Please call, email, or stop by the counseling center to learn more about coping skills, strategies, and resources. 

We want to help! 

Have a great end of the school year, good luck on exams, and remember that you are special and worth taking care of! 

May 2022

Looking Ahead 

Now that we’ve all made it through the spring break our minds have moved forward to planning the summer!  

What will you be doing?  

Here are some ideas of what’s going on around town: 

Setting Goals for Five-Week Reports

Think back: how did you feel at the end of Quarter 1 and the end of Quarter 2? 

The Q3 five-week mark is coming up on Friday, 3/4/22. Now is the time to set some goals so you can avoid end-of-quarter stress!

Try this:

Write Down a Specific, Realistic Goal. Examples:

• I want to have ALL assignments submitted by the five-week report on Friday, 3/4/22.

• I want to make Merit Roll this quarter (85 - 87.49)

• I want to make Honor Roll this quarter (87.5 - 92.49)

• I want to make High Honor Roll this quarter (92.5+)

Break It Down to Daily Tasks. Examples:

• I will complete 1 missing assignment from each subject each night. (And make a checklist of those missing assignments!)

• I will stay after for Math on Monday, Science on Tuesday, English on Wednesday, and Spanish on Thursday.

• I will ask Mr. Historywiz for an extra credit assignment.

If You Slip Up, Don't Give Up!

• If you miss one of daily tasks, recommit the next day.

• Ask for help when needed!

Stay Positive!

• Pat yourself on the back every time you complete a task on your list. (Literally—pat yourself on the back!)

• Use positive self-talk. ("I got Merit Roll once before, I can get it again!" or "Today-Me is capable of helping out Tomorrow-Me!"

• Find a friend with a similar goal and cheer each other on. Set a coffee date and work through those task lists side-by-side!

Self-Love!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

May the magic of the holiday season fill both your home and your heart with peace and joy and bring you hope, laughter and happiness. We’re looking forward to seeing you all again soon! Take care of yourselves and stay safe.

GRATITUDE

KINDNESS

What is kindness?

It is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

Why is kindness important?

When we practice kindness either to other people or towards ourselves we can experience positive mental and physical changes through lowering stress levels and increasing the body’s production of feel-good hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. Being kind helps boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure and reduce stress and anxiety.

How do we show kindness to others?

Showing kindness to others does not have to mean doing something big or life changing. Often it’s the smallest acts of kindness that can have the most impact. A moment of support in a time of need, a quiet word of encouragement, a helping hand to carry a heavy load, or just a smile that says ‘I see you’ can make a world of difference. Whatever the act itself, it’s supported by four principles:

1. Awareness – we must be aware of the opportunity to be kind

2. Non-judgment – we must be prepared to stop judgment if we want to be truly kind

3. Action – we must act in a friendly, generous and considerate manner to the person in front of us

4. Unconditional – being kind means offering kindness without conditions or expectation of reward

Summer Office Hours

Your counselor's summer work hours are limited, so an email or voicemail reply may be delayed. If you need immediate assistance, please call 874-8401 x21521.  

If you need to *change your schedule* you MUST complete the schedule change request form by July 30th. You can use our course catalog for more information on options and requirements.

If you have a question regarding summer school, please visit the summer school website or call 871-2082.

For transcript requests please email psorrento@ktufsd.org or call x21534.

Have a great summer!

Summer is HERE!

We're in the home stretch... today is the LAST day of classes!  If you still have work to finish up, you have Thursday through Monday to complete & turn in your assignments!

As for summer time - ENJOY IT! 

You've earned it after this roller coaster of a year!

Take some time to reflect, and ask yourself some questions:

➜ What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?

➜ If you could go back in time and restart the school year, what would you do differently and why?

➜ In what area did you make the biggest improvements this year?

➜ What are the three most important things you learned this year? (they don't have to be academic!)

Use your answers to these questions to set goals for yourself for next school year.

Not sure how to spend your time this summer? 

Spend time with friends, enjoy the outdoors (try hiking - Best Hikes in WNY), find a part-time job, exercise, read some good books, volunteer, take a class to learn a new skill, explore Buffalo (Things to do in Buffalo), the list goes on!

And last but not least, CONGRATULATIONS to our graduating SENIORS!  

We're all so proud of you!  Best wishes & good luck with your future plans!

