November 13th is World Kindness Day, a reminder to be kind to each other, ourselves, and our world. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, create a ripple effect of positivity and community.

Here’s how you can celebrate:

• Share your pledge to acts of kindness on social media with #worldkindnessday and #makekindnessthenorm.

• Visit the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation for ideas to incorporate more kindness into your life.

• Take a moment to care for your well-being. If you or someone you know needs support, Care Solace is here to help.

Care Solace Services

Cherry Hill Public Schools provide complimentary, confidential coordination services through Care Solace to match you with the right mental health or substance use provider:

• Call: 888-515-0595 (Available 24/7/365 with multilingual support)

• Visit: https://www.caresolace.com/site/chpsd  to search or click “Book Appointment.”

Let’s take a moment to text an old friend, treat someone (or ourselves) to a cup of coffee, and be a supportive ear as we close out the year.

Happy Halloween!

Fall is such a beautiful time here in Cherry Hill! I love driving around and seeing all the trees and colorful leaves. I love a warm cup of apple cider and donuts to cap off a crisp fall day. Fall is a great time of year to be outside and enjoy the comfortable temps and sunshine.  Tonight so many families will be out Trick-or-Treating, so here are some helpful hints to keep everyone safe: 

Positive Words of Encouragement

The words we use with our students become the voice they hear inside. Using words filled with encouragement, positivity and caring allow students to see themselves in the same way we see them. They will feel strong, kind, capable and loved no matter what. 

Even small words or a tone of voice can turn a hard moment into one of perseverance. You don’t have to be perfect, just keep showing up, keep speaking love and remind them that who they are is enough. 

Your words shape their world 

Kilmer Celebrates Red Ribbon Week! 

October has been filled with awareness weeks. We have celebrated the Week of Respect, School Violence Awareness Week and now Red Ribbon Week. Kilmer students have been involved with discussions on making positive choices which is a central theme in all of these weeks. Counselor lessons this month focused on how to handle conflict and be upstanders with peers. We are excited to finish this month off with Spirit Week!

Fall NJSLA Testing

On October 28th and 29th, fourth and fifth grade students will participate in a NJSLA Field test. This test will be assessing a new format of the test, not students' knowledge. Families were sent a letter from the district with more information about this testing, check your email to make sure you received it. We want to encourage students to take their time with the test and remember that we are testing the test!

Week of Respect!!

This week Kilmer Wildcats celebrated a Week of Respect! Class discussions centered around what respect looks like and how we show it to each other, ourselves and our community. These conversations also discussed conflict resolution and using “I messages.” Ask your student how to use an “I Message.”

 “I” Messages

“ I feel____When YOu______.

I would like you to_________"

Ms. McComb is here for you! Now that I am starting to settle in, I wanted to let you all know that I am here for students, and parents! I can be a valuable resource when you have questions or concerns about academics and/or social emotional learning. I may not have all the answers- but I will find them! My office is a safe space for students to express how they are feeling and supporting them when needed. Part of my responsibilities include 504 plans, behavior support and connections between students, teachers and parents. I can be reached via email (jmccomb@chclc.org) or phone through the main office. 

Ms. McGovern is working with me this fall as a School Counselor Intern. She attends Widener University and will be at Kilmer one day a week working with students. She has already spent time at High School East and is excited to gain more experience with elementary school students.

This month I will be visiting all classrooms to introduce myself to students and share my role with them. I will be reading the book Say Something by Peter Reynolds to each class and sharing a little bit about me. I can’t wait to visit each classroom in the next couple of weeks.