National Chocolate Day (October 28)

The Story of Chocolate
Source: National Confectioners Association
October 28, 2019
The treat that now lies quietly in its wrapper carries a story of exotic places, long journeys and small families that raise delicate tropical fruit trees. As you peel back the wrapper, you’re uncovering the cacao tree’s seed—and joining people the world over who have turned to this mysterious food for ritual, medicine and sheer pleasure for the past 4,000 years.

How do the beans in chocolate farmers’ hands become decadent sweets in yours? Let’s explore how chocolate is made…the story of chocolate.

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National Save For Retirement Week (Oct 18-24)

National Save for Retirement Week is a national effort to raise public awareness about the importance of saving for retirement. National Save for Retirement Week is held every year during the third week of October. The week provides an opportunity for employees to reflect on their personal retirement goals and determine if they are on target to reach those goals.

National Save for Retirement Week commenced in 2006, when Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) introduced the first resolution establishing National Save for Retirement Week. Their goals were to elevate public knowledge about retirement savings and to encourage employees to save and participate in their employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Over the years, ICMA-RC has partnered with the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators to ensure that the week is a great success. ICMA-RC and NAGDCA remain committed to educating employers and employees about the growing importance of saving for retirement.

To learn more and become involved, click HERE

National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day (Oct 11)

Source: KIWI Magazine

Washington, D.C. - October 10, 2017 (The Stuff Gazette) -- On October 11, 2017, parents across the country will join their children in the cafeteria to learn about what goes into serving healthy lunches during KIWI's National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day.

The program, which is cosponsored by the School Nutrition Association (SNA), Whole Kids Foundation, and Moms Meet, takes place during National School Lunch Week. The event serves as a way to open the lines of communication between school administrators and parents regarding healthy lunches. Participating schools have the opportunity to showcase menus and provide parents with more information about school meals, gardens, and other initiatives related to healthy eating.

To raise awareness for the event, KIWI will be hosting a Twitter party on October 10, 2017 at 1 p.m. EST. Better-for-you brands like SunButter, Mrs. Thinster's, a2 Milk, and Perfect Bar will be joining the event to promote the importance of healthy lunch. Attendees will have a chance to win prizes from participating sponsors. To learn more, visit kiwimagonline.com/2017-Lunch-Day-Twitter-Party.

National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 9th through the 13th)

Source: Georgia Power

Atlanta, GA - October 10, 2017 (The Stuff Gazette) -- Oct. 9th through the 13th is National Fire Prevention Week – a time to spotlight ways to prevent in-home fires and develop an escape plan should a fire occur. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, in-home electrical issues are the third leading cause of home fires nationwide, with more than 50,000 fires attributed to electrical issues each year.

Georgia Power offers the following electrical safety tips during National Fire Prevention Week and year-round:

Focus on Fire Prevention – Avoid storing combustibles such as paint, cardboard, sawdust and flammable liquids near electrical equipment or fuse boxes.

Overloads – Overloaded equipment and circuits can cause insulation to burn, create sparks and leave exposed wires. Don't overload electrical equipment by attempting to do heavier jobs than the equipment can handle.

Check out Georgia Power's new public service announcement, available in both English and Spanish, highlighting the common electrical dangers customers face in their homes.

Repair Equipment – Shut off all electrical equipment that produces odd sounds, odd smells or sparks and have it checked by a qualified technician. Tag and remove hard-wired equipment from service so that it cannot be accidentally energized while it is being repaired or replaced.

Extinguishers - Know where the nearest fire extinguishers are and how to use them. Only Class C extinguishers are safe to use on energized electrical equipment.

Safety is a core value for Georgia Power with the company's signature community electrical safety program, PowerTOWN, marking its 25th anniversary this year. The safety education program, which has engaged nearly 4.6 million participants in presentations statewide, uses a model to demonstrate real-life safety scenarios, involving electricity, such as downed powerlines and more.

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction.

October is National Principals Month

Congresswoman Susan Davis Introduces Resolution Honoring School Principals

U.S. Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced a House Resolution to honor and recognize the critical role that school principals play in education. Davis’s resolution designates October 2015 as National Principals Month.

“Leadership is one of the most essential elements for success in life – no less so in education,” said Rep. Davis, a senior member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. “Elementary, middle level and high school principals have consistently provided the vision, dedication, and mobilizing force behind successful school reform efforts. It is important that we take the time to appreciate and reflect on the skills, professionalism and dedication our principals bring to their profession.”

Principals set the academic tone for their schools and work collaboratively with teachers to develop and set performance goals and objectives, all in an effort to improve student achievement. Research by the Wallace Foundation has confirmed that school leadership is second only to classroom instruction in its impact on student learning.

In pursuit of educational excellence, today’s principals are expected to fill a large variety of roles, each complex in its own right, including: educational visionaries, instructional leaders, assessment experts, community builders, public relations experts, budget analysts, facility managers, special programs administrators, and guardians of various legal, contractual, and policy mandates and initiatives.

This is the seventh straight year Davis has introduced her National Principals Month resolution and continues her efforts in the area of school leadership. Davis recently introduced legislation to help schools create programs to find the best and brightest individuals to be principals of their schools. Her School Principal Recruitment and Training Act would provide competitive grants for the recruitment and training of high-caliber aspiring principals. Current principals could receive training to lead high-need schools.

The House passed Davis’s National Principals Month resolution in 2009 and 2010.

In addition to the national resolutions in the House and Senate, see which states have issued official proclamations declaring October as National Principals Month by clicking HERE