Good News Tuesday for Nov. 2, 2021: Climate Summit, Students Save Bus Driver, Top 10 CNN Heroes, and a Dog Who Saved Koalas

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

World Leaders Meet for Climate Summit and Promise to End Deforestation

Last year’s world climate summit was cancelled due to covid. Now, over 120 leaders have come together in Glasgow, Scotland to reduce the negative impact of humans on planet Earth. BBC reports that over 100 leaders from around the world, including Brazil, have promised to sign a pledge to end and reverse deforestation by 2030. Read more about the two week COP26 Climate Summit and the deforestation pledge here.

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Two Middle School Students Act Quickly to Save Bus Driver

Conner Doss and Kane Daugherty are two Atlanta middle school students whose quick thinking saved their bus driver. Read more about it here.

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Top 10 CNN Heroes

CNN is in its 15th year of celebrating heroes. On December 12, they’ll be recognizing their top 10 picks for 2021 who each receive $10,000 and announcing who received the most votes for hero of the year. Read more about the top 10 heroes from CNN.

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A Dog Named Bear has been Recognized as a Hero for Saving Koalas

A dog named Bear recently won an award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) for saving 100 koalas from Australia’s bushfires last year. Before being trained to rescue koalas, Bear had been rescued himself from a shelter where his former family gave him up due to behavior issues and his “boundless energy and obsessive enthusiasm for play.” You can read more from the Good News Network and watch the video:

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#WATWB: Schools and Teachers Looking Out For Homebound Students

Happy Anniversary to WATWB -going strong for 3 Years!

“…We hope to share the stories that show kindness, compassion, hope, overcoming challenges and in general, the impressive resilience of the human spirit. For every dark, negative story out there, there is a positive, heartwarming story that will add some light and lift the human spirit.”

Belinda Witzenhausen

 

Before we get to my two stories (I couldn’t just pick one), I want to say thank you to all the people working hard to provide basic needs. Doctors, nurses, first responders, sanitation workers, grocery store workers, and other public servants, thank you for your service and dedication!

While schools are closed, school bus drivers, staff, and  even principals are delivering meals to students who may have depended on school lunch programs. Here’s just one of many examples:   https://youtu.be/xVUrukDo-8Q

 

And here’s a touching story from a reported who calls herself, “Your Neighborhood Hope Dealer” about two teachers who left affirming chalk messages at their students’ homes.

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This month’s #WATWB co-hosts are Sylvia McGrath,
Damyanti Biswas, Shilpa Garg, Dan Antion, and Belinda Witzenhausen.

 

For more positive news stories, visit the WATWB Facebook Page! 

 

 

Gentle Curiosity and Genuine Joy

A parachute set up by students for all to sign

The following is a meditation written and read by a student leader at our local climate strike last Friday. I’m grateful that she let me take a photo of her notes. I offer the last line for One-Liner Wednesday

I ask that we all take a moment to be present in this space. Close your eyes if that’s comfortable. Notice the ground you’re standing on, the feel of your feet on the earth beneath you. Your breath as it travels through your body. The smells in the air…..

Thank you, Mother, for this day.

With each breath, I honor my life and all those that I encounter.

With each inhale, I accept the Mother’s wisdom,

her compassion, her strength, and her kindness.

With each exhale, I release my own ignorance, selfishness, expectations, and apathy.

I commit myself to gentle curiosity and genuine joy.

Noelle Powers

 

“I commit myself to gentle curiosity and genuine joy.”  _Noelle Powers

 

 

One-liner Wednesday is brought to us by Linda Hill. For more information, visit:

https://lindaghill.com/2019/09/25/one-liner-wednesday-phew/

Good News Tuesday: Solo Sailing Record, The Ethical Pub, Elephant Retirement, and Compassionate Students

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

 

Woman Sets Record as Oldest Person to Sail Around the World Solo

Jeanne Socrates, 77, of Great Britain, attempted the trip in 2017 but had to stop because she broke her neck and ribs as reported in this article from Good Morning America

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Most Ethical Pub

The Green Vic of London is setting out to become the world’s most ethical pub. They hire people who are vulnerable: the homeless, people coming out of prison, and veterans. Their menu is 100% plant based, and they donate abundantly.  The video here is a little noisy, so you might want to check out the one on the Green Vic Website:

https://www.betterworld.love/

 

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Elephant Retirement

Denmark bought its country’s last four circus elephants to give them a proper retirement. The country is preparing to ban the use of normally wild animals in circuses.  Here’s the story.

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High School Students Rise to Compassion and Generosity

A high school freshman in Memphis, TN was bullied for wearing the same clothes every day. Then these two classmates gave him some clothes including new shoes. The students’ share their thoughts and feelings in this video.

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It can be global, local, or personal!

