A Friday Celebration

We've made it to the end of another week folks and we are ever so close to our Thanksgiving break.  I am proud of each and every one of you for the effort and energy you have put into being successful during thr first third of the school year! 

Today I want to mention a little celebration in honor of Transgender Awareness week which was this week.  Trans awareness week is a week when, "transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community."  I want to acknowledge that once again, our brave little state has helped to lead our county in breaking barriers!  This past election day Winooski voters elected Taylor Small, VT's first openly Transgender Lawmaker!  You can read about her win here.

Congratulations to Winooski, and all Vermonters, for continuing to value inclusion and representative voices in our workplaces and in our policymaking.  I do want to note, however, that we can't stop here.  We have a long way to go to continue to make sure Transpeople and other minority voices are heard around the state and our nation.  The fact that I am just now, at the end of Trans Awareness week, pointing out its existence is a problem.  I was not even aware of the designation of this week until I was reading through emails from Teaching Tolerance - a publication I receive that helps teachers learn about ways to teach inclusivity in the classroom.  As the school counselor, you'd think I'd be aware of this important week, right?  Now I know, and I will work to do better in keeping you informed too.  

One thing that I have noticed in our return to school since September is how grateful people are to be here and to be learning.  I have observed that this gratitude seems to have extended to how we treat each other.  We seem to be doing a better job of recognizing each individual's unique experience in the world, and we seem to be more willing to embrace and accept others as their unique selves.  Keep taking care of each other Cougars.  Keep cheering each other along!  And please reach out if you see ways that we can continue to improve our support of Transgender students or anyone who expresses their truth!  



Be well and happy Friday!

Mrs. Hempey  

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