Here’s a unique run-down of events and causes to celebrate and support this month.
Comment on this post to win a $20 School Box Gift Card. (One lucky commenter WILL win!)
by Sandra Jacoby
No, this is no April Fool’s prank– many things are happening in April! How do you fit them all into your day plus follow your school and state’s set curriculum? Here are some ideas for several oft-overlooked events in April, plus ideas on how to easily incorporate them into your day.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
This is over looked by most, and I myself didn’t know about it until my freshman year of college in 2004. The entire month of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the color to show your support is blue.
If you follow the website below, you will find all kinds of great links to pass on to all teachers, parents and anyone working with children and their families. Be sure to check out the Activities Calendar.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/
To show our support, our school is wearing blue on Wednesdays!
Earth Day
Earth Day (April 22) is just around the corner, but you have nothing planned! EEK! What to do?! Never fear, Kaboose has lots of ideas that are cheap and easy to gather!
http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/
There is also a history of Earth Day written just for kids that can be found at the above site.
National Volunteer Month
Yup, that’s right! I am sure you have thanked your classroom volunteers (high school helpers, parents, friends, etc.) profusely by now, but we do something at our school that includes all volunteers at the same time. We hold a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch during the week to show that we are thankful. People are assigned something to bring to keep cost down for everyone, and invitations are sent through the mail.
For a tight budget, ask your PTO/PTA if they would be willing to help support the idea even though most of them will more than likely be invited. You can also send home the invites to parents in backpacks (to save on postage) and personally hand deliver invitations to your own volunteers.
Another great idea is a card… or–even better–a banner! Have the entire school make and sign a banner to hang where all can see who enter the building. This is one of the best “thank you” gifts you can give!
More Grand Ideas
For a whole list of things you probably don’t know occur in April, check out: http://familycrafts.about.com/library/spdays/blaprdayslong.htm
And remember, April showers bring May flowers…so here are some more ways to celebrate this month: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/spring/april_showers.htm.
Sandra Jacoby is a teacher in Texas who enjoys the challenges and rewards of teaching her pre-kindergarten class.
To submit your own ideas for publication, simply e-mail an original educational article (250-500 words) to editor@schoolbox.com. You’ll receive a $35 School Box Gift Card when you are selected for publication! (Not to mention that “Contributor for A Learning Experience, an online education newsletter” is a sweet little line item for your résumé.)
A Learning Experience 