‘Our New Normal’: How Teens are Redefining School Life

Regaining a sense of normalcy has been virtually impossible since 2020, from COVID to school safety issues to critical education debates.

‘Our New Normal’: How Teens are Redefining School Life, produced by PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, will showcase teen voices and young students in conversation with experts and their peers about their hopes and expectations for tackling systemic problems in schools. The free, interactive event will include discussions about the challenges facing young Americans after two transformative years, while exploring solutions for addressing the divides in American education.

JOIN LIVE on TUE. Jan. 25 at 7pm ET - REGISTER: bit.ly/SRLnewnormal

Please share the link with teens, students, and educators in your community and network. Together, we can elevate youth voices and prepare future leaders to engage in one of the most important areas affecting America in the wake of the pandemic: education.

Sincerely
Cari Kozicki
Vice President, Pennsylvania PBS

PA middle school educator Joe Welch, and AMLE’s 2019 Educator of the Year, is a National Teacher Of the Year finalist. Congratulations and Best Wishes, Joe!"

Do you know a student who’s used social media to make a positive impact? If so, nominate them for Digital4Good by going to @#ICANHELPofficial or by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/xgzvjYMVo8XofoVx8

PAMLE Members: NELMS has an excellent conference. If you can only attend a virtual conference, please consider this one! The 41st Annual Middle Level Conference & Exhibits is March 18 & 19, 2022. 

CLICK HERE for the Annual Conference page

Visit the Eastern University website for information on programs offered by The College of Education.

And watch Your Teaching Career: Taking the Next Step on Eastern's YouTube Channel!

Check out the latest news from #ICANHELP

Since our founding in 1909, Milton Hershey School has helped children break the cycle of poverty. We are a place where students can be their greatest selves, meeting their potential with life-changing opportunity.

MHS thrives as a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for more than 2,100 boys and girls from families of lower income across the U.S. Students receive an excellent education, nurturing home life, college and career readiness support, and comprehensive health and wellness care, including medical and dental services, food, and clothing.

As you know, valuing ALL of your students’ cultures helps kids and teens connect to their classrooms and school. Celebrations are a big deal in our social-emotional lives!

Here are five holidays celebrated by many U.S. families that fall in or around winter break (information from Wikipedia):

Diwali: Autumn; in 2021, November 2-6

• A five-day festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists that symbolizes the victories of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
• Highlights include food, gifts, sweets, flowers, and candles/sparklers.

Hanukkah: Winter; in 2021, November 28-December 6

• An eight-day festival of lights celebrated by Jewish families that commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and the miracle of one night’s wick burning for eight nights.
• Highlights include food, songs, lighting the menorah, games, and gifts.

Winter Solstice (example: Shaloko ceremony of the Zuni): December 21 or 22

• Religious ceremonies or community celebrations marking the shortest day of the year are practiced by many indigenous tribes to celebrate deities, honor good fortune, and share stories.
• Highlights include dances, storytelling, and sharing traditions with young people.

Christmas: December 25

• A religious celebration of the birth of Jesus for Christian families, and a secular celebration of Santa Claus and gifting for billions of people around the world.
• Highlights include food, songs, masses, Christmas trees, and gifts.

Kwanzaa: December 26-January 1

• A celebration of African-American culture echoing African harvest traditions and celebrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
• Highlights include decorations of art, fabric and fruits; celebrations and symbols; readings; candle lightings, and a feast of faith.

Which holidays do your students celebrate? Let us know on Twitter (follow us and tag @MGForumSTW in your tweet!).

American College of Education is giving away ten Amazon gift cards worth $100 each! *Plus, each organization with one or more participants will be entered into a drawing for a $500 DonorsChoose gift card.*

Enter to win from December 1 to December 10. We will notify the winners on December 15th. Find the full raffle rules here.

Please share this along to staff so they can enter the contest as well. As always, thank you for supporting ACE!

Our PAMLE Webinar Series continued on November 10 with a session entitled, "Supporting Student Goals in the Midst of the SEL Debt Crisis" You may view a recording of the webinar on our PAMLE YouTube Channel.