☀ Enjoy your summer, Kenmore West! ☀

Mental Health is a Spectrum!

As summer approaches, we invite you to think about how you can work on your mental health and come back next year ready to flourish.

Mental health isn't simply "good" or "bad" - it's a spectrum on which there is a wide range of experiences and symptoms.  On one end of that spectrum is experiencing difficulties.  On the other end of that spectrum is FLOURISHING: a sense of connection, purpose, and meaning.  And in the middle of that spectrum, we have what is known as languishing, when we're not having significant difficulties, but we're not flourishing either (we're just kind of getting by).  

How to tell if you're Languishing

It's not always easy to recognize, because symptoms aren't severe like depression or anxiety.  But maybe you recognize that you are experiencing a lack of motivation, foggy thinking or feeling unfocused, low enthusiasm for activities you usually enjoy, kind of feeling dull or empty, not super engaged in school or other activities, or just working on not feeling negative instead of working towards feeling positive.

The most effective tools for Flourishing

Researchers have shown that there are effective habits and behaviors, when practiced regularly over time, that truly improve our well-being and help us move toward flourishing.

Mindfulness: whether you practice this in the form of yoga, mediation, walks in nature, or conscious breathing exercises, mindfulness helps bring our attention to the present moment rather than focusing on regrets from the past or fears about the future.  Mindfulness practices have shown to reliably improve our state of mind, mood, and satisfaction with life.

Flow: flow is the experience of being completely immersed in an activity.  You can enhance your well-being by activating your skills, focus and creativity.  Make art, sing, rock climb, write, bake - any activity where you can get into the flow and let your mind be present with what you are doing.  Turn off the screens for a half hour and just let yourself get into something creative.

Connection: relationships provide the most consistent source of meaning for those who are languishing as well as for those who are flourishing.  Your social support is one of the most important factors contributing to a positive state of mind.  This doesn't include online connections and socializations, so make an effort to go for a walk or a bike ride with friends and family this summer.

Small, daily achievements: simply rearranging your room or cleaning out your closet can cultivate feelings of accomplishment, meaning, and self-worth as well as a sense of satisfaction.

Savoring our experiences: notice the moments of pleasure, awe and connection.  This will reinforce your tendency to notice the positive.  The human brain has what's known as a "negativity bias" because we are wired to perceive danger and threats in order to survive.  So, we need to very consciously work to retrain our minds to appreciate the good.  The more you do this, the easier it becomes.

Changing our environment: this can be a reminder that there is something new and joyful to discover in the world around us.  Be a tourist in your own town and go somewhere you've never been before.  Take it at your own pace and remember that pushing through a little bit of anxiety (for being out of your comfort zone) is often necessary to expand your comfort zone.

Do good for others: the research is clear - people with flourishing mental health are more focused on community building and helping others than those who are languishing.  Self-care is important! However, since contributing to the greater good is proven to enhance our own happiness levels, we can actually take care of ourselves by doing good for others.

Crossing the Finish Line with Sources of Strength

May Is Mental Health Month  

PERSON-FIRST LANGUAGE

“Person-first means using language to recognize a person’s experience with mental health as only part of them as a person, and not the whole.”

PRODUCTIVE PHRASES

·       “A person living with schizophrenia”

·       “My brother living with OCD“

·       “She is a person recovering from addiction”

·       “She is a person recovering from an Eating Disorder”

COUNTERPRODUCTIVE PHRASES

·       “A schizophrenic”

·       “My OCD brother”

·       “She is an addict”

·       “My anorexic sister”

NORMALIZING LANGUAGE

Normalizing what one is going through and not minimizing or judging their experience with mental health can help people open up more regularly and feel less alone.

PRODUCTIVE PHRASES

·       “It’s understandable to feel down with everything going on”

·       “What you’re going through is challenging”

COUNTERPRODUCTIVE PHRASES

·       “Depression is not a bad illness to have”

·       “Some people have it way worse”

·       “Why can’t you just chill out?”

COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE

Words and phrases that are second nature to us (slang or colloquial expressions) may be rooted in problematic assumptions, which can hurt those around us.

PRODUCTIVE PHRASES

·       “I’m having trouble focusing”

·       “The weather is fluctuating a lot today”

·       “I like things done in a particular way”

·       “That’s unreal”

COUNTERPRODUCTIVE PHRASES

·       “I have such ADD right now”

·       “This weather is bipolar”

·       “I’m so OCD about this kind of stuff”

·       “That’s crazy/insane”             

— National Alliance on Mental Health —

Let There Be Light!

