychology team members with your school community.
Social and Cultural Celebrations
Native American Heritage Month
November is a time for recognizing and celebrating the history, contributions, and cultures of all Indigenous people of North America, including Native Americans and Alaska Natives. It is an opportunity to explore the rich diversity and ongoing impact these communities offer to our state and our nation. Here is a short story (2-minute read) of a young girl who receives two new pairs of shoes, with themes of living within two cultures and navigating personal identity. Reflection questions are included and can be scaled up or down to fit multiple grade levels.