Good News Tuesday: Fire Escapes, Helping Wildlife, and Silent Respect

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

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Construction Workers Help People Escape Building

Construction workers in New Mexico were putting on a roof when they heard a man scream in the building next door. They ran over to the burning building and saw a father holding his baby out the window. There was no doubt in Mason Fierro’s mind that he could catch the baby. With encouragement, the father dropped the baby into Mason’s arms and then dropped his other child to Mason. The rest of the construction crew brought ladders over and went banging on doors to get people out. The apartment building was a total loss, but all people are in stable condition. Here’s the story from CNN.

In another CNN story, this young uncle rescues his niece from a house fire.

Catching Wildlife Traffickers

109 countries worked together in a successful sting operation to save animals.

Over the month of June, officials seized 23 live primates, 30 big cats, more than a ton of pangolin scales, 74 truckloads of timber, more than 2,600 plants, and nearly 10,000 marine species.  _ Good News Network

You can read more about “Operation Thunderball” in this article from Good News Network.

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Silent Ovation for Sound Sensitive Student

At the Carmel High School Graduation, students were asked to let one of their classmates, Jack Higgins, receive his diploma first and that they not cheer. Jack is sound sensitive like my grandson, so I appreciate their respect and patience. I don’t recall the students being asked to stand in the instructions. They did that on their own.

 

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Good News Tuesday: Teacher Recognition, Alternative Energy, Welcoming Students, and BEES

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Teacher from Kenya Wins Global Teacher Award

The world is full of hardworking and dedicated teachers who deserve our respect, recognition and support. This story is about one teacher, Franciscan Brother Peter Tabici who was recently awarded the Global Teacher Award in Dubai. He teaches math and physics in a remote area of Kenya where most of his students come from very poor families. His school only has one computer with internet. They have no library, no kitchen, and a shortage of teachers. Brother Tabici donates 80% of his earnings to community projects and plans to use the one million dollar prize to help his school. After losing his mother at age 11, he was raised by his father who is also a teacher. In the following video, the father is invited on stage at the award ceremony.

 

 

You can learn more about Peter from his Global Teacher finalist video, including his starting a peace club which plants trees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Good News for Alternative Energy

This article from The Guardian reports on a study showing that coal production in the US is more expensive than wind or solar.  We are now at a “coal crossover” point.

By 2025 the picture becomes even clearer, with nearly the entire US coal system out-competed on cost by wind and solar, even when factoring in the construction of new wind turbines and solar panels.   (The Guardian)

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Students Welcome New Kid who was Bullied at Former School

This short, sweet video about Azzy – the new kid in school – will make you smile.

 

 

 

 

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Morgan Freeman’s Bee Sanctuary

Morgan Freeman, one of my favorite actors who played God in Bruce Almighty and the US President in Deep Impact, has turned his Mississippi ranch into a bee sanctuary. He imported 26 bee hives from Arkansas and and has planted bee-friendly Magnolia trees and lavender. I didn’t realize that Mr. Freeman is 81 which reminds me it’s never to late for a new project. Read more about the ranch and why it’s so important to save bees  here.

 

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Got Good News? Feel free to share in the comments!

Good News Tuesday: Students Rising Above & Helpers in New Zealand

8 Year Old Refugee Living in a Homeless Shelter wins NY Chess Championship

Eight year old Tanitoluwa Adewumi, who goes by Tani, won the New York state championship for his age level. He started playing chess about a year ago in school. Tani and his parents are refugees from Nigeria and live in a homeless shelter in New York. Both of his parents are now working, and one of Tani’s chess coaches has started a gofundme page to help them get a house.  You can read more about Tani and his family here.

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Students Strike for the Planet

I’m filled with hope by so many young people around the world striking on behalf of the planet this past Friday. The first video is an in depth report from Australia. The second is more of an overview.

16 Year Old Planet Activist Nominated for Nobel Prize

Greta Thunberg, the 16 year old activist from Sweden has inspired thousands of students around the world to strike for the planet, has been nominated for the Nobel Prize. In August of 2018, Greta started the first school strike for climate. In December, she addressed the UN Climate Change Conference. Recently, Greta became the youngest person to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.  Until I watched her Ted Talk, I didn’t know she has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. She is intensely honest. Greta plans to strike from school “every Friday until Sweden is in line with the Paris Agreement.” Personally, she has stopped flying, stopped eating meat and dairy, and she does not buy new things unless it’s absolutely necessary

“The one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere.” __ Greta Thunberg

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Look for the Helpers

The news from Christchurch New Zealand was horrible.  My goal is to remember those 50 people who lost their lives, find a way to honor them, and recognize those who’ve come to help. In my Goodnewsletter this morning, I found 12 stories of hope about the helpers – people who have rallied to help the victims of this tragedy.  Here are a few of those stories:

More than $3.5 million donated in 24 hours to help Christchurch shooting victims

Within hours of the Christchurch mosque attacks, people of various faiths rallied around Muslims

New Zealand will pay for Christchurch victims’ funerals regardless of immigration status
Survivor says ‘hero’ stopped New Zealand massacre by tackling shooter

You can sign up for the Goodnewsletter here.

