Asian-Pacific Heritage Month!

Did you know May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month? Take this time to expand your horizons
and learn about the varied cultures that make up our American tapestry. Tip #12: Be Culturally
Competent!

Like most commemorative months, Asian-Pacific Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill. In June 1977, Reps. Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed. On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration. Twelve years later, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension making the week-long celebration into a month-long celebration. In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian- Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law.

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Learn more about this holiday and what you can do to celebrate here: http://asianpacificheritage.gov/about.html

Tip #15: Ask… Celebrate Cultural Diversity!

 

There are so many things for us to learn about one another, and it starts with our desire to understand. What better way to recognize other cultures and ethnicities then to simply ask questions? Here are some ways you can teach your family, friends, and yourself about cultures beyond of your own:  

· Create a craft with children that represents a different culture and discuss it together.

· Read about religions around the world in a book such as"The Everything World's Religions Book" by Kenneth Shouler.

· Ask friends who are of different ethnicities questions about their traditions.

· Try out some recipes from around the world with a multicultural cookbook like "The Multicultural Cookbook of Life-Cycle Celebrations."

Can you think of any more ideas? Be sure to share them on our Facebook Wall!

April Dignity & Respect Champion: Dr. Magi Berger

Congratulations to Dr. Magi Berger, April’s Dignity & Respect Champion! Every morning at Clairton Elementary, students listen to five of their peers state over the loud speaker how they are going to practice dignity and respect that day. After just one year as principal, Dr. Magi Berger has instilled the values of inclusion into the school, and they are reflected all day, every day.

"From bully behavior, to poverty, to abuse and neglect, and many other trials that life is full of for our students, it becomes even more important to role-model dignity and respect. We as educators are positioned to influence so many lives. Each time we take such opportunity we are that much more likely to be the special person in their lives that they remember long after schooling. We may be that voice in their minds pushing them toward greatness or helping them make it to college, trade school, or beyond," said Dr. Berger.

As a resident of the North Hills, Dr. Berger came to Clairton Elementary after working at Pittsburgh Public Schools. Since becoming principal, Dr. Berger, staff, and faculty have adopted "Dignity & Respect for Everyone and Everything" as the school's theme, and promote it on report cards and newsletters. Through contests and ceremonies the students are rewarded for good behavior and grades with cupcake parties and t-shirts.

Recognizing the significance of simple acts of kindness, Dr. Berger offers a helping hand whenever she sees the opportunity. She believes that these actions begin with an individual and extends to others as a pay-it-forward deed.  

Dr. Berger feels that if everyone showed value and recognition toward each other, we can bring communities together, resulting in a more vibrant and positive home for everyone.

Do you know an individual who makes a positive impact and promotes an environment of inclusion? If so, nominate the person in your life you feel has made a difference for the Dignity & Respect Champion Award!

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month!

Did you know April is also Distracted Driving Awareness Month? Respect your fellow drivers! Why not take this opportunity to make sure the road stays safe for everyone.

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:

· Texting

· Using a cell phone or smartphone

· Eating and drinking

· Talking to passengers

· Grooming

· Reading, including maps

· Watching a video

· Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.

Check out these statistics:

Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.

Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted.

Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.

Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%.

So make sure you and your loved ones are driving safely and responsibly!

Get all the facts on distracted driving here: http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html