Big thanks going out to...

• Mrs. Putnam and her students for bringing the tradition of Swedish St. Lucia to life
• All those involved in our successful Polar Plunge fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics
• WDOE Radio for spotlighting our therapy dog Yost
• Our student musicians and faculty for their efforts to bring music to our community during the holiday season
• All those who have engaged in a variety of holiday celebrations from many different cultures
• All of our winter sports student-athletes and coaches for getting the season off to a great start

Hello Fredonia School Community,

We hope this finds you well and gearing up for the upcoming holidays as we enjoy time with family and friends.

We have been working hard within the district to create a sense of belonging amongst both students and adults. The word belonging can be defined as a sense of being part of something larger than yourself or feeling like you are an important member of a group.

Being a part of an accepting community allows us to feel a greater connection to those around us. When we have the support of others and are not alone, we become more resilient, and are able to become our greatest selves.

A sense of belonging is crucial to our happiness, mental well-being, physical health, and even longevity. It gives everyone a sense of purpose and meaning. Research has shown that loss of belonging has been associated with stress, illness, and depression.

William Glasser, an American psychiatrist who lived until 2013, developed a concept called Choice Theory. He believed that all behavior is chosen and all human behavior is driven by the desire to satisfy five basic human needs. These include the need to survive, be loved and belong, be powerful, be free, and to have fun. Glasser shares that the need for love & belonging includes the drive to be connected with others, such as friends, family, co-workers, pets, and those we interact with on a daily basis. He further states that when a sense of belonging exists, those involved can be themselves and maximize their potential both personally and professionally.

Much thought was given to incorporating language that reinforces a sense of belonging as we created our updated mission, vision, and core belief statements. These statements support this effort by incorporating terms such as “respect”, “inclusivity”, “diversity”, “support”, “resilience”, “honor”, and “growth”. We welcome the entire school community to be active participants in our culture of belonging at FCSD.

Please watch for additional information on this topic in the upcoming updates.

I hope all of our Fredonia families have a fantastic winter break at the end of the month. Happy Holidays!

Respectfully,

Brad Zilliox

Students in Jill Putnam's third grade class celebrated the traditional Swedish holiday of St. Lucia on the same day it is observed around the world - December 13.

St. Lucia is celebrated with a candelit procession of children in white gowns, each fulfilling a different role. Lucia is said to be "an ancient figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters." Our students learned about (and ate!) traditional food and drink served during St. Lucia, and listened to the beautiful Swedish songs sung during a procession. Outside the classroom, a St. Lucia display can be seen with artwork of the northern lights.

After celebrating in the classroom, students processed down the hall to visit our building offices where they offered up treats and coffee! Thank you to Mrs. Putnam and her students for bringing this global tradition to life and sharing it with others.

To learn more about St. Lucia, click the link below.

This year's polar plunge to benefit Special Olympics New York was a HUGE success! Our team, the Chilly Billies, smashed their fundraising goal and raised $6,965 for the cause! Check out what a fun (and frosty) time they had.

Thanks to student Ryan Davis for this video!

The FHS National Honor Society has worked hard to partner with the Lakeshore Humane Society on a "Howliday Tree" donation project. We are asking for parents teachers and students to either send in goods for the humane society, donate funds, or sponsor an animal for $5. Pick your favorite animal off the tree and use the QR code to donate and write your name on it. A direct link to donate can also be found below.

Are you a student who is interested in art and music in high school? Watch this video to learn more about our new Individual Arts Assessment Pathway (IAAP), which allows you to focus on the arts as a pathway to graduation.

Thanks to Ryan Davis for this video!

The FMS Service Learning Club is collecting gently used and/or new shoes to assist in raising funds for local service dogs. Collection boxes are in the Middle School outside Lisa Forbes' classroom, and will continue until the end of this week.

Speaking of pups...our own Yost is becoming quite the celebrity about town! Thanks to Tim Wright and Yost for highlighting our therapy dog work on WDOE Radio recently. To listen to the interview, click here and navigate to "View point" at the top of the page. Many thanks to Dave Rowley and WDOE for their hospitality.

Several of our student musicians participated in Miracle on Main Street recently, playing beautiful holiday tunes at several local businesses. We love this community spirit!

Did you know that Fredonia is the only school in Chautauqua County to have an in-house food pantry? Through the hard work of our School Social Worker Kat Beyer and our Family Support Services staff, and in partnership with FeedMore WNY, our new school food pantry is up and running. We serve students of all grade levels and their families who may need a little extra assistance with groceries and pantry staples. Any student or family member can reach out to an adult and pick up items from the pantry. They can also fill out the form linked below to request specific items, and even take advantage of delivery of these items. The items pictured are not the only items available, so please reach out with any questions. We are especially grateful for the partnership with Feedmore WNY (formerly Meals on Wheels and the Food Pantry of WNY) who provides all of these items at no cost to the district.

One of this year's district focus areas is to provide for the basic needs of our students, and this program certainly supports that goal. Thank you to all those involved!

For more information on our Family Support Services department, visit our website.