November 2001
Hacienda Heights
Elementary Titahi Bay North School I'd
like to nominate my whole class for their concerns for the
people of NY and America in the recent terrorist attacks.
They all wrote a letter to our local member of parliament
expressing their sadness and concerns for the future. I am
proud that they were able to think of others and show
concern for them in this way. P.S.
279 Lancaster
Elementary LeBarron Park
Elementary Poplar Road Elementary SeaView
School Union Avenue
School Parkland Middle School Today
when my class learned that we were getting a new student
tomorrow, Dominique volunteered to give the new student a
spiral notebook (for a Reading Journal), and two folders for
science and math folders. This was so unselfish and helpful
that I thought he deserved the Random Act of Kindness of the
Month honor for November! LeBarron Park Elementary
Drina Hernandez
Teacher - KindergartenThis month's act of kindness
goes out to one special boy. His name is Jose. He is
always willing to help others and always has a smile on
his face as he is helping. He is always eager to learn
and radiates that love of learning to his peers. He helps
his peers read and write and he is always the first one
willing to help me when needed.
Kathryn Pierre
Deputy Principal
Room 6
Cindy Forkowitz
Teacher-Instructional Technology For
my November nominee, I have selected Jamaal Davis. Last
week I was returning from a meeting at another school. My
arms were full of papers and packages that were falling
all over the school lunchroom as I walked. Though several
adults saw my plight, it was a student, Jamaal, who was
the only person in a crowded room to offer assistance. He
stopped what he was doing to come to my aid. Thank you
Jamaal for seeing a need and always being willing to
help!
Patricia Fourzan-Peña
Teacher - 4th grade My
student with discipline problems has had a change in his
behavior. Previously, I had tried all possible means to
correct his behavior; I tried creating a student-teacher
contract and constant verbal praise. His behavior
improved for a while but did not last long. Recently, his
behavior has changed dramatically. I have appreciation
certificates which students can use at any time they
want. One of my low students obtained one of these
certificates and gave it to my (behavior) student. This
peer praise had a positive effect on his behavior. My low
student thanked him for his help in a spelling test. I
will try to encourage students to use them among
themselves.
Elizabeth Hannah
Teacher - grade 6 The
winners for this month in my 6th grade class were a group
of students that gave a baby shower for their fifth grade
teacher. They planned it and made all of the decorations
and refreshments themselves. On the day of the shower
they left my class at 11:00 o'clock while the teacher was
at lunch and decorated her classroom. When the teacher
came back from lunch they yelled Surprise! She was very
happy and the students felt very good about themselves.
Rosalie Pallante
Teacher - grade 2 Kareen
Eustache in Astral 3-204 performed a random act of
kindness during the week of October 8th. Each day she
packed her classmate's bookbag while her classmate was
busy doing her job of washing the board. Kareen was not
asked to do this, but freely chose to help out a friend.
Menlia Trammell
Teacher - grades K-5 Poplar
Road Elementary has been observing National Kids Care
Week October 22-26, and all classes have been deciding on
acts of kindness projects for the week, month, or year.
Projects such as adopting a family for Christmas,
participating in Operation Christmas Child, adopting a
nursing home for the year's sharing of art work,
establishing pen pals, collecting the dollars for Afghan
children, and corresponding with our military personnel
have been submitted by classes. One first grade young
man, though, on his own wrote the president and offered
his money that he asked for instead of birthday presents.
He presently has $68 to send. He is Jake A.
Harriet Stolzenberg
Teacher - computer lab I'm
happy to say I have two nominees this month to honor.
When class 4-A309 was leaving the lab Ashley noticed many
of her classmates left their belongings behind. She
stayed to collect their things and proceeded to shut down
the machines for those who forgot. When Nicholas saw what
Ashley was doing he took the initiative to follow her
lead. Thanks to their kind deed the classmates of Ashley
and Nicholas have their belongings and I had a lab ready
for the next class. A double good deed from a dynamic
duo!
Gail Henderson
Teacher - grade 4/5 class
Calvin is our Random act of Kindness honoree for this
month. He invited the grade 4/5 girls to join the boys in
playing touch football at recess and lunch. The girls
have enjoyed the opportunity to play and everyone is
having a good time.
Scott Stolzenberg
Teacher - music Joey
is a fifth grader at the Steele School. He is a
pint-sized genius who is friends with everybody! Joey is
also an outstanding student, musician, and soccer player!
During lunch, Joey gives up his recess and serves as
lunch monitor for the primary grades. He is always
willing to unwrap a peanut butter sandwich, open
chocolate milk, or escort a rugrat to the bathroom! With
terrific leadership qualities and a superb personality,
Joey is sure to go far!
Sandra LeVan
Teacher - Grade 2 Our
November honorees are Brianna, Michael, and Sydney.
Brianna helped her brother clean his room! She cleaned
his desk, made his bed, and cleaned his closet. Michael
helped his family with the laundry. He folded the clean
clothes, put them in the basket and carried them to the
right rooms. Sydney helped out by vacuuming the house for
her family. With the help of her dad, she even moved a
table and cleaned underneath. Our honorees all did
wonderful things to help others. We can't wait for
December!
Ellen Steiner
Teacher - ESL K-5 Our
honoree for November is a sweet, kindergartner from
Brazil. He is always lending a helping hand in the
classroom. There is never a mess when RVK is around
because he loves to help me! If it weren't for RVK, I
wouldn't be able to find all of my papers! He deserves
plenty of happy notes, and he never forgets to say, "You
have a nice day!"
Cheryl Salles
Teacher - grade 8 Cynthia
Q. is an inspiration to other students at Parkland Middle
School in El Paso, Texas. She helps teachers and her
fellow students through her acts of kindness. She
recently risked being late for class when asked by the
school security guard to take a backpack, left on the
basketball court at lunch, to the lost and found. Cynthia
did this cheerfully, just to help out a fellow student.
Thank you, Cynthia!
Terry Smith
Teacher - Grade 4
Angie Tiscareno
Teacher - kindergarten On
the day when President Bush asked everyone to say the
Pledge of Allegiance together this month, our school did
the pledge and then proceeded to play the Star Spangled
Banner and God Bless the USA. One of my little
kindergarten girls got very emotional about this and
started to cry quietly. One little boy in my class,
without saying a word, went up to her and put his arms
around her to console her. It was a very moving moment as
this little boy is not usually this kind and
understanding. Only later did the little girl let us know
that she has relatives serving in the armed forces and
that she had felt like crying.