Sheldon Allan Silverstein, popularly known as Shel Silverstein, was an American poet, singer-songwriter, children’s author, cartoonist and a screenwriter. Born during the Great Depression into an immigrant Jewish family in Chicago, he was raised under difficult conditions for the first few years of his life. To keep his mind away from the trouble, he started doodling early in his childhood. Never good in studies, he could not adjust anywhere until he entered Roosevelt University, where his talent was recognized and nurtured by his English professor. But before he could graduate, he was drafted into the army to serve in the Korean War. It was while working for the military newspaper ‘Pacific Stars and Stripes’ that he first started drawing cartoons. On returning home he started submitting cartoons to various journals, ultimately joining publications as a cartoonist and roving reporter, making a name in the field. Slowly he evolved as a successful singer-songwriter, holding copyright for more than 800 songs. His children’s books, translated into thirty languages, have sold over 20 million copies, and continue to dominate best-sellers lists.They include the popular, A Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree. Silverstein often eschewed happy endings because children, he said, might otherwise wonder why they themselves were not comparably happy. He was credited for helping young readers develop an appreciation of poetry, and his serious verse reveals an understanding of common childhood anxieties and wishes.

With its origins from a local celebration in Santa Rosa, Women’s History Month became a national celebration in 1987 when Congress passed new legislation and President Reagan authorized this new annual observance. Ever since that legislation, each March we highlight the achievements women have made over the course of American and world history in a variety of fields. Our "main event" for the month will be in the form of a WISH Community generated "Tribute to Women" - and hope everyone participates. Additionally, our librarians will be recording and posting read alouds celebrating women and selecting other books for every aged reader. Our Spotlight Series will continue, this month focusing on inspirational women, and we'll be highlighting a variety of additional resources for every family to continue learning at home.

 

Each February WISH celebrates Black History Month, highlighting the accomplishments and contributions that African Americans have made to the scientific, legal, education, athletic, art, music, and social justice fabric of our country – something we do year-round but shine a brighter spotlight in February.

 

We believe teaching our children about Black History Month and the many important African American influencers and contributors continue to move our society forward. By teaching them to respect the history, culture, and accomplishments of African Americans, they will be more aware and more accepting of everyone within our highly diverse country.

 

Throughout the month our students will learn about the Black women and men who have shaped our society and culture. This will occur in the core curriculum as well as through music, art, and the written word. Below is a list of upcoming events, efforts, and resources for our entire community to be a part of this annual WISH tradition.

 

Please click below to view our very special Welcome Video featuring students and staff 

 

Celebrating influential Black voices from the past and the present, in the areas of science, social justice, sports, and culture. Read below to learn more about these great Americans.

"For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it." This sentence thrust Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history and current National Youth Poet Laureate, into the global conversation. An award-winning writer, cum laude graduate of Harvard University, and a Westchester local, Amanda stirred a nation and inspired a generation at the recent inauguration. We hope Amanda's love of writing excites all of our writers to reach new heights. Her picture book, "Change Sings," and book of poetry, "The Hill We Climb," arrives in September and available for pre-order now.

 

 

Victor J. Glover Jr. This California native and highly decorated Naval Officer is the first African American to have an extended stay at the International Space Station, currently flying over our heads sixteen times each day. He was born on April 30, 1976, and grew up in Pomona, California. He attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering in 1999. Glover joined the US Navy and completed advanced flight training in 2001. He had a decorated career in the Navy, accumulating 3,000 flight hours in more than 40 aircraft over 400 carrier-arrested landings and 23 combat missions for the Navy. In 2012, he served as a legislative fellow on the late Senator John McCain’s staff. During this time, Glover was selected for the 2013 NASA Astronaut Group. He is currently serving as a pilot and second-in-command on the Crew-1 SpaceX Crew Dragon, named Resilience, which launched November 15, 2020. He is the first African American to have an extended duration mission aboard the International Space Station. Click here to learn more about Victor Glover, and follow him on Twitter @AstroVicGlover for up-to-date posts of his adventures on the Space Station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.