Wellness Week: Building the Foundation to Prevent Drug/Alcohol Abuse

Wellness Week is coming to a close! Tomorrow is Spirit Day - so wear school colors to show you are proud of yourself and your school. You can find the October 2009 Counselor Newsletter by clicking this link (it will be listed in the documents).

I hope you enjoy the pencil and biodot stress cards that are coming home today in Mail from the Trail! They seem to be a big hit with kids and adults because we can SEE how we are feeling. So often we say/think we are fine when we really aren't. Focusing on our overall wellness is so important - when that is in place, we have the tools we need to say no to hurtful things such as drugs, alcohol and abusive relationships. Tomorrow, the kids will be decorating their doors or classrooms with Wellness Themes:

Kindergarten - Red Hearts for Physical Wellness: "What is something you do to be healthy?"

1st & 2nd Grade - Green Trees for Social Wellness: "What has someone done to help you? Or what have you done to help another person?"

3rd Grade - Yellow Stars for Emotional Wellness: "What is something you have done that you felt proud about?"

4th Grade - Sky Blue Moons for Spiritual Wellness/Future Dreams: "What is your dream job after you finish high school and college?"

5th Grade - Blue Graduation Hats for Intellectual/Mental Wellness: "What have you done to show people you are smart/good problem solver?"

Happy Wellness Week!

Free Puppet Show + Healthy & Safety = FUN!

It is Wellness Week at Hightower Trail - and I am thrilled to share the following opportunity with you. Safety, health and living a wonderful life are what we focus on during Wellness Week and this goes right along with that theme. If you haven't been the to the Center for Puppetry Arts - this is a great chance! Their productions are simply amazing.


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An Original Puppet Show
by the Center for Puppetry Arts
Friday, Nov 13, 2009
lst performance: 3:30 p.m.
2nd performance: 5:30 p.m.
First come, first served seating
Admission: FREE

Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center
3181 Rainbow Drive
Decatur, GA 30034

Call (404) 294-3700 to reserve special seating
for your after school or day care program.

When alien visitors land on planet Earth, they have fun sharing information with Earth children on ways to prevent the spread of viruses like novel H1N1 flu, as well as other healthy living tips. Get ready to laugh and be entertained.

You don’t want to miss this FREE puppet show for ages
2 to 10 years old.

* Free novel H1N1 vaccinations will be provided at the event along with other
health education and literacy materials. An administrative fee may be charged to Medicare, Medicaid and all third party insurance. Please bring your card with you.


Presented by CEO Burrell Ellis, DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, Center for Puppetry Arts, DeKalb County School System, The Humana Foundation and DeKalb County Public Library in collaboration with the DeKalb County Board of Health.

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Free GED Class in Conyers - New Session Starts Soon

GED Preparation offered by Dekalb Technical College

Location: Rockdale Career Academy
1064 Culpepper Drive
Conyers, Georgia 3004

Information: (404)297-9522 ext. 3220
(this will list all of the information and dates to register)

The next registration session is November 2nd and 3rd, 2009, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Basketball Loving Kids - Look Here!

Converse Open Gym provides young ballers the opportunity to show off their skills in a safe environment at a state-of-the-art facility. This is absolutely free and each participant receives a reversible jersey, ID card, posters and other special giveaways.

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center
750 Ferst Street, Atlanta 30332

Two sessions: 10’clock to noon and noon to two o’clock for ages 11 to 14. Then 2 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. for ages 15 to 18. Registration begins 30 minutes before each session. Come early. Call Matt at 770-885-9844 to find out about waivers and registration or visit

Help for Renters of Homes in Foreclosure

A new federal law called “The Tenants in Foreclosure Act” can help. The Act protects tenants who are renting property that changes ownership through a foreclosure sale. In the past, a new owner could evict existing tenants within weeks. The Tenants in Foreclosure Act now requires the new owner to honor existing leases unless the new owner will use the property as a residence.

For example, if a tenant has 10 months left on a lease the new owner may have to honor all 10 months. However, if the new owner plans to live in the property the tenant must have 90 days notice to vacate the property.

Lawyers at several non-profit law offices want people to be aware of their rights so they can protect themselves and their families. If you have any questions please feel free to contact:

The Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation: (404) 521-0790

Atlanta Legal Aid Society: (404) 521-0777

Georgia Law Center for the Homeless: (404) 681-0680.

There is more information about this posted on the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation at avlf.org.