A big thank you to all the parents who gave so generously to our October clothing drive. Judging by the mountain of bags of clothes in Dr. Beebe’s office, it appears to be our most successful clothing drive ever! The lighter clothes will be sent to Liberia as part of a project of the Women’s Federation for World Peace. Other clothes will be donated to the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Next, we are launching our annual food drive to help needy families and individuals in time for Thanksgiving. Please help this great cause by donating any canned foods and other nonperishables anytime between now and Tuesday, Nov. 20. Food items will be brought by our 6th-8th graders to the St. Peter’s Haven food bank on Clifton Ave.
In conjunction with our monthly service project, November’s virtue of the month is Gratitude, in connection with Thanksgiving—the American holiday. It is a time to move beyond our specific faiths and various ethnic traditions. Like the early Pilgrims, it is a time to express our gratitude to God for the blessings He has given us. It is very important for children to learn to be grateful for what they have. Too often they may take for granted these things: their parents, their family, their home, their health, their education, etc.
As you know, on Monday, November 12, at 2:00 pm at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, a rally entitled “Peace Starts With Me” will be taking place. Although this is not specifically a school event, I hope you will consider attending in a show of support for healing and reconciliation in America. Our dance class has been invited to participate and has also been entered into a competition for a prize of $1,000. If you purchase tickets through New Hope School, you can receive a $10 discount as well as making a donation to the school. The deadline for this is Friday, November 2.
Please note on the November calendar that parent-teacher meetings are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday, Nov. 13 and 15, 3:00-6:00 pm. Look for the sign-up sheet in the outer hallway soon. We hope that all of our parents will use this opportunity to meet with their child(ren)’s teacher(s) to understand their performance so far this school year and how you may better support them in their education.
We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
New Hope School Staff
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” Albert Schweitzer