FIRST WORD
The Reason for the Season
Lindsay VanAsdalan
Editor LVanAsdalan@
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info@thefamilymagazine.com With November comes a traditional family holiday:
Thanksgiving. As we prepare our tables for a feast, we
reflect on the meaning of the season. First, it’s a time
of gratitude for family—whether by blood or chosen
family. Celebrate those connections together through
a DIY family tree craft (pg. 11).

In the spirit of gratitude, we think of needs beyond
our own, as did Sondra Harnes, founder and artis-
tic director of World Children’s Choir. Staff writer
Heather M. Ross shares her story of compassion and
charity in gathering recorded performances from all
over the world for a virtual Ukraine benefit concert by
her DMV-based organization on Nov. 5. (pg. 12)
We also appreciate and give thanks for where we
came from. November is Native American Heritage
Month, which recognizes the Indigenous peoples
who still call the United States their home. Arlington
Public Libraries shares fun and educational reads
about Indigenous culture that families can read to
celebrate.(pg. 31).

In this issue, we are also highlighting our pre-K
learners. Ross, with contibuted reporting from Gianna
Gronowski, creates a fun, historic field trip idea for
families of children in this age group. Using their imag-
inations, they can picture what it was like to attend
the Kingsley Schoolhouse and other one-room school-
houses in Montgomery County (pg 23).

For National Adoption Month, contributing writer
Gina Gallucci-White explores a non-traditional option
you might not be aware of (pg. 15) and for Children’s
Grief Awareness Day on Nov. 17, contributing writer
Emily Rose Barr highlights a local musician’s use of song
to help teens through trauma (pg. 21) —a difficult topic
for parents to navigate.

Contributing writer Megan Conway broaches
another difficult topic—conversations with children
about abuse (pg 18). Hard moments such as these can
serve to remind us how grateful we are for what we
have. This season, help lighten the load for others by
spreading compassion and generosity.

In gratitude,
Hands-on academics. Personal growth. Ready for exploration.

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