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1. Chicken
Out:
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Hens can be peckish, even brutal! When I
was very young (today we would call me a preschooler),
some of our chickens ganged up on one of the pullets.
They just about pecked her to death and pulled out a lot
of her feathers. Papa rescued her and put her in a
small pen by herself to recover. She became my pet.
2. Chicken
Little:
Kids in the schoolyard can be the same way.
We concern ourselves with bullies; but consider this.
Kids will for whatever reason gang up on a schoolmate.
Even kids we think of as kindly may join in out of a need
to "belong". "Kids can be cruel".
In my best of all possible worlds, a brave youth with
adequate self-confidence will intervene (non-violently, of
course). It could be as simple as
saying, “Hey, leave Jacob alone! He’s
a good friend. Have you forgotten how
he helps us with our math problems?”
3. Chicken
Big:
Before decrying this "animal" behavior
too much, let us consider that we adults also have a
weakness for "backbiting" and backstabbing;
gossiping at best; displaying jealousy and hypocrisy, at
worst. Sometimes we adults, like chameleons (or
young children), might try to blend in by agreeing or
saying nothing.
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4.
Fowl
Ball:
Whether
we intend it or not, we are role models. Children,
"Little Pitchers", hear and absorb everything we
say and do. They have "big ears". In
our efforts to encourage positive character development,
we need to remember that they are most likely to pay close
attention to what we do and say.
Another
saying we have is that we are teaching at all times,
whether it is a prepared lesson or an incidental act.
Being aware of our own conduct is a mighty force in our
objective of inspiring responsible behavior in our
children. Do we treat them and others the way we
want to be treated?
When
we have an opportunity to help another, do we do it
willingly and lovingly? Or grudgingly, complaining
behind the person's back? Are we smiling and
friendly in someone's presence only to talk about them
when they leave? Do we constantly find fault with
other's efforts or do we give them credit and
encouragement?
Do
we sometimes feel better about ourselves if we run someone
else down? Is an impressionable,
admiring someone listening and taking it all in?
With
our best efforts, I remind myself, these children will one
day be grown folk. How do we want them to treat us
when they are adults? Do we want them to be
backbiting or loving? Fault finding or kind?
5.
Chicken Feed, Not!
The
school budget, having been defeated, is now in the hands
of the municipal governing bodies. They are
interested in hearing from their constituents.
Being an educator, and aware of the importance of our
investment in our children’s education, you might well
guess that I strongly support the efforts of our School
Board and our new Superintendent of Schools to provide
and improve
the education offered students, as economically as possible.
I am constantly frustrated
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(cont.)
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that cuts always seem to come to our
children’s programs first; a place I fervently feel should be the
last place we skimp. As the saying goes, “Pay me now or pay
me later.” I would as soon take an axe to my foot as to the
school budget. Either way, I may not have a leg to stand on in
the future. We hurt ourselves in the long run.
Unfortunately, we do not have the privilege of voting on other
budgets; so many take their taxation-frustration out on the school
budget. Alas.
Hopefully,
someday soon we will realize the promise of reforming our form of
taxation in this state, beginning with fixing a system that somehow
seems to encourage fraud and corruption.
6.
Chick-a-Dee!
Our
own Ana Grisales, Group Teacher for our Super Dooper
classroom, is a proud Mom Her daughter, Nicole
Acevedo, has been selected as Student of the Month at Walter C.
Black Kindergarten. Nicole is a graduate of Better
Beginnings’ preschool, presently enrolled in our Heart Friends
After-K program. We are all very proud, especially since
she is described as courteous, cheerful, a willing worker,
participating eagerly in all subjects, is helpful, and has great
ideas. She read a book cover to cover, which is especially
impressive since she read it in her second language.
(Sound of buttons popping)
7.
Something to Crow About:
Our
generous donors and contributors support our program in many ways.
Wal-Mart contributed $1,000 each to local non-profits, including
Better Beginnings. Ondina and Wilfred faithfully made their
“regular” monthly contribution. We also received many
items of value including used but useful computers, school supplies,
monitors, printers, scanner and CD Rom Drive, children’s books,
snacks, stationery, cookie basket, dolls, games toys, puzzles and
cereal from our friends, Walter Combs, “Mr. Jonathan” Craig,
Marsha Weinstein, Deborah Valentino, East Windsor Senior Center, The
Gasman Family, Dave Teich, PNC Bank, and Marta Lehrer. We are
grateful for the support and encouragement.
8.
Henny Penny.
Penny
Pincher suggests: Make a sun catcher by cutting out a shape of
choice, such as a heart or a tree, from a piece of junk mail or
construction paper. Use a hole punch or other device to make
holes all the way around. Glue colored tissue paper to cover
the holes you punched. Hang in window for a lovely
stained-glass-like decoration. Naturally the Pincher hopes that you
will be re-using perfectly good tissue paper saved from prior
gift-giving occasions.
9.
Two Cents Wordth:
If
you stopped by Better Beginnings’ Yard Sale, whether to buy
something, or just to say “Hi and Bye!” we thank you.
10.
Foul or Fair?
Simon
said to the Pieman, Have you been to the fair? The Pieman,
said, “Yes, and it was fair, but not great. Simon
said, “That’s simply not a fair thing to say! They worked
hard and it was a terrific event!“ |