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BETTER BEGINNINGS
PENNY PATTER
September 30, 2003
|
The Mayors' Shining Star Gala,
originally planned for October, has been rescheduled. It will now be held
on April 25, 2004, still a Sunday, still at the Ramada, still honoring
those who have made a difference in our community. Further information as
we near the April date will be forthcoming.
If you are, however, absolutely determined to celebrate Better Beginnings' 36th anniversary in 2003…. If you are resolute in your desire to make sure Better Beginnings has enough funds to continue services to community, families and children continue, we have several offerings: 1) Send in a contribution, in an amount that would cover the cost of the dinner, a new outfit, and other costs. We will have a non-event and list you as not ing been there. Harry Bellefonte will not sing. Bruce Springsteen will not perform. |
havHomer Justice will not recite Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Elvis impersonators will not vie for the "I am the King" title. Food will not be served. Deadline to appear on the Non-Event List is December 15, no extensions. After all, we have to figure out how much food not to serve. There will be at least one door prize. Not a real door, of course. Rather, our creative crew will decorate your door for the holiday of your choice. For another few dollars, of course, we will agree NOT to decorate your door. There will also be a drawing. In fact, there will be several drawings: eye-catching artistic drawings by our beautiful children. In fact, all who send in a contribution by December 15, are absolutely guaranteed to receive a drawing by one of our talented young learners. |
|
2. Visit
our booths at the celebration of Hightstown's 150th Anniversary on
October 11 (Rain date October 12). You can fish for ducks (and prizes),
gather info, or contribute to our huge penny jar.
3. Dine at our Spaghetti Dinner on November 8. Our good friends at Macaroni Grill are donating the food and you know how GOOD that is. It is at Better Beginnings from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Adults $6, Children $2. Wow - whatta bargain! Yes, it IS a Friday, |
and Yes, you can take it with you.
4. Consider
sending "the gift that keeps on giving" by making a
contribution to Better Beginnings in the name of your recipient.
A certificate will be sent to your gifted one, and another to you.
Your names will also be written in our Book of Honors. In all cases, we thank you for
investing in the present, and believing in the future. |
| Can you believe it! Thanks to Sunny Young Deli, “Mr. Jonathan” Craig, and to the Autumn Club, our copper coin collection has actually exceeded the million and half mark: 1,501,876, to be precise. | Thank you everyone who have proved again and again that little things mean a lot, and have a way of adding up. Please, pleads Penny Saved and her twin, Penny Earned, keep those coins coming! |
| believes in being frugal about all things, little and big. Thanks to “Mrs. Cecilia” CampoVerde for this tip: Oatmeal boxes can become many things. For example, They can be cut out to make a dandy doll cradle, or decorated to make a great windsock or a drum. With | cooling weather, hot oatmeal sounds good. We hope to soon have more of these on hand. Do you have any more ideas for the Pincher? “Mrs. Cecilia” is Co-Director of Education and Bilingual Coordinator at Better Beginnings. |
| to our friend, "Mr. Jonathan Craig" on his birthday! And to Bernard and Shirley Wright who brought this wonderful milestone to our attention by making a contribution in his honor. His name and | theirs haVE now been added to our Book of Honor, and adds to our fledgling endowment fund for a "gift that keeps on giving." |
| They collected many supplies including crayons, construction paper, glue, tape, and scissors. Delivered by "Miss Monique", this will help us eke out our limited budget, so that we do not have | to ask our families to purchase supplies from their own limited funds. In fact, we have enough to share with our school-age children to help them with their school supply lists. |
| A.Nonymous who donated five computers; to VFW Post who donated six cases of fruit juice; to Karen McGuinness who also donated snacks and other items, to J. Rosen who dated many, many children's books; “Mr. Jonathan” Craig who brought playdough, book bags, books, and more; to Luis Cochancela for week’s worth of cereal, to Robyn & Rich who brought toys and books, to Loida Wilson who donated a printer and more, to Jamie & Taylor |
Cohen who donated two large bags of
gifts, and to dear friend Delores Murphy whose bags of goodies included ever
popular bubbles for all the children, wetwipes, food stuffs of several kinds,
frames, magazines, craft items, and to Dr. David Goldstein who donated many
household items. Our digital inclusion project benefits, our literacy project
benefits, our nutrition program benefits, and so do our families and children. Thank you, good friends. |
| If you would like to offer a suggestion, make an inquiry or comment, make a donation or contribution, volunteer, please call 609-448-6226, write to me at bewith@mail2peace.com, | or PO Box 187, Hightstown NJ 08520. If you would like to know more about Better Beginnings, please visit our website at www.princetonol.com. Click on Community and then Better Beginnings. |
September 23, 2003
|
Some years ago, the (then) Head Teacher at Better Beginnings announced that she
was leaving. Upon hearing of this, one of the children came into the office.
