November is the Month of Giving Thanks 

As you can probably tell I LOVE to celebrate and show appreciation for people in my life. I believe passionately it is critical to have a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving. November is the perfect month to spend time thinking of the things or people that make you smile. Thank YOU for supporting me by reading this newsletter and sending me your pictures or email about how you are implementing the ideas. I LOVE hearing from you. Thank you for what you do for the students, staff, and families you serve each and everyday. I BELIEVE in you and am cheering for you!! Feel free to reach out and find me on X/Twitter at @sholtys.  

A Few of My November Favorites

November Days to Celebrate

November 1 | Celebrates two awesome literacy days. It is not only National Authors’ Day but also National Family Literacy Day. | There are so many ways to celebrate today with not only your staff but students and families. Have you thought about doing a bedtime story via Facebook? This might be a great time to try. How about asking staff who their favorite author is and displaying it on a board? OR have staff choose a book from your library with their favorite author and put them on display for the week.

November 1 | National Stress Awareness Day | It is November, and we are all under an intense amount of stress no matter the role in education. If your district has mental health support or assistance for staff, this would be a day to remind staff of the resources available for them and their families, especially as the holidays approach, the winter weather starts, and fewer hours of sunlight are available.

November 3 | National Sandwich Day | Look for great deals on sandwiches at Subway, Costco, and Jimmy John’s, along with your community sandwich shop. Bring in a platter of sandwiches for lunch or an afternoon snack. Ask your PTO to provide decorations to beautify the staff room (flowers, music).

November 6 | National Nachos Day | Chips, Salsa, and Cheese, anyone? There are also Nacho Lunchables you can provide as a mid-morning treat for staff.

November 8 | National STEM/STEAM Day | Celebrate your STEM and STEAM Programs today. Share job opportunities, programs, and famous individuals and their contributions to our world.

November 10 | National Vanilla Cupcake Day | How easy is this one? You could also purchase frosted vanilla cupcakes and have a decoration bar available for staff/students to finish the final touches on their creations.

November 13 | National Hug a Musician Day | Provide your music teachers with a bag of Hersey Hugs to celebrate this special day and acknowledge their dedication is also “World Kindness Day.” This is a great day to encourage your students to do a random act of kindness for someone. Have them post their accomplishments using social media. Don’t forget to have participants use their school hashtag to promote school pride.

November 14 | Pickle Day | I just have to include this “unique” day as everyone (but me and the cats) in my home LOVE pickles. If you need to send a thank you card today, you could buy a small jar of pickles with a note that says, “Thank you for helping me out of a pickle.” I will actually be doing this for a few staff.

November 15 | National Clean Out Your Fridge Day | When was the last time your staff fridge was cleaned out? Use this day to encourage staff to throw out their expired treats.

November 17 | National Hiking Day | Physical Education can come alive for your families today. Have staff, students, or families take pictures today while going on a walk. Combine the pictures into a collage to share on your school’s social media account.

November 20 | Future Teachers of America Day | A day to celebrate the greatest profession of all time. Ask staff to share why they became a teacher. You could make a video of the answers and share it with your families or play Guess Who at your next staff meeting.

November 21 | This day is both National Gingerbread Cookie Day and National Stuffing Day | Swing by the store and pick up some cookies or boxes of Stove Top Stuffing. Include a note that says, “I sure am thankful for all the ‘stuff’ you do every day to take care of our students. Happy National Stuffing Day.”

November 28 | National French Toast Day | Invite staff to join you for a before-school breakfast at a diner. (Everyone pays for their own meal). Break bread to celebrate this day and start your morning with your staff.

November 30 | National Mason Jar Day | Fill mason jars with special treats to provide staff. OR one of my favorites — purchase mason jars and solar lids with an LED string of lights. (Check out Amazon for the set). Put the lights in the jar and hand them out to the staff. This can serve as a reminder of the light they are to others. Be creative and have fun with a simple and heartfelt message.

---

	Cindy Sholtys-Cromwell
	Principal, Loowit High School and Kelso Virtual Academy (K-12) Kelso School District

Cindy is in her 24rd year as a school administrator. She is currently the principal of Kelso Virtual Academy and Loowit Alternative High School within the Kelso School District in Kelso, Washington. Cindy has been recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals as the 2021 National Digital Principal of the Year. She has two teenagers and has been married to her husband, Leszek, for 23 years. Find her on Twitter @sholtys.