#GoodNewsTuesday seeds to bring balance to media – One Tuesday at a time.

Got good news? Please share in the comments!

 

Good News Tuesday: Support for The Tree of Life Synagogue, Signing Students, and a 94 Year Old Wise Guy

Muslim groups raise over $125,000 to help Pittsburgh synagogue victims

People of many faiths are helping the victims and families of The Tree of Life synagogue where a shooting took the lives of 11 people in Pittsburgh Saturday. It gives me hope to know that among the helpers are two Muslim-American non-profits who have exceeded their fundraising  goal in the campaign, “Muslims Unite For Pittsburgh Synagogue.”

Below are two links for the story. The first is from nbcnews.com and the second is an earlier story from The Times of Israel.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/muslim-americans-raise-more-120-000-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-survivors-n925796

 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-muslims-raise-over-100000-for-synagogue-victims/

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Kindergarten Class Signs Happy Birthday to Custodian Who is Deaf:

Watch how this beloved custodian reacts to kindergarten students signing the Happy Birthday lyrics especially for him.  Happy Birthday, Mr. James!

 

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94 Year Old Veteran Greets Students with Wisdom and Fist Bumps

Wally Richardson meets middle school students every morning with positive wisdom and encouragement. I love his motivational call/response technique. Take a look!

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Good News Tuesday seeks to bring some balance to media, one Tuesday at a time.

 Feel free to share, YOUR good news in the comments!

A High School Teacher Faces The Day After

This isn’t exactly a NEWS story but it’s a story full of goodness and hope. I found it as public Facebook post belonging to a high school teacher who I do not know personally.  I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing it here. (It had over 13, 000 fb shares.) Her story made me cry in the best way.

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“Today was really hard for me. Today was the first time I had to teach the day after a mass school shooting. I dreaded facing my students this morning, and as the first students walked in, I began to feel the anxiety pooling in my stomach. I was dreading one, specific question. Soon after class began, a freshman asked me the question I had been dreading since I had heard about the tragedy in Florida.

“Mrs. Schimmoeller,” she asked. “What will we do if a shooter comes in your room?”

My stomach sank. I launched into my pre-planned speech about our plan of action. Then, I knew I had to say the harder part: “I want you to know that I care deeply about each and every one of you and that I will do everything I can to protect you. But – being in a wheelchair, I will not be able to protect you the way an able-bodied teacher will. And if there is a chance for you to escape, I want you to go. Do not worry about me. Your safety is my number one priority.”

Slowly, quietly, as the words I had said sunk in, another student raised their hand. She said, “Mrs. Schimmoeller, we already talked about it. If anything happens, we are going to carry you.”

I lost it. With tears in my eyes as I type this, I want my friends and family to know that I understand that it is hard to find the good in the world, especially after a tragedy like the one that we have watched unfold, but there is good. True goodness. It was found in the hearts of my students today.”

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Got good news? Please feel free to share!

Back in First Grade

I recently started volunteering at an elementary school one day a week helping first graders with reading and writing. My job is to invite one student at a time to a back table where we read a book together, or I help them with a worksheet.

Three days after my first visit, I came down with a bad summer cold and had to miss the second week. (This happened after saying to myself, “I never get sick.”) So, I stocked up on vitamin C, echinacea and zinc, and I’m making a renewed effort in my goal to get more sleep.

Yesterday, I helped the first graders write stories using the prompts, Who, What, Where, When, and Why with the theme of what they like to do for fun. One student said she liked to go to “Jungle Rabbits.” I had to smile, because I remembered my daughter, many years ago calling the water slide park “Jungle Rabbits” when it’s official name is Jungle Rapids. The word, rapids, makes no sense to first graders, but rabbits do. It doesn’t matter that there are no rabbits there. When I said, “I think it’s called, Jungle Rapids, she insisted it was Jungle Rabbits, so I joined the journey and helped her spell rabbits. The next student who said he liked to go to Jungle Rabbits, got no argument from me. Jungle Rabbits it is!

But my favorite experience, so far, was when it was almost time for recess. Two boys in the back of the room started getting on each other’s nerves. I re-directed them to their work and wondered it I was going to need to get the busy teacher’s attention. A third boy came to one of them with a letter he had written. It said simply,  “I love you,” followed by the author’s name. Then the letter writer went back to his desk and wrote another letter, and brought it to the other boy. It said the same thing. “I love you.”

“Isn’t that nice?” I said.

The restless boys didn’t say anything. They didn’t quite know what to make of the letters. But they were distracted from their irritations and settled down long enough to make it to recess without any problems. There’s just something about a hand-printed letter.

I think I’m going to like first grade a lot better this time around.

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(The images are from Pixabay)