With a worried frown, and in a tiny quivering voice, she asked the Head Teacher,
"B-but who's going to be the officer when you leave?"
The child logically assumed that someone who worked in an office was surely an officer. We were so charmed by this that we could have missed the child's real concern. |
The child was saying, in the between-the-lines fashion of many children, "If you leave, there will be one less person to love me and watch out for me. " It reminded us to reassure the children that there are many of us here who love them, who will look after them, watch over them and who care about them, their health, their safety, and their future. We routinely do just that, beginning with their family, their extended family and their devoted classroom staff, all the "officers", and more. |
|
Children everywhere take things personally. They are fearful of what will
happen to them if something happens to their primary caretaker. After
9/11, they wondered, "Will a plane fly into our house?"
"What will happen to me if my Dad (or Mom) is killed?" We need
to reassure them that they are loved in depth. They take comfort when you
show them your safety measures. Still, above all, name the people who love
them and who would care for them in an emergency. "See how many
people there are who care for you! There is Grandmom, and Grandpop, and
Aunt Susie, Cousin Pete, Neighbor Marie and Teacher "Miss Joan".
After the bombing in Oklahoma, which included a day care center, the very first thing we did the next morning was to take the children on a short walk. We visited the Hightstown Police Department and the Fire Department so that the young learners could see and experience first hand that our Safe-keepers were nearby to prevent such a happening here. We didn’t |
announce our visit to the HPD. We just wanted to take a walk to show the
children how close it.
However, the Police quickly surmised our purpose and gave generously and spontaneously of their time and seemed to enjoy providing just the reassurance the children needed. The FD volunteers are just as enthusiastic in demonstrating prevention and safety techniques. After the horror in Columbine, our school-age children wanted to know what was being done in our schools to protect them. Chief Spain and Lieutenant Brady of the East Windsor Police Department made a special trip to talk to them and reassure them. They told them what they had said to their own children. The students in the after-school group felt much better and safer, particularly as the (real) officers had wisely empowered them by giving them tasks that they could do to help insure their own safety. |
|
On September 11, 2003, I watched with sorrow and amazement as the
children, two by two, recited names of the fallen, including their own
loved ones. (In reality, I only watched through the "C's"; that
was as far as I got before my sobbing got out of hand.) I did hear the
young man read the beautiful poem he had written about the stars watching
over him when he cried and cried and cried.
I thought how incredible it was for these 200 children to be so confident and so willing to undertake this, to endeavor to read all those names and share their emotions. Let me tell you that I know some grown ups, mature adults, who quake at the thought of getting up and reading names in front of a small |
audience. Impressive indeed, then, that these young people willingly did this
before a huge audience and TV cameras.
Somehow, with guidance I'm sure, these grieving young people have surmounted a terrible tragedy and they are healing. Someone has done a great job of assuring these bereaved children that they are loved, and that they are going to be, are, okay. In fact, at least one feels (and can express) that he is being watched over by a star or stars. I am grateful that I got to see this happen. I feel better for it! Let the healing continue!
|
|
If we reassure children by loving and protecting them, they can freely grow and develop resilience. This is sort of a positive twist to Joseph Conrad's words: "Woe to the man whose heart has not learned while young to hope, to love - and to put its trust in life." Congratulations to our friend, "Mr. Jonathan Craig" |
on his birthday! And to Bernard and Shirley Wright who brought this wonderful milestone to our attention by making a contribution in his honor. His name and theirs has now been added to our Book of Honor, and adds to our little endowment for a "gift that keeps on giving." |
|
Penny Pincher believes in being frugal about little things so that the Pincher family will be able to afford something important. She does not like being called "cheap". Nor does she agree with her cousins, Penny Wise and Pound Foolish who will "save" money by not giving their children vitamins/healthy food, so that |
they can "afford" the latest fashion trend or a gold chain to wear. The Pincher, on the other hand, will gladly wash dozens of glasses to save the cost of throwaway cups that add to the landfill as well as the grocery cost. In the long run, she will save enough to take the children for a fun learning experience. |
|
They collected many supplies including crayons, construction paper, glue, tape, and scissors. Delivered by "Miss Monique", this will help us eke out our limited budget, so that we do not have |
to ask our families to purchase supplies from their own limited funds. In fact, we have enough to share with our school-age children to help them with their school supply lists. |
| A.Nonymous who donated five computers; to VFW Post who donated six cases of fruit juice; to Karen McGuinness who also donated snacks and other items, to J. Rosen who dated many, many children's books; and to Dr. David Goldstein who donated |
many household items. Our digital inclusion project benefits, our literacy
project benefits, our nutrition program benefits, and so do our families and
children.
