Counselor Appreciation Week...

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This week represents National School Counseling Week 2020 (#NSCW2020).  The week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. While there is no doubt that all adults (whether in an educational setting or not) act as a counselor to youth in some capacity, the specific work of a school counselor is at a different level. Believe it or not, many school related people (including some here in Rome) still refer to school counselors as "guidance counselors". Unfortunately, this term used to address the work of school counselors was removed from school systems in the 1970's, but sadly many communities have yet to realize the work of a school counselor as being more than guidance, even 50 years later. Many of us as adults can think of at least one moment when our counselor has done something (big or small) to shape our lives. School counselors work tireless hours to ensure student growth, help staff that may be in crisis, and connect with families that may need some additional support. The role of the school counselor has become much larger than the days of the guidance counselor and we are fortunate in Rome to have some of the best school counselors available to our students and families. I thank all of our hard working counselors for the work that they do each and every day with our children, families, and staff. To learn more about National School Counseling Week, visit www.schoolcounselor.org/nscw and please take a moment to thank your local school counselor(s). You can also follow #NSCW2020 on social media. 


Sweetheart Dance


On Friday, February 7, the Rome Recreation Department will be hosting their 9th Annual Sweetheart Dance at Life Church. Open to all children grades preK-six, the event will have a DJ, dancing, pizza, and more. The cost is $20 per couple and the event will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, please see their flier HERE, or contact the Recreation Department.

American Heart Association Run/Walk

On Saturday, February 8th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the American Heart Association will be hosting their 18th annual walk/run event at Rome Free Academy. The indoor walk also includes an outdoor run! Besides the walk/run, they will be holding a Heath Expo and several “Sydney’s Circle” events taking place in the gym. The American Heart Association has been very active in the Mohawk Valley and in Rome, providing support for many many people over the years. Let's get behind this fantastic cause and show our support. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. For more information or to register your team for the walk/run, please visit www.uticaheartrunwalk.org.  


Go Red For Women


 On the first Friday of every February, which is designated as American Heart Month, the nation comes together, igniting a wave of red from coast to coast. From landmarks to news anchors and neighborhoods to online communities; this annual groundswell unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke. Friday, February 7th marks the kick off event of this National movement; Go Red For Women! Please join me in supporting this great cause by wearing RED on Friday, February 7th!!

Suitcase Art Show


Thank you to the Rome City School District Art Department for once again putting on the annual traveling art show throughout the Rome community. On February 6th, the show opens at the Fort Stanwix Willett Center. Over the next two months, the show can be seen in different locations. The art show will remain at the Willett Center through March 4, then can be seen at Community Bank from March 10-24. Congratulations to all of the students whose art work is displayed and don't miss this opportunity to see the amazing talents of our young artists in Rome!


Global School Play Day
Global School Play Day (GSPD) is for public schools, private schools, and homeschool families! Even adults and businesses are starting to join in the movement. Many are helping to spread the word about the benefits of play. Why has this movement been so well-received? Because kids have started forgetting how to play and so many parents and educators are seeing the negative impacts. In 2015, a small group of six educators took action and created Global School Play Day because of their concern that adults and technology were encroaching on playtime for children. Schools are eliminating recess. Teachers are assigning more and more homework. Parents scheduled every waking minute for their kids. Young children becoming addicted to their devices. Skyrocketing anxiety and stress. Severe mental health issues and the highest suicide rates in younger and younger children in recorded history. The GSPD team were compelled to take action after seeing the effects in their schools and after hearing Dr. Peter Gray’s TEDx talk. Last year, on Feb.6, 2019, the Fifth-Annual Global School Play Day continued to spread around the world. Over 535,000 young people from 72 nations were registered by their administrators or teachers to participate. Schools from around the world stood together to say, “Unstructured play is a vital part of proper child development!” For more information, you can visit the following to learn more about GSPD: Official Twitter Account - @GSPlayDay Hashtag: #GSPD2020 or Global School Play Day Official Website - www.gobalschoolplayday.com. Take some time on February 5th to play!!


Global Read Aloud Day


 LitWorld, a nonprofit addressing global literacy and human rights, has announced the date for the next World Read Aloud Day. The day, annually celebrated on the first Wednesday of February, will be held on Feb. 5, 2020. LitWorld founded the campaign in 2010 to advocate for access to literacy and diverse stories, as well as the power of reading aloud — an activity that has an immensely powerful impact on children’s development. LitWorld’s annual World Read Aloud Day has become a movement engaging hundreds of millions of people around the world in standing up for literacy as a foundational human right. Considered a national holiday in multiple countries. Please join families from around the world and take a moment this Wednesday to read aloud with your children.  

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