Be proud!

Pride is the feeling of happiness that you get when you or someone you know does something good, difficult, etc. You can have pride in your country, school work, friends or yourself!

Assembly Read Aloud: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy and has buckteeth and a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. But armed with the encouraging words of her grandmother, Molly Lou confidently confronts the class bully at her new school. A not-to-be missed story for the less-than-perfect part of everyone!

Books:

• Crafty Chloe by Kelly DiPucchio and Heather Ross
• Only One You by Linda Kranz
• The Land of Many Colors by Rita Pocock
• The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio
• I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
• A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
• Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
• Little Bear’s Little Boat by Eve Bunting
• Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
• Me I Am! by Jack Prelutsky
• Zero by Kathryn Otoshi
• Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy and Kimberly Shaw-Peterson
• I’m Proud to be Natural Me! by Marlene Dillon
• I’m Terrific by Marjorie Weinman Shar

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy and Kimberly Shaw-Peterson

How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy’s defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Spoon has always been a happy little utensil who loves his family. But lately he’s been feeling down. He thinks his friends Knife, Fork, and Chopsticks have it so much better than him. He can’t cut like Knife, he’s not as useful as Fork, and no one thinks he’s cool and exotic like Chopsticks.

The Goo Goo Dolls and Elmo Sing Pride

Below are five more facts about groundhogs and their special day!

1. A groundhog’s life span is usually six to eight years. Litters are normally born mid-April or May, and by July the young animals are able to go out in the wilderness by themselves. However, while in captivity, groundhogs have been known to live for up to 22 years. They can grow up to 3 feet in length and can weigh as much as 30 pounds.
2. Groundhogs are vegetarians. While they do sometimes eat insects, they mostly consume greens, fruits and vegetables. They also drink surprisingly little water. They get most of their liquid from the dewy leaves they eat.
3. Groundhogs are also known as “whistle pigs” because of their ability to sit up on their hind legs and make a loud, high-pitched whistle sound. They use this noise an alert about oncoming dangers, like coyotes or eagles. They also use this sound during the spring when they begin mating.
4. The tradition of Groundhog Day was brought over by German immigrants in the late 1800s. The town of Punxsutawney,Pennsylvania eventually became the center of the tradition. At the time, the “unburrowing” ceremony was planned by members of Groundhog Lodges, meant for socializing with others and enjoying meals.
5. The original custom never involved groundhogs. The Europeans originally used badgers or sometimes bears as their weather forecasters, as both animals hibernate and wake up when the days become longer and the sun’s angle becomes higher.

For even more facts about Groundhog Day…

Read: Groundhog Day by Gail Gibbons

Every February 2, people all across the country wonder about the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. Will he see his shadow on that day or won’t he? Will spring come early or late? Here is information about Groundhog Day, its origins, and the animal at the center of this delightful annual event.

You can find more books about groundhogs @ 394.26

Overview: Persistence is the continuous effort to do or achieve something even when faced with obstacles.

Assembly Read Aloud: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

The girl has a wonderful idea! She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!? But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right.

Activities:
Jigsaw puzzles and games are a great way to build persistence. Have fun!:

A Visitor For Bear by Bonny Becker	Leo the Lightening Bug by Eric Drachman	Try and Stick With It by Cheri J. Meiners
Flight School by Lita Judge	Long Shot: Never to Small to Dream Big by Paul Chris	Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Be Positive! A Book about Optimism by Cheri Meiners	Wanda’s Roses by Pat Brisson	Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin	When Pigs Fly by Valerie Coulman
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Kraus	Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen by Cari Best	The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper	I Think, I Am by Louise Hay

Good News Bad News by Jeff Mack

Today I Will Fly by Mo Willems

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by James Dean

Activities:

Have a discussion on how to respond optimistically in each of the following scenarios:

• You lose a game of checkers.
• You get your new sneakers dirty.
• It’s a rainy day and you can’t go on the playground.

Additional Resources:

December is the perfect month for families to consider helping others in need. For the fourteenth year, William O. Schaefer’s families are given the opportunity to share food with the home bound and elderly residents of South Orangetown by making Covered Cupboards for the Meals on Wheels Program.

Covered Cupboards are simply made by filling shoe boxes with nutritious foods. Do not wrap paper around the lid and box or glue 3-D decorations to lids. Please just loosely tape the lid to the box. Drawings on the lids or covers is welcomed! These Covered Cupboards are delivered to seniors for use when inclement weather prohibits delivery of a hot meal.

Please drop off your Covered Cupboards at William O. Schaefer (WOS), 140 Lester Drive, Tappan, New York. The Executive Director of Meals on Wheels, Jim Burton, will pick up the Covered Cupboards at WOS on Wednesday, December 23rd.

Thank you in advance for giving so generously to the seniors in our community during this winter season.

Please refer to Covered Cupboard Food List to find out all the details, including the suggested food list. Questions can be forwarded to mchaudoir@socsd.org.