Thank you, good friends. |
| If you would like to offer a suggestion, make a comment, make a donation or contribution, volunteer, please write to me at bewith@mail2peace.com, or PO Box 187, Hightstown NJ 08520. | If you would like to know more about Better Beginnings, please visit our website at www.princetonol.com. Click on Community and then Better Beginnings. |
September 16, 2003
|
Some years ago, the (then) Head Teacher at Better Beginnings announced that she was leaving. Upon hearing of this, one of the children came in to the office and approached her desk. With a worried frown, and in a tiny quivering voice, she asked the Head Teacher, "B-but who's going to be the officer when you leave?" The child logically assumed that someone who worked in an office was surely an officer. We were so charmed by this that we could have missed the child's real concern. |
The child was saying, in the between-the-lines fashion of many children, "If you leave, there will be one less person to love me and watch out for me. " It reminded us to reassure all the children that there are many of us here who love them, who will look after them, watch over them and who care about them, their health, their safety, and their future. We routinely do just that, beginning with their family, their extended family and their devoted classroom staff, all the "officers", and more. |
|
Children everywhere take things personally. They are fearful of what will
happen to them if something happens to their primary caretaker. After
9/11, they wondered, "Will a plane fly into our house?"
"What will happen to me if my Dad (or Mom) is killed?" We need
to reassure them that they are loved in depth. Show them your safety
measures. Above all, name the people who love them and who would care for
them in an emergency. "See how many people there are who care for
you! There is Grandmom, and Grandpop, and Aunt Susie, Cousin Pete,
Neighbor Marie and Teacher "Miss Joan".
After the bombing in Oklahoma, which included a day care center, the very first thing we did the next morning was to take the children on a short walk. We visited the Hightstown Police Department and the Fire Department so that the young learners could see and experience first hand that our Safe- |
keepers were nearby to prevent such a happening here. We didn’t announce our
visit to the HPD. We just wanted to take a walk to show the children how close
it. However, the Police quickly surmised our purpose and gave generously and
spontaneously of their time and seemed to enjoy providing just the reassurance
the children needed.
After the horror in Columbine, our school-age children wanted to know what was being done in our schools to protect them. Chief Spain and Lieutenant Brady of the East Windsor Police Department made a special trip to talk to them and reassure them. They told them what they had said to their own children. The students in the after-school group felt much better and safer, particularly as the (real) officers had wisely empowered them by giving them tasks that they could do to help insure their own safety. |
|
On September 11, 2003, I watched with sorrow and amazement as the
children, two by two, recited names of the fallen, including their own
loved ones. (In reality, I only watched through the "C's"; that
was as far as I got before my sobbing got out of hand.) I did hear the
young man read the beautiful poem he had written about the stars watching
over him when he cried and cried and cried.
I thought how incredible it was for these 200 children to be so confident and so willing to undertake this, to endeavor to read all those names. Let me tell you that I know some grown ups, mature adults, who quake at the thought of getting up and |
reading names in front of a small audience. Impressive indeed, then, that these
young people willingly did this before a huge audience and TV cameras.
Somehow, with guidance I'm sure, these grieving young people have surmounted a terrible tragedy and they are healing. Someone has done a great job of assuring these bereaved children that they are loved, and that they are going to be, are, okay. In fact, at least one feels (and can express) that he is being watched over by a star or stars. I am grateful that I got to see this happen. I feel better for it! Let the healing continue! |
|
If we reassure children by loving and protecting them, they can freely grow and develop resilience. Sort of a positive twist to Joseph Conrad's |
words: "Woe to the man whose heart has not learned while young to hope, to love - and to put its trust in life." |
|
believes in being frugal about little things so that the Pincher family will be able to afford something important. She does not like being called "cheap". Nor does she agree with her cousins, Penny Wise and Pound Foolish who will "save" money by not giving their children vitamins/healthy food, so that they can |
"afford" the latest fashion trend or a gold chain to wear. The Pincher, on the other hand, will gladly wash dozens of glasses to save the cost of throwaway cups that add to the landfill and the grocery cost. In the long run, she will save enough to take the children for a fun learning experience. |
|
They collected many supplies including crayons, construction paper, glue, tape, and scissors. Delivered by "Miss Monique", this will help us eke out our limited budget, so that we do not have |
to ask our families to purchase supplies from their own limited funds. In fact, we have enough to share with our school-age children to help them with their own school supply lists. |
| A.Nonymous who donated five computers; to VFW Post who donated six cases of fruit juice; to Karen McGuinness who also donated snacks and other items, to J. Rosen who dated many, many children's books; and to Dr. David Goldstein who donated |
many household items. Our digital inclusion project benefits, our literacy
project benefits, our nutrition program benefits, and so do our families and
children.