According to Future Workplace’s survey, over 1,600 employees ranked “access to natural light and views of the outdoors” as their number one desire for a workplace environment.

This came over and above other perks like fitness centers and on-site childcare.

If you’re among the many who crave more sun, it’s interesting to note that pure sunlight isn’t just a nice little plus to casting a homey glow in your cubicle or making your food photos Insta-worthy.

Here are our top reasons to become an indoor sun-seeker, and tips to make it happen.

Health benefits of natural light

1. Boosts vitamin D

When exposed to sunlight, the skin absorbs vitamin D, a critical nutrient that prevents bone loss and reduces the risk of heart disease, weight gain, and various cancers.

The so-called “sunshine vitamin” also doesn’t discriminate based on whether you get your sunlight indoors or out.

Meaning: increasing your natural light where you spend the most time, be it home or the workplace, is equally important.

2. Wards off seasonal depression

For many people, autumn is a giddy time of crunchy leaves and all things pumpkin spice. Getting as much natural light as possible can help keep these mood changes at bay.

For about 6 percentTrusted Source of the population, fall kicks off a time of serious depression known as seasonal affective disorder (aka major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns).

Another 14 percentTrusted Source experienced the less debilitating (but still significant) “winter blues.”

3. Improves sleep

Since mental health and sleep often go hand in hand, it’s not surprising that natural light affects both.

A small 2014 studyTrusted Source of office workers revealed that the more natural light exposure they received, the better sleep they experienced.

SO, while you are studying and preparing for the end of the school year - give yourself some time outside.

If it is sunny out, grab your books and a chair and take in some natural light.  Be sure to put some sunscreen on, we want to protect ourselves, however, the benefits the sun offers us are clear!  Have a great week everyone and remember, if you are feeling like you need someone to talk to or connect with, your counselor, social worker or psychologists are here - ready and willing to help out!!

Here is a visual relaxation exercise for you to try this week.  I hope you like it:

Let’s use the example of a student named Sam who earned a 75% on a Social Studies exam when the students’ normal scores are closer to a 90%.   

Step 1: Description: Sam earned a score in social studies that is significantly lower than his true academic ability. 

Step 2: Feelings/ Thoughts:  Sam is upset that he didn’t earn a higher score.  He is worried how this will affect his overall average and how it will look on his high school transcript. Sam feels like he could have done better. 

Step 3: Evaluation:  When Sam thought about how he studied for this exam, he realized he didn’t take time to prepare but instead crammed the night before.  He used flashcards to learn new vocabulary, and reread the the chapter summaries to study 

Step 4:  Conclusion:  

1. The flash cards were helpful to learn vocabulary 

2. Only studying the night before the exam to study was not enough preparation

3. It doesn’t feel good to get a score on an exam that is lower than what we feel we are capable of 

Step 5: Action:  The next time Sam finds out about an upcoming exam, he will make a plan of what to study each day leading up to the test to avoid feeling overwhelmed and cramming the night before. He will continue to use flash cards and consider other ways to study than just rereading chapter summaries such as: study group, create a study guide, watch video clips on subject matter, review past tests. 

And remember, you have support here at Ken West.

Your School Counselors, Social Worker, and Psychologists are here for you every step of the way! 

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Throughout the month of May, we will be bringing attention to the reality of mental illness and that everyone at some point in their lives experiences a mental illness.

You might say, "What? Not me!"

Some of us live with a mental illness, many of which are diagnosed between the ages of 14-24. All of us will experience a loss (or traumatic event) where we could develop a mental illness for a period of time, e.g. depression or anxiety.

Whatever the circumstances: YOU AREN'T ALONE, and with recognition and treatment the majority of people will experience improvement in their lives.

Having knowledge about mental illness will begin to reduce the stigma which prevents individuals from getting help. To help with this we will be providing information on the announcements and on the television screens about mental illness and developing good mental health practices. (Take a moment this week to learn about Lizzo and Michael Phelps and their journey with mental illness.)

If you would like additional information about mental illness, the links below will take you to local and national websites.   As always, your school counselors, school social worker, and school psychologists are available to support you.

