As I reflect on the past year, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunities that helped me grow, learn, and become a better person and principal. While 2024 brought its share of challenges, I’m choosing to carry forward the lessons learned
and the positive memories that shaped me.
I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work you do every day to support your staff, students, and families. Even when the demands of leadership feel exhausting, YOU continue to inspire, motivate, and make a lasting difference. If no one has
reminded you lately, let me be the one to say it: YOU are phenomenal. YOU are a game changer. YOU are transforming lives.
According to Dr. Tina Boogren, a Solution Tree’s research expert, educators are now entering the season of “Finding Balance” – a time to focus on recalibration and renewal over the next 9–10 weeks. With this in mind,
this quarter’s “School Celebration Newsletter” is packed with simple, actionable ideas to celebrate your staff while also prioritizing your wellness during this pivotal season. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury –
it’s a necessity for sustaining the incredible work you do.
As we navigate the mid-year stretch of the 2024–2025 school year, please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can support you in any way or simply be a listening ear. Cheers to 2025 and the fantastic journey of “Principaling.”
Peace and love,
Cindy
Educator Wellness "The Season of Finding Balance"
As the school year progresses, educators often transition out of the "Disillusionment Phase" into a more relaxed and rewarding time. Hopefully, winter break gave you the chance to recharge and reconnect with loved ones. This
is the season when student growth feels truly magical—your hard work is paying off! Over the next 9–10 weeks, it’s essential to prioritize finding balance between your personal and professional life.
Dr. Tina H. Boogren offers a wealth of self-care ideas in her book 180 Days of Self-Care for Busy Educators. One strategy is to tap into your creative side by making something with your hands—whether it’s
woodworking, baking, or sewing. Engage all your senses and enjoy the process of creating. She also encourages planning guilt-free treats for yourself, like ordering dessert first, lighting candles, taking a long nap, indulging
in a spa treatment, or simply lounging in your favorite fuzzy socks. These moments of joy don’t need to be expensive—just intentional. Another suggestion to support your mental well-being during these winter
months is to make time to play. What brings you joy? Whether it’s a snowy walk, a cozy campfire with s’mores, reading a good book, daydreaming about your next vacation, or writing in a journal, carve out time
for it.
I hope you’ll prioritize these practices by putting a few of them on your calendar—not just your to-do list. Remember, I’m cheering you on during this season and can’t wait to hear how you’re taking
care of yourself!
A Few of Cindy’s Favorites
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Jan 8
National Bubble Day | Feb 24
National Tortilla Chip Day | Mar 31
National Crayon Day |
January Days to Celebrate
Jan 8 | National Bubble Day | National Bubble Day- No baths at school but you could have a blast with bubbles. Bubble machines or bubbles to greet students
and staff or have a recess time bubble party. (I am having visions of Laurence Welk in my head--yes I am that old).
Jan 13 | National Rubber Ducky Day | Purchase a variety of rubber duckies
and place a number on the bottom of each. The number will correlate to a gift box full of simple and inexpensive prizes or you could choose to celebrate National Sticker Day-Put positive stickers around the school to celebrate this fun day.
Jan 15 | National Bagel Day & National Hat Day |
Ask your PTO to provide breakfast for staff with the main item being a bagel with a selection of all of the various toppings. AND for Hat Day allow students and staff to wear their favorite head covering today.
Jan 20 | National DJ Day | Play music throughout today in celebration. I love using my Jammie Pack to play music!! We know that music
has the power to lift everyone’s spirit. Shout out to Allyson Apsey who introduced me to the pack. It is a true game changer!!
Jan 21 | Squirrel Appreciate Day | Trail mix with nuts for ALL or hide
paper squirrels all over campus and ask staff to list the many places they see them. Winners can be entered into a drawing for each one they choose.
Jan 24 | National Compliment Day | Provide staff members with a notecard to write a compliment on for co-worker or school volunteer. Connect with families
by also sending out appreciations post-cards for their never ending support of the school (Don't forget your PTO). And it is also National Peanut Butter Day so pick up some individual packets of peanut butter and provide staff with various items
to dip. This could include: bananas, apples, celery, crackers, chocolate and anything else you can think of!!
Jan 24 | National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day | Oh my, this should be so much fun!! Wrap a special treat in bubble wrap for staff. Or create a stress relief kit with bubble wrap and a few other items (ibuprofen,
gift card for class coverage/recess duty, stress balls, breathe mints, etc).
Jan 28
| Kazoo Day | Visit
Amazon, Oriental Trade or a local party store. Pick up a few of these to celebrate. Morning announcements with a Kazoo introduction will be unforgettable.
Jan 29 | Puzzle Day | Place a few puzzles in your staff room for staff to work on during lunch or breaks or provide a cookie that is in the shape of a puzzle with a note "You are a part of the puzzle
that keeps our school striving for excellence."