Thank you, good friends. |
| If you would like to offer a suggestion, make a comment, make a donation or contribution, volunteer, please write to me at bewith@mail2peace.com, or PO Box 187, Hightstown NJ 08520. | If you would like to know more about Better Beginnings, please visit our website at www.princetonol.com. Click on Community and then Better Beginnings. |
September 10, 2003
| That is the title of a post-academic university course that came to my attention. I moan, "Oh no!" At Better Beginnings, we look upon diversity as a good thing, definitely not something to be "coped with." We look upon it as a joy, a benefit, a necessity. Who wants | to tell the face that it needs to cope with the fact that its nose is not like its lips! Cheeky! Who will tell the leader of a symphony orchestra that she must cope with musical notes that are not alike! Or that the piano and the violin are different! Brassy! |
|
At Better Beginnings, we have team teachers in the classrooms. They are chosen
to complement each other, not to be carbon copies of each other. Even the
administration of the name-withheld university can surely agree that
"diverse" teachers have more to offer the young students.
There is a little anonymous story that has been circulating on the Internet for some time. Friends send this anecdote to me from time to time, knowing I will love it. I do. I love reading it every time I get it. I wish I knew who wrote it. Here it is. "Jamie was trying out for a part in a |
school play. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though
she feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were awarded, I went
with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with
pride and excitement. "Guess what Mom," he shouted, and then said
those words that touched my heart: "I've been chosen to clap and
cheer."
Jamie’s teacher is gifted, yes? Jamie is fortunate to have learned so early the importance of everyone's role, including, maybe especially, those who encourage, boost, "clap and cheer". |
| Because of their first-hand observations, our teachers believe deeply in multiple intelligences and various learning styles. Everyone is intelligent, everyone has talents, and everyone has something to contribute to others and to the whole. Discovering each young student's special talents, intelligences and gifts is key. |
It follows that giving each/all the dignity and respect they deserve is
essential. Come to think of it, that could be interpreted as encouraging,
boosting, clapping and cheering!!
Let’s hear it for the teachers! Give me a "T", Give me an "E" … |
|
What if all coins were the same? That would be an unwelcome change! |
|
Do you have one of those plastic bottles that soda or water comes in? Turn it upside down. Does the bottom look like a flower or maybe a star? What can you use that for? Maybe to make an imprint in clay? Or brush some paint across it to make a stamp? Cut off the bottom |
portion and pour in some plaster of paris to make a decorative piece. Add some marbles or pretty stones if desired. The bottom is also great for playing in damp sand. The upper portion makes a good funnel. Not just for holding liquid, even the plastic bottle is diverse! |
| upon receiving an award from the American Heart Association. It is well deserved. We admire greatly the | wide range of activities P.A.L. offers and the work they do for the young people of this community. |
| Many unshed tears remain, it seems. Countless are the unfilled dreams. For those we lost, we sorrow still. Remember? Always. More tears spill. We came together then as one. Acting in concert, from sun to sun…eased our | grief and helped us cope. Gave us courage, gave us hope. Our memories remain, the tears still fall. Our pain is for one, and is for all, Joining hands, we face another day. Together is the better way. |
|
If you work together, you can get more done than you can if you each work alone. (There's even a name for it: synergy) |
| A special thank you to Reg. Bishop of Trinity Church via "Mr. Jonathan" Craig for sixty children's books; to Clara Martino for another ten hand crocheted blankets; to Maria Sanchez for leche, | manzana and papel; to Ondina and Will Jeffers for their monthly contribution for "our children"; and to Mercer County for their continued support. |
| Here is one: "MUSIC AND DANCE Ask parents to lend you recordings of music that their family enjoys. Teach the children songs and dances from different nations of the world. Children will begin to see that all people like to sing and dance, but every | group has its own special ways of doing it. Talk with the children about how different music sounds: loud, soft, fast, or slow. Listen for the different instruments. Again, ask parents if they have any instruments children could listen to or try." |
In spite of the fact that inveterate and incessant punning is considered a
mental illness by some and mental abuse by others, Punny Penny carries on:
|
|
| Send it to me at bewith@mail2peace.com or PO Box 187 Hightstown NJ 08520. Same address for ideas for Penny Packer, comments and suggestions of all kinds. If you wish to make a contribution, please feel free to do so. It will be spent well. | You can visit your contribution at work at 318 North Main St. in Hightstown, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call us at 609-448-6226, or visit our website at www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc |
