November 2 - November 13, 2020

DEAR FAMILIES,

November is a great month to pause and reflect on all the blessings we have in life. People that practice gratitude on a consistent basis lead happier and fuller lives. Here are 10 simple ways to practice gratitude: 1. Write down 3 things that you are grateful for everyday 2. Say thank you to your family, friends, or colleagues for the little things that they do for you on a daily basis that you may take for granted 3. Appreciate the beauty of nature 4. Call a grandparent or elderly neighbor to check in on them 5. Smile more often 6. Find ways to volunteer at your local community 7. Try to always look on the bright side of things 8. Live mindfully, not worrying about the past or the future 9. Make gratitude a part of family life, share it with each other during mealtimes 10. Send love to everyone, no matter who they are Sincerely yours, IGDVS Team

---

COVID-19 EDUCATION

So far, we've been talking about ways to stay safe, the dangers of COVID-19, and the history behind it. However, it's important to look on the bright side of things, and many people have stepped up to bring happiness to other people in these lonely times. In a way, COVID-19 has helped communities work together and is bringing out the good side of people. Read on to find some acts of kindness during the COVID-19 outbreak that will restore your faith in humanity!

This Group of Teens Created a Website to Deliver Groceries to Seniors Daniel Goldberg is a junior student-athlete at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, California. He, and a couple of friends, wanted to help the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic and created Zoomers to Boomers, which is a website where seniors in the Santa Barbara area can sign up to have their groceries delivered to them the next day by a high school student. This inspiring story encouraged many people to check up on their elderly neighbors and help them when they needed it. Check out their website for more information! https://www.zoomerstoboomers.com/ This Mystery Mom Leaves Free Lunches Out Every Day 'For Anyone Who Needs It' A mystery mom in Severna Park, Maryland, leaves out bagged lunches every day with a sign that says, "For anyone who needs it: I will be leaving some healthy sack lunches on this table for you if you are hungry and need to eat. Made with love by a neighborhood mom in a clean and sanitized kitchen. I will leave this table up from 11AM - 1:30PM." These random acts of kindness are what make someone's day brighter, and we are sure that this mom's actions will not go unnoticed! While Closed, Disneyland is Donating Its Excess Food What about these big corporations and companies? What are they doing to help others during this pandemic? Well, as Kyleigh Johnson, the external communications manager at Disneyland Resort revealed in a blog post, this company will donate all of its excess food from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County! This action prompted Walt Disney World to do the same, as stated here in an article from Delish. https://www.delish.com/food-news/a31673804/disney-donating-food-coronavirus-shut-down/ This 16 Year Old Has Been Flying Medical Supplies to Hospitals in Need TJ Kim is a 16-year-old student in Bethesda, Maryland. He's not old enough to drive a car, but he is using his pilot lessons to deliver medical supplies to small rural hospitals in need. He and his father, Thomas, fly throughout Virginia to deliver essential supplies such as gloves, hand sanitizer, and protective eyewear. As TJ Kim says in an interview with the Associated Press, "Every hospital is hurting for supplies, but it's the rural hospitals that really feel forgotten." For more information, read this article about this inspiring teen! https://www.intheknow.com/2020/04/08/teen-who-isnt-old-enough-to-drive-a-car-alone-flies-medical-supplies-to-rural-hospitals/#:~:text=TJ%20Kim%20is%20a%2016-year-old%20lacrosse%20player%20and,rural%20hospitals%20in%20need%20during%20the%20coronavirus%20pandemic.

After reading these amazing stories, we hope that everyone can find it in themselves to help other people during COVID-19. No matter how small an act of kindness is, it will make a difference to that person!

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: IRIS NG

Iris Ng is a senior at DVGS. Question: What has been your most memorable experience here? Iris: I remember during autumn when the leaves started to fall, me and my friends would stand underneath the large oak trees as we waited for the wind to blow the leaves down. Standing alert, we try to catch a leaf before it touches the ground. Question: What is your favorite part of IGDVS? Iris: My favorite part of IGDVS is the sister project where an older sister pairs up with a younger sister and we encourage each other throughout the whole school year. Question: If you could change one thing about this school, what would it be? Iris: If I could change one thing, it would be the pandemic so that everyone can relieve ourselves from the chains of remote learning. Question: What is your favorite subject? Iris: Environmental Science is my all-time favorite subject where all my classes come together and are portrayed in the perspective of the environment. Question: Do you have any advice for students? Iris: Always be free to turn toward your school sister, they are always willing to help and listen! Don't ever feel that you are alone!

VIRTUE OF THE MONTH: CITIZENSHIP

As citizens of the United States, we have responsibilities and obligations for our country and our community. However, citizenship is not limited to just voting and participating in politics- even just showing respect or helping people is citizenship. Citizenship is based on doing what you can according to your circumstances, and that's enough! There are many ways that you can be a good citizen of your community, such as:

1. Volunteer to pick up trash, plant trees, and do other things to help your environment

2. Donate money to different organizations such as your local animal shelter

3. Help out people at a homeless shelter

4. Donate gently used clothes or toys to people who need them

5. Follow the laws of your country and community and set a good example for everyone else

6. Avoid smoking, drinking, and taking drugs, and spread awareness about the dangers of these actions

7. Conserve supplies like water, food, and other resources

8. Give everyone your input by voting

9. Respect people of all races and religions

10. Obey the people who have been given authority over you, such as the police, the mayor, etc.

11. Respect public and private property

12. Follow the three Rs: reduce, recycle, and reuse!

13. Stand up to bullies and do what you know is the right thing to do

14. Always be virtuous, kind, respectful, and honest!
    

In difficult times like this pandemic, it's important to keep up a positive attitude and show citizenship, so that other people can follow your example and keep the community running as it should be. Additionally, during the time of this presidential election, it's significant that you contribute your opinion so that the president can be elected fairly and honestly. After all, as Franklin Delano Roosevelt said once, "Presidents are selected, not elected." We hope that everyone can contribute their input! Remember that no matter how old you are, you can contribute to your community and be a good citizen. How many of these tasks above can you do for this month?

FIRE RISK REDUCTION

We are right in the middle of the fire season, as can be seen from the numerous fires spreading throughout California in the last few weeks. However, Ukiah has come up with an ingenious way to combat the fire risk! Last week, a herd of 200 goats came to clean up Ukiah. They are eating their way from Brush Street all the way to the airport along the railroad tracks. This herd of goats is protected by six Pyrenees dogs. In doing this, the city of Ukiah hopes to remove as much vegetation as possible to reduce the fire risk. The goat wrangler expects to be done in about 10 days, and hopes to return next year with 400 goats! Here is a photo from the Ukiah Daily Journal: https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2020/10/19/photos-goat-herd-arrives-to-clean-up-ukiah/ For those of you who lack goats, don't worry. There are many other ways to reduce fire risk and keep everyone safe. Here are some tips to reduce fire risk at home:

1. Never leave cooking unattended and don't put anything flammable near the stove

2. Keep clothing, curtains, etc. at least one meter away from heaters

3. Replace faulty appliances immediately

4. Change smoke alarm batteries every year

5. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children

6. Have an escape plan for the whole family to follow in case there is a fire

We hope everyone can stay safe and follow these tips!

MEDITATION TIPS

UPCOMING DATES

November 6: K-6: Cooking with Mrs. AshleyNovember 11: Veteran's Day November 13: K-6: Thanksgiving Craft & Games hosted by 10th Graders November 14: Virtual Honoring Elders Day November 20: Thanksgiving Event November 25-27: Thanksgiving Break