ROOM 13 BOOs-letteR

Friday, October 27th, 2023

Special spooky edition #3
Week 10
Good morning! Happy Friday!
In light of all the stuff happening in our nation and around the world.
With all the bad and tragic things that are happening and have
happened in recent weeks and months, take time to give your children
hugs and let them know how much you love them.
We send our thoughts and sympathies to all those who are in a difficult
place and those who are grieving. Here is a resource to help:

MR. ROGERS TALKS ABOUT TRAGEDY

We are also honoring Filipinx Heritage Month in October.

HERITAGE AND INCLUSION MONTHLY CELEBRATIONS

Filipinx Heritage Month

Filipinx Americans rank as the second-largest Asian American group in the U.S.
and the third-largest ethnic group in California. The San Mateo Foster City School
District celebrates their diversity and contributions. Filipino American History
Month in October marks the arrival of Indigenous Filipinos in 1587, a milestone in
U.S. history.

St. Malo, established in 1763, stands as the earliest Asian American settlement,
named after leader Juan San Maló. These pioneers, including Filipino sailors and
indentured servants, revolutionized Louisiana's shrimping industry.

Larry Itliong, a pivotal figure, collaborated with Philip Vera Cruz, Dolores Huerta,
and Cesár Chavez in the 1960s Delano Grape Strike. He's revered in Stockton's
historic Little Manila community. Before this, he championed cannery workers in
Alaska post-WWII. In 2009, the U.S. Congress declared October as Filipino
American History Month. In 2021, Governor Newsom proclaimed October 25th as
Larry Itliong Day, honoring his advocacy for farm workers' rights in the Central
Valley. For more, visit the Filipinx American National Historical Society.

Down Syndrome Acceptance Month

Since its inception in the 1980s, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in
October has evolved. It now emphasizes not only awareness but also acceptance
of individuals with Down Syndrome. In the San Mateo Foster City School District,
we go a step further, designating October as "Down Syndrome ACCEPTANCE
Month." This signifies a shift towards active learning and genuine care, fostering
inclusion, understanding, respect, and expanding opportunities for those with
Down syndrome.
Across the nation, classrooms increasingly integrate students with Down
Syndrome, showcasing a broader commitment to inclusivity.

Let's commemorate the achievements and capabilities of individuals with Down

syndrome, shedding light on their accomplishments in areas like entertainment,
athletics, fashion, and more. Explore inspiring examples here. Together, we can
continue to support and empower these remarkable individuals to reach their full
potential.
This month, each student will receive from me a copy of one of my favorite
children’s books of all times. It came out the year I was in Kindergarten and I
loved hearing it all throughout the month of October and I would read it to my
son every day in October until he became too old for me to read to him and that
book is: The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda
Williams.

It is a riveting tail of suspense for children, with a surprise ending that will knock
your socks off.

Look for it to arrive in their backpacks very soon!

We have been working on scissor skills and cut and paste skills as well as listening,
following directions, and play skills every single day. The students are getting
better at learning to utilize their words and/or communication devices to ask for
things and communicate what they want and/or need! We will be having
mainstreaming opportunities starting next week, and we are excited about getting
our students to collaborate, play, and eat with their General Education peers. It
will be exciting to see what happens!
OCTOBER 2023

10/27 World Occupational Therapy Day

10/27-11/4 2023 World Series

(Texas Rangers vs. AZ Diamondbacks)

10/28 Colorful Connections @ Sunnybrae Elementary School

10/31 Halloween –

Have Fun and Be Safe – TRICK OR TREAT

NOVEMBER 2023

 Aviation History Month

 Child Safety Protection Month

 International Drum Month

 Lung Cancer Awareness Month

 Movember

 National Adoption Awareness Month

 National Alzheimer’s Disease Month

 National Caregivers Appreciation Month

 National Diabetes Awareness Month

 National Epilepsy Month

 National Model Railroad Month

 National Novel Writing Month

 Native American Heritage Month

 Peanut Butter Lovers Month

 National Sleep Comfort Month

 National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

 National Veteran and Military Families Month

 Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

 World Vegan Month

 11/1 Picture Retake Day

11/3–9 National Animal Shelter and Rescue

Appreciation Week

11/6 Mr. Jarvi Out – SUBSTIUTE HERE

11/9-17 National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week

11/10 NO SCHOOL – Veterans’ Day Observance

 Always be grateful for what those who served and

sacrificed their lives in order for us to be free.

11/11-15 American Education Week

11/11-17 National Geography Awareness Week

11/12 Diwali 2023

11/13 World Kindness Day

11/14 Ruby Bridges Walk To School Day

11/17-23 International Fraud Awareness Week

11/20-11/24 THANKSGIVING BREAK

11/21 Mr. Jarvi’s Birthday

 11/22 Ms. Dani’s Birthday

11/24 Ms. Viviana’s Birthday (Occupational Therapy)

11/24-30 National Family Week