September 3, 2003
| Please drive carefully. Be alert. Slow down! Remember that the lives of those little school boys and girls are precious. Also, they are our future leaders and workers. Who knows? One of them may find the cure to cancer. One of them may design and achieve world peace! One of them may be the | teacher who marries the first female U. S. President. Others will be even more important: the worker bees who perform the day to day duties that keep our world running smoothly. Even more important than all of that: Think how you would feel if you hurt someone. |
| We all have them. How we act upon them is what defines our character, personality, and ability to live and thrive with others. Of course, little children still believe that the world revolves around them. (Come to think of it, | so do some adults.) Our task is to help children learn that others have feelings too. Amazing how much this surprises them and how often we have to repeat it before they get it. |
|
Some little children who are "new" have some pretty strong feelings about this unfamiliar situation in which they find themselves. In some cases, the parents' feelings are even stronger! We reassure them that we love and will protect these little learners, just as family would. Often, when the parent(s) are confident, the children are too. Happily, we bring the children in a few at a time so that the teachers will have time to spend with each of the new students, reassuring and encouraging them, until he/she becomes comfortable. Somehow, though, with all our prior planning and good thoughts, we still have thirteen new children today. Of these, only one is feeling really sad. The teacher is sitting on the floor with him, interesting him in hooking up the cars in a little train. He is getting into it but looks up and says, |
"I still miss my Mommy." (I know, honey, but remember -- we love you, too.) For now, he chooses to be a little bit happier, absorbed in playing with this new found toy. We encourage the young learners to bring photos of beloved family members for the bulletin board, which is usually a soothing touchstone. Making a picture or project "for Mommy" is a thoughtful diversion. The children have many choices of ways to play and learn indoors and out. Nurturing includes nutritious breakfast, snacks and lunch. For rest time, each has his special blanket in which to snuggle, made for them by our beloved Clara Martino. The time passes quicker than they think, and "Here is Mommy now!" Tomorrow we will have even more fun and learning. |
|
Our thanks to our good friends who help us keep going: This week, our gratitude to Joan A. Gordon, Ted & Elaine Eabert, John Cutler and Arlene O'Rourke for collecting pennies, donating software, turnaround |
computers and components, crayons, games, paper and books. And also to "Mr. Emil" who somehow always knows when to show up, just at the moment when the number of used but not fixed computers begin to crowd us! |
|
Cyber-friend Billie "Ril" in England shares her dream: My Dream is also a prayer...I ask God each night ... That man will live in peace and harmony no matter what colour or creed.... it is only through peace and harmony that.. this world can address problems like famine, drought ..lack of Education...and the need for |
Medicine and Medical help... I pray that God will guide our leaders to come together in peace and with the will to stop all Wars and conflicts. Thank you, "Ril" for sharing your wonderful dream with us. I am deeply moved by your thoughtful prayer. |
| Inspired by the family idea above, the Pincher suggests making "real" touchstones. The young learner may collect a group of smooth stones, one for each family member. She/he may then transform the stones | by painting or decorating one to represent each family member. Young Learner can then play with them, act out little stories with them, and just enjoy looking at them. |
|
From another Cyberfriend, from an southeastern USA coastal state, it is signed "A. Nonnymuth", and a cashier's check. The "penny rhyme" is entited, "The Sender Had a Dream." That this idea to send a hundred token To a state that also includes Hoboken, Will maybe help and cause some fun For Penny Pincher when it's said and done.
Addressed to Bettie, who is just a peach, |
And to the kids that she will teach; Or to a dog or maybe a cat … It's up to her and that is that.
It's not that much, it sure don't seem, It just came to me … in a dream …
A. Nonnymuth P. S. My daughter, for those who wonder at the pet reference, is in the process of forming a non-profit corporation for a cat shelter. |
| Do you have a dream you will share with us? Do you have a suggestion for Penny Pincher? Do you want to make a much needed contribution or donation? Do you want to know more about Better Beginnings? Do you want to volunteer in the classroom, office, as a computer fixer? | Would you like to place an ad in our Shining Star Gala program? Would you like to be a sponsor? Call us at 609-448-6226, visit our website at www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc, or write to me, if you wish, at bewith@mail2peace.com or PO Box 187, Hightstown, NJ 08520. |
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