Glen Grove Community Project

In the line of work that I do and with the populations that I work with, "thank you" is often not said.

It's not to say that the sentiment of gratitude isn't there - there's plenty that goes around! However, in my work as a speech-language pathologist teaching several nonverbal students, those words are not often spoken - but they're felt.

The world is wonderfully complicated, and so is communication. Words are important, that is for sure, and I appreciate every kind note and shared compliment said by those around me. Hearing appreciation is important because it can give confirmation that your work and efforts are seen and valued - that you are important to the other person.

However, not everyone shows appreciation that way. If you work with children with special needs and diverse communicators, you learn all the different ways that they can convey those feelings without verbally saying a word. I feel appreciation when I get a wave of hello and goodbye from my students. I feel it in the embrace of joy and sorrow, when my students have emotions too big to carry and need support to hold on. When I work with a student and they're having a difficult day, I feel gratitude when I offer my hand in comfort and they hold onto it - wordless thanks for just being there and being present. I feel it in smiles, laughter, sparkling eyes, the sharing of books, and in the little ways my students reach out to show they want me there.

I'm thankful for the numerous little ways they show me their thanks without even speaking. On the good days, the bad days, and all the days in-between - I find joy in those moments as they remind me what being grateful is really about - finding connection and valuing the shared experience of all.

Here's a symbol that can be found in LAMP Words for Life, a program many of my students use and many students around the district. You can also learn how to do the sign for "thank you" in the image below.

Here are some local organizations focused on helping those in need in our community (some of whom have personally partnered with the Glen Grove Community Project over the years). Please consider supporting their causes this holiday season! Click each image to learn more about each organization.

• Scholastic's list of 10 Community Giving Ideas
• Ways to give through UNICEF

We asked students and staff what food they enjoy with their families. From sushi to pasta to chicken and rice - food tastes better with the ones you love!

During the holiday season, it's important to remember to share what you have with others, especially those facing food insecurity. Please consider volunteering or donating to local food pantries and other local organizations. If you need ideas, see the list of organizations in the earlier section of the newsletter!

While we can all show gratitude every day, Thanksgiving is a holiday that emphasizes it. As families gather, it is important to remember all the family and friends who helped make this year special. The video below shows an easy craft you can do at your family table! The GGCP has its own Thanksgiving Tree at the front of the school!

How do you show gratitude to others?

The GGCP acknowledges the land upon which Glen Grove School stands on and in being part of this community, we want to share resources to further our students' and families' knowledge of the land and respect communities of past and present. This year, a donation was made to the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center

• Katherine Ellison, Glen Grove Principal
• Aurora Joaquin, Glen Grove Speech-Language Pathologist
• Hedy Helfand, Glen Grove English Language Learning Teacher
• Lisa Funke, Glen Grove Learning Resource Center Director
• Nicole Bright, Glen Grove 4th Grade ClassroomTeacher
• Marie Chang-Pisano, Glen Grove Reading Intervention Associate
• Jill Burns, Glen Grove Science Coach
• Sylvia Gorski Duarte, District Title III Family Resource Teacher
• Lindsey Lurie, District Multilingual Instructional Coach

Email: GGCommunityProject@gmail.com

Instagram: @ggcommunityproject