Welcome to a new year at Medina Elementary School. I am very pleased to be working with your children again this year. This year has started off with a bang. We have worked on character traits of responsibility, respect, citizenship, gratitude and generosity. We have also focused on making “WIN”ning decisions, how to deal with bullies and why people bully, using good manners, dangers of drugs and alcohol, personal safety and feelings. As you can see we have been very busy. The week of October 4-10th was National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week. Students spent this week learning about bullying and what they can do to prevent it. Due to the flu outbreak at Medina Middle our guest speaker was cancelled. I am pleased to announce that we have rescheduled our speaker Mr. Jay Banks, national bullying prevention speaker. He will present his STAMP Out Bullying program at Medina Elementary on December 17th at 8:30. All parents are welcome to attend. We will continue his program throughout the remainder of the school year. I have worked with Mr. Banks previously and our children are in for an entertaining and informative program. During the week of October 26-30th we celebrated Red Ribbon Week. This is a week set aside each year for teachers, parents and community agencies to focus on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Our students participated in daily activities. This year I sponsored a poster contest for all grades. Students constructed posters with their best anti-drug theme. The winners were First Place-Elizabeth McDaniel (Mrs. Sheehan 1st grade) “Follow your Dreams. Don’t do Drugs”; Second Place –Kyndle Ross (Mrs. Roland 2nd grade) “Follow your Dream. Don’t Do Drugs”; Third Place – Lauren Drake (Mrs. Taylor 2nd Grade) “Don’t Do Drugs. Follow the Right Path”. Congratulations to each of the winners. I am also working with area groups to provide Christmas assistance this year. We have been able to assist ten families this year with food and gifts. I have resources for assistance with food if you are in need during these tough times. Please feel free to contact me and I will gladly send home information. Those families that are receiving assistance, you may pick up your packages on Friday, December 18th from 8:30 to 11:00. Please check in at the front office. Finally, during the Thanksgiving week I attended the 52nd annual Tennessee Counselor Association Conference in Chattanooga, TN. As part of the conference, the Tennessee School Counselor Association held its annual awards luncheon. During the luncheon, I was awarded Elementary School Counselor of the Year. This is a peer nominated award and selections are based on the school counseling program and involvement in professional organizations. I am very excited to have received this award. I welcome your calls and questions any time. The counseling program at Medina Elementary is here to serve the parents as well as the children. I hope everyone has a great holiday break and I look forward to seeing each of you in 2010.