Medical Health Associates of Western New York

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Institute of Mental Health

Mental Health America

With April coming to a close, nice weather upon us, and eight weeks left in the school year, many people are full of
☀ HOPE for summer! ☀

Buzzfeed Quizzes (with a Twist)

Naviance is a tool that helps you with career exploration, college exploration, and discovering your individual learning style.

Why use Naviance now?

• The assessments are just like those Make A Playlist Of No. 1 Songs From The Last 20 Years And We'll Guess What Year You Were Born* Buzzfeed quizzes... only the results are really useful! (Not gonna lie, that personalized playlist would be a nice stress-relief tool this quarter too!)

• Gain motivation for your short-term (quarter 4) goals by connecting them to your long-term (life/career) goals.

• Discover your learning styles so you can tap into your natural talents this quarter.

• Applying for a summer job? Naviance has a résumé tool to help you make a great first impression with employers.

• Find best-fit colleges so that you can start visiting campuses this summer.
  
  

Check out the Counseling Center's Guide to Naviance Tools. We break down the resources by grade level, but you can start using the tools (or revisit them!) anytime.

*Mr. Lorentz got 2011 for the year he was born. 👶

Below are some ideas that can make you feel more connected with Spring and the fresh perspective it can bring!

Make a Bird Feeder.

This is a fun activity to do either by yourself or with someone else. Get as creative as you want or simply follow the instructions in the links below. Once you’re done, hang it outside your window and you’ll have birds flocking to your bird feeder and your very own special bird viewing area.

Make a Cookie Cutter Bird Feeder or Make a Bird Seed Wreath

Bring Spring Inside.

Plant flowers in little pots or start growing plants, flowers or veggies from seeds in egg cartons or other containers. It won’t be long before you can transfer them outside!

Compile Some Top 10 Lists of Things You Feel Are Important

10 things to do before Spring break ends, or 10 things that personally make you happy. Maybe your 10 favorite songs or books, 10 places you’d like to travel to, or some other top 10 list of whatever you want.

Go for a Hike.

Explore a nature area and learn to identify birds, trees, plants and flowers. Spring is a natural time for exploring science and nature. Your library offers lots of books that can help!

Have a Board or Card Game Day.

There’s nothing like a little friendly competition to rev up your energy!

Spend a Day Working Outside. 

Put in some time getting your yard in shape. Gather the tools and materials needed for a special outdoor project you and your family can do together. Maybe a new garden area. And don’t forget to plan a post-project treat to reward everyone for their hard work!

Indulge in a Spa Day.  

Get nail polish, glitter and lotions from the drug store and give each other manicures, facials and make-overs.     

Do Absolutely Nothing.  

Yes. That’s right. Take one… or even two… days that are totally unscheduled — with no expectations. Give yourself the time and space to sleep late, get creative, work on a hobby or simply relax.

“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large."

— Confucius —

It is important to push yourself sometimes, even when it seems like a lot.  Everything that happens to you can be an opportunity to learn about yourself.  When things get tough, as they sometimes do, take a breath and reach out for help.  Just know that whatever it is that is happening, whatever is causing you some difficulty, it is  temporary.  It will pass - just hang in there, look for the life lesson and move on!!  if moving on is too difficult - come to the counseling center. I guarantee one of us can help you with that.

Have a great week everyone.

Try to get out and enjoy the sunshine when it comes out - the sun helps, it heals!!

The link below is a breathing exercise: give it a try!

Practice your breathing...

Thoughtful Decision Making

Here are some helpful steps to consider going through the next time you feel stuck.

1. Take a breath: pause, and take a breath (literally).  Give yourself a moment to step back and evaluate the situation. 

2. Identify the problem: try to clearly define the decision you must make. 

3. Brainstorm options: gather relevant information, whether this be from within or from trusted references and come up with a list of all possible options. 

4. Review the pros and cons: imagine what it would be like to carry out each of the alternatives to the end. 

5. Create a plan to move forward: Once you have weighed all the options, make a choice and do your best. 

6. Self evaluate: afterwards take a moment to think about how you approached the problem and if you are happy with the result.  How could you better approach this issue in the future?  Was the problem resolved? 

7. AND ALWAYS seek help from a trusted adult if you are stuck.

It's a Wonderful Wednesday!! 

