December 2024 – Kalamazoo Language and Intercultural Partners

a young girl looking at the camera and smiling

Issue 21 – December 2024

Stay Healthy This Winter

The weather is changing. December is colder than November. Sickness is normal in the winter. Sneezing, coughing, and a stuffy nose are symptoms of the common cold. Fever and nausea are more serious and may be influenza or “the flu”. A fever is a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 F) or higher. Wash hands often to be healthy, especially before eating and after playing. Soap and water help wash away germs. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue and do not touch your face, because germs can get in through your eyes, nose, or mouth. Remember to wear warm clothes, drink water, and get plenty of rest. Stay strong and healthy!

Headlines

Reflections

It’s December! We think about the past months of 2024. We remember important events, both big and small. Reflection means to think about your experiences, your feelings, and actions. Thinking about the past year can help you learn, grow, and understand more about yourself.

What lessons did you learn this year? Did you make new friends? Did you achieve your goals? What was a challenge from this year? Think about how much you have grown and changed. It’s important to think about these memories.

As 2024 ends, we look forward to 2025! A new year brings hope and excitement. What will you do next year? You can be even better, continue learning, and create new happy memories.

A group of students viewed from the back, seated and attentively looking at a board at the front of the room, where an activity is being presented.

A student glancing to the side while focused on working on their assignment at their desk.

A teacher writing on a marker board at the front of the classroom, with students seated and attentively watching her.

Headlines

Goodbye Fall!

We’re saying goodbye to outside fall sports like soccer, football and cross country. These activities were exciting, and students showed courage, effort, and teamwork. As the games end, players and fans think about their best memories and look forward to winter sports like basketball. Soccer comes indoors and becomes futsal.

The weather changes from cool to cold, and the beautiful red, yellow, and orange leaves are gone. Snow is coming! We will build snowmen and throw snowballs. After a big snow, it is fun to try ice skating and sledding! Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter!!

A young Black girl in a classroom, wearing a pink jacket, looking directly at the camera, and smiling brightly with her teeth showing.

A young Black girl seated in a classroom, wearing a black jacket, looking directly at the camera, and smiling warmly.

A teacher smiling warmly in a classroom, surrounded by children who are engaged and cheerful.

Spotlight

Baseball Cards

The Baseball Card Project is a fun activity for Ms. Ayat Rizeq’s students at Kalamazoo Central High School. The cards show help students share their unique identity, interests, and goals for the year. Each card includes a picture of the student, important colors and flags, and special information about the student. Like baseball cards show baseball players, these cards highlight students and their stories. The project helps students make friends and feel welcome. Their classroom is decorated with these colourful cards, reminding students to think about their goals and feel proud of who they are. By making these cards, students have fun and learn more about themselves and each other.

A baseball card featuring a Congolese boy, smiling confidently

A baseball card featuring a Mexican girl, smiling confidently

See more here: Baseball Cards

Around Town

Winter Break Activities

Winter break is coming soon. From December 23rd – January 3rd, there will be no school. You can try many local Kalamazoo and Michigan traditions. Baking cookies, drinking hot chocolate, and watching movies are very popular in the winter. Kalamazoo also has events during the month of December, including the very fun Bronson Park Light Show and the Holly Jolly Trolley. The light show includes a candy cane lane and other decorations, and the trolley drives through the Kalamazoo Mall. Check the QR code for more fun events. Enjoy the break!

Visit this link to learn more:

https://www.discoverkalamazoo.com

A festive street lined with large red and white striped Christmas candy canes, creating a whimsical walkway where people stroll on either side, surrounded by holiday decorations and cheerful lights.

Two people walking through a snowy forest, wearing coats—one red and the other gray. Their footprints trail behind them in the fresh snow, surrounded by tall, snow-covered trees in a serene winter landscape.

A nighttime view of Bronson Park's Christmas decorations, featuring a beautifully lit and decorated reindeer surrounded by twinkling holiday lights and festive ornaments, set against a clear ground and dark sky.

Ads and Resources

Holly Jolly Trolley

A front view of the Holly Jolly Trolley, adorned with twinkling fairy lights and festive decorations, as it moves through beautifully decorated streets with holiday ornaments and glowing lights.

Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

Date	Activities
December 11	K-12 half day
December 23–January 3	Winter Break
January 14	K-12 half day
January 17	6-8 half day
January 22	High school conferences, 4-7 p.m.
January 23	6-8 half day; High school conferences, 5-8 p.m.