Jan 31 | National Hot Chocolate Day | Easy one!
February Days to Celebrate
Feb 3 | National Carrot Cake Day | Instead of cake slices for everyone look for carrot cake cupcakes. With February being such a sweet tooth
of a month the added veggies will help with a more balanced diet for everyone
Feb 4 | Homemade Soup Day | In appreciation of Super Bowl Week have a Souper Potluck Day! Ask staff to bring their favorite soup to share today.
Feb 6 | National Chopstick Day | “Chopping Through the School Year Together”.
Feb 7 | Bubble Gum Day | Pass out “Extra” brand of gum with a note “Thank you for going the EXTRA mile for our students. Happy
Bubble Gum Day.” Feb 7 is ALSO….. National Send a Card to a Friend Day (and my daughter Kenzington's Birthday)-Hand written notes seem to be become a lost art. Take a couple minutes today to encourage all staff to send a note of encouragement
and appreciation to someone they care about. Provide staff with a notecard and a stamp for the finishing touch.
Feb 14 | Valentine's Day | Plan ahead if you are giving out staff Valentine's Cards.
Feb 20 | National Love Your Pet Day | Staff share a picture of their pet and students can guess which pet belongs to which staff member.
Feb 21 | National Sticky Bun Day | Little Debbie will be your best friend today. Go to any grocery store and pick up a few of these cheap and
unhealthy snacks to share.
Feb 24 | National Tortilla Chip Day | It may not be Taco Tuesday but this is a fabulous day to take around your treat cart with a variety of chips for staff
to choose from for an afternoon snack.
Feb 27 | National Strawberry Day | Strawberry soda floats, strawberry snacks, or strawberry seeds for staff to plant.
March Days to Celebrate
March 6 | National Oreo Cookie Day | The easiest one of the month!! Run to your neighborhood grocery store and purchase various flavors of Oreos. Leave them
in the staff room for a snack. Play "minute to win it Oreo style" at lunch time with students by having students tilt their head back and place 1 Oreo on it. They have one minute to get the cookie into their mouth and eat it with hands behind their
backs.
March 10 | National Pack Your Lunch Day | Turn your staff room or another place staff eat into a fun "restaurant" like atmosphere by using table clothes,
fake candles, music, place settings, real utensils, cloth napkins, and fresh flowers.
March 12 | National Girl Scout Day| A buffet of Girl Scout cookies provided for a morning pick me up. Have the coffee warm and available for staff to enjoy
as they nibble.
March 14 | National Pi Day | Treat everyone to an individual pie. March 14 is also National Potato Chip Day. This is ridiculously
easy by going to your neighborhood store and picking up a variety pack of chips AND it is also “National Write Down Your Story Day”—what if you asked staff to write about a success they have had this month that will make
a difference in someone else’s life? Stories could be shared in the staff room or use on your schools social media account.
March 17 | St. Patrick's Day | Here is a fun idea. Go to the website: Just Candy and order the collection of green only candy. Put the green candy
in glass jars to pretty them up (can be purchased at the dollar tree). Other ideas include guess how many pieces of candy are in the jar or how many ounces the corned beef weighs. (Purchase a couple and combine the weight-closest guesses wins the
corned beef)
March 19 | National Let's Laugh Day | A day of "dad" jokes, riddles, and my favorite knock, knock jokes. Share a few fun videos as part of your morning connection
to start off the day with a few laughs. A side note: the most popular type of video that makes almost adults smile is a video of a baby laughing--try it.
March 21 | National French Bread Day | Help staff figure out what they will have as part of their dinner tonight by purchasing a loaf of French Bread for
everyone.
March 24 | National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day | Easy one to take care of!
March 28
| National Something on a Stick Day
| Cake
Pops in the afternoon to help everyone get through this Friday afternoon.
March 31 | National Crayon Day | On this very special day purchase a few adult stress relieving coloring books. (There are some great ones on line—make sure you are careful when ordering these—there
are a few inappropriate ones available for purchase) Place the books and crayons in the staff room for staff to color and have a coloring competition. Students can vote on their favorite for a winner.
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Cindy Sholtys-Cromwell |
Principal, Kelso Virtual Academy (K-12)
Kelso School District |
Cindy has been a school administrator for 24 years. She is currently the principal of Kelso Virtual Academy within the Kelso School District in Kelso, Washington. Cindy has been recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals as
the 2021 National Digital Principal of the Year and received the 2024 Annalee Braley Membership Award from the Association of Washington School Principals. In addition, she is a Solution Tree Associate in Self-Care for Educators. Cindy has two children
and has been married to her husband, Leszek, for 25 years. Feel free to reach out to Cindy for ideas, support, or to share your insights. Find me @sholtys on X or email me.