The weather will be wonderful, 60's!! Woohoo. We hope you will get the opportunity to get out there and enjoy. 

The daylight is hanging around longer. This weekend we put our clocks forward one hour. 

And finally there are signs that Spring is just around the corner. Spring is a time of change and renewal. 

Take a moment to watch this short video from Headspace on Change.

What have you learned about yourself this past year? How have you grown and changed.

One of the ways to cope with change is to practice a Mindful Minute, that pause for your mind and your body. 

So today Kenmore West, take at least one minute for yourself and enjoy this Wonderful Wednesday Weather, as we know it will change.

Take care and WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

Your School Counselors, Social Workers and Psychologists

Moving Forward

Spring is around the corner, which signals the last few months of the school year.  And it's been a school year like no other, to say the least.  None of us could have ever imagined how much our lives, routines, and relationships changed in the past year.

Emphasis on past... we still have a ways to go to be "back to normal" but we can't change the events of the past year, so what can we do? 

Keep moving forward!

When you're feeling guilty, or ashamed, or angry about past events, and you dwell on these thoughts, it can lead to an increase in these feelings, and cause anxiety and depression.  It's normal to feel these things when negative events happen in our lives, but the important thing to remember is not to dwell on them.  

Here are some strategies for moving forward in your life:

1. Take a step back - what!?!?  This is supposed to be about moving forward!  Why take a step back?  Take a moment to assess your situation... one final moment to look back on the past events.  Recognize where you are, what got you here, what you've learned from your experiences, and what you truly want. 

2. Get specific - it's hard to move forward when you're not sure why you're stuck.  Complete the sentence "I am stuck because..." and then ask "what else?"  Usually once we put a name to it, we can tame it and start moving forward.

3. Reconnect to your WHY - what's the big picture for you?  What's important to you? Connecting with your WHY will be the fuel to keep you going. Check out this clip from Michael Jr., a comedian who reminds us why connecting to our WHY is so important: Know Your Why

4. Brainstorm your options - make lists of your choices, regardless of how "right" or "wrong" they might be.  Talk to people you trust to get ideas for what you could do.

5. Take a brain break - when you find you've been thinking about stressful things or a problem too much, take a break.  Do something to positively distract yourself, then come back to the issue when your mind is rested and more clear. If taking a small break isn't helping, take a bigger, longer break. Sometimes shifting your mind to something completely different (perhaps practicing gratitude for the great things happening in your life) can give you a better perspective.

6. Let go of what's not working - if you've tried the same thing over and over without a positive result, it's time to change things up.  Explore new & different ideas.

7. Take ACTION - sometimes we come up with a plan, but are too afraid to put it into place.  Even though those first steps can be nerve-wracking - make your move.  Action creates more action; inactivity can create self-doubt and confusion.

“If we think of everything we have to do, we feel overwhelmed. If we do the one thing we need to do, we make progress.” ~ Simon Sinek (author of Start Your Why)

8. Reach out for help - we could all use help when we're stuck.  Asking for help is not showing weakness.  It is using your resources, which you'll have to use throughout your life.  Now is the time to become more comfortable with asking for help, and accepting it. Receiving help from others can help you feel less lonely, more hopeful, and can validate your thoughts & feelings.

So whether it's a tough academic year,

stressful family/friend situations,

or personal struggles that you've been dealing with,

remember the past is in the past.

Keep moving forward!

It's the end of February, after a long, grey winter in a very long, difficult year.  

Are you feeling like you're in a funk?  

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  

Sometimes, a funk is just something we need to shake off. Our mood can be impacted by the weather, by a loss or disappointment, or by general problems, and we can take steps to feel better.

Want to Get Out of a Funk?

1. FOOD - your brain needs 130 grams of (healthy) carbs per day just to function!  The healthier choices you make, the better fuel you are putting into your brain.

2. WATER - dehydration happens faster than you realize!  And it impacts all your cognitive functions like learning, attention and mood regulation.

3. SHOWER - cold showers can help when you're feeling sad, and warm showers can help when you're feeling anxious.  But feeling clean and fresh can impact your mood either way.

4. MOVE - exercise releases serotonin, our brain's mood-stabilizing chemical.

5. BREATHE - deep breathing brings new O2 to the brain, which helps boost your energy, release tension, and elevate your mood.

