Too Much Holiday Excitement? The evidence is consistent, positive, and convincing: families have a major influence on their children’s achievement. When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.” Anne T. Henderson, Karen L. Mapp December 2016 Too Much Holiday Excitement? Help Your Children Relax: The Office of School & Family Partnerships Wishes You & Your Family A Happy & Safe Holiday Season. Don't over-schedule your family. Create cards, decorations, cookies and gifts. Stay physically active and play outdoors. Maintain bedtime and other routines. Practice compassion and generosity at home and for others. Encourage appreciation and gratitude for kindness from others. Give loads of hugs and words of love .    December Celebrations of Faith, Family & Community   Did you know that four great religious and cultural traditions will be celebrated throughout the United States this month? While each is unique, all four focus on family and community gatherings, where special foods, music, decorations, prayers and readings are shared. Each tradition emphasizes love of family and community, and charity to those less fortunate. Learn more about these rich traditions with your children by visiting your public library, researching on-line, or by visiting others’ holiday celebrations. A Peek at Each December 11 (sundown) – December 12 (sundown): Maulid al-Nabi, when many Muslims gather to honor the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, born in 570, by recalling his teachings of empathy, forgiveness and charity. December 24 (sundown) – January 1 (sundown): Hanukkah, the Jewish eight-day “Festival of Lights” that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. December 25th:  Christmas, the Christian celebration of Jesus’s birth with gift exchanges and prayers for World Peace and unity. December 26 – January 1: Kwanzaa is the week-long African-American celebration of family, community, and gratitude for the earth’s bounty.      Happy Students Feel Safe & Secure Bullying and bias behavior have no place in positive school environments. Help to ensure that your and all children feel safe, secure, and valued at school. Listen to your child and support his efforts to act confidently and respectfully with peers. AACPS has programs that can help. Contact members of your school’s Student Services Team and visit AACPS Safe & Orderly Schools for more information.         Volunteer of the Month November 2016 Lenny Burton Tyler Heights Elementary School For his determination to make all students feel safe, loved, and nourished. To nominate outstanding volunteers for the AACPS Volunteer of the Month Award, email ttudor@aacps.org