Sometimes, however, what we think of as "a funk" is actually a sign of something deeper that needs our attention, like depression.  People who experience depression may feel worthless or hopeless.  Sometimes, depression is experienced as anger or irritability.  Usually, a person experiencing depression has difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and is losing interest in things they used to enjoy.  

If this type of depression lasts longer than a couple weeks, doesn't go away when we take care of ourselves, and is negatively impacting our lives, it is important to seek help.  

Depression is a real illness and it is treatable!  Talk with a trusted adult about these feelings and make a plan to move forward with treatment.  There are many avenues to treat depression, including online counseling.  You are so important to us.  You are worthy and deserve to feel well.

National Suicide Hotline - 800-273-8255

Take care of yourselves Ken West!  Spring is just around the corner.

We all deal with change differently... it can lead to a wide range of emotions.  Here are some helpful ways to handle & cope with a change:

First, don't stress out about "stressing out." This is a common issue - we anticipate a high stress level about an upcoming change, then we're anxious about the stress we're feeling, leading to double the amount of stress. Your reaction to stress has a significant impact on your health and success than the actual stress itself.  Stress can be healthy, if it is helping you to excel at something, and if you see it in a positive way.

Second, talk about what's changing for you, instead of how you're feeling about it.  This might sound odd, coming from a group of mental health professionals, encouraging you not to talk about your feelings.  But sometimes dwelling on negative emotions gets in the way of moving forward and accepting change.  Notice the anger or frustration you might be feeling, and how it might affect your thinking during this change.  Then seek out realistic advice about what to do next... TAKE ACTION!

Third, find humor in the situation. Finding a funny moment during stressful times of change can release some of your stress, as well as make someone else smile.  Just be sure it's respectful... others might be going through a difficult time, so be sure you're finding the humor in your own situation, not someone else's.

Check out this video on laughter & stress: 

Fourth, focus on your values instead of your fears. Remind yourself about what's important to you - family, friends, education, work, good health, music, sports, whatever it is, can help you realize that your personal identity can't be changed by a challenging situation.

Fifth, accept the past but fight for the future. Change is unavoidable, and will always happen throughout our lives. Sometimes it is within our control, and other times, it is not. But we are always free to decide how we respond to it.

Lastly, except more possible change.  Sometimes one change can lead to others.  Be aware and prepare yourself that even though you've accepted the initial change, others may be around the corner.

Save or print the image below and post it somewhere as a reminder:

Virtual Learners, how can you help?

• Be patient as your teachers navigate teaching students in their room and online at the same time. (We've been preparing all year, but it will still be a challenge navigating multiple screens, microphones, cameras, people, cleaning, etc.)

• Ask questions, and help answer others' questions.

  • If you're confused about something, you're probably not the only one!

  • If your teacher hasn't seen a question yet in the chat, you can answer and help others avoid frustration.

• Close other tabs, keep your phone and games out of reach. This helps you learn and also helps the teacher avoid having to repeat directions.

Cohort A/B Learners, how can you help?

• Offer your teacher help with technology. For example, can you present and click through the Slides on one device so your teacher can see the Virtual Learners on another?

• Welcome new students and 8th graders to Kenmore West, and offer directions if they're looking lost.

• Engage the Virtual Learners! You remember how hard it was to pay attention from home, so do your best to keep them in the classroom conversation.

PS—now is the time to help yourself as well. Check your To-do list in Google Classroom and get caught up on missing assignments. The end of Quarter 2 is going to be here faster than you think!

Remember, only a few weeks until our next break! Make them count so you're in good shape to finish up Q2 when we come back after Christmas break!

And reach out to your Counselor, Social Worker, or Psychologist when you need to.  We are here for you!

We hope you all enjoyed your day off yesterday - let's take a minute to discuss why we had off.

Veterans Day is the one day a year that we acknowledge and thank anyone who has served in the United States Armed Forces.  We pause from everything to offer a sincere thank you to the men and women who have defended our country, defended our Democracy, and defended people who needed help around the world.

The military consists of 7 branches:  Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and the newly established Space Force.

In the USA, Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States on Veterans Day.  

If you have a Veteran in your family or amongst your friends, make sure to thank them for their service!  Without them our lives would be very different than it is right now.

Have a great week everyone.

Please be careful as you go out - continue to wear your mask, social distance and wash those hands.  

Take care and reach out if you need anything!!