Sheehan Notes

Children can often be delightful. They also can sometimes be deceitful or unkind. Here are some ways parents can help children grow up to be respectful and kind, and to have the self-respect they need to make the right choices, both now and in the future.

 

1.       Trade places. TV shows and movies can be helpful in teaching children how to be more sensitive to others’ feelings. When you’re watching a program together and one character behaves unkindly to another, pause the movie or ask at the commercial: “Did you notice how mean that character was? How do you think that made the other person feel? What would you do in that situation?” Talk it through together and stress the importance of treating people with respect.

2.       Read up. From the time your children first hear bedtime stories through the time they’re old enough to read for themselves, look for books that quietly impart messages about self-discipline, kindness to others, dealing with peer pressure, and telling the truth. Talk about the stories and see if they’ve ever been in a situation like the character in the book, or if they know of someone who has. Share your family values about how best to deal with those situations.

3.       Stand strong. It is difficult for children to deal with situations in which their classmates, neighbors, siblings, or friends are behaving in a bad or cruel manner. Help them be prepared by role-playing ahead of time –act out situations they might face and see how they’d react. Talk with them about other ways to deal with the peer pressure, and let them know that, while standing up to their friends or peers might temporarily make them less popular with that group, in the long run they will have earned the respect of those whose opinions matter more.

4.       No excuses. Sometimes, parents are unaware that their children are misbehaving in school until they’re notified by a teacher. Should parents react with denial, that doesn’t help anyone, particularly not the child, who learns that he or she can get away with bad behavior at school as long as the parents are fooled. If you get that call or note from the teacher, talk to your child and call or make an appointment to meet with the teacher.

5.       The golden rule. Teach your children to treat others the way that they, themselves, would like to be treated. Reinforce it at home by treating your children with respect and expecting to be treated respectfully in return. Reinforce it through your church, synagogue, or temple or through involvement in community activities that work to help others. Most importantly, show your children you truly believe it by behaving respectfully yourself.

 

·         The Tupperware fundraiser is at the midway point. Please remember to share the book with friends and family, co-workers, and neighbors. Everyone loves Tupperware and there is always something new. All orders are due back to Susan Winter by Friday, April 18. Thank you.

·         Reminder: The PTA is planning a Spring Book Fair “Blitz”. This spring the book fair will last only two days and will have only after school hours (5 -8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, and 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on the short Wednesday, April 30). Children will not be visiting the fair during the school day. Evening hours are planned for both so that all Sheehan families might have the opportunity to visit the fair together. Contact Rina Buonato (rina@comcast.net) or Megan Coppola (megan@circleproperties.com) with any questions.

·         Annual school-wide Field Day event will be held on Wednesday, June 11. Raindate is Thursday, June 12. Save the date!

·         The annual spring Teacher appreciation Dinner will be Tuesday, April 29, parent/teacher conference night. Contributions would be gratefully appreciated. Please contact Ellen O’Hara, 781-255-1959, or mohara5@verizon.net.

 

·         Our service project for book donations to Children’s Hospital is over. Thank you, Mrs. Valentine and Mrs. Venti, and all parents who have delivered books this week. Now we are helping Will Scannell work on his Eagle Scout project to collect summer clothing for Iraqi children. If something from last year doesn’t fit, you can bring it to the blue container in the library hallway.

·         The next spirit day is Crazy Hair Day on Wednesday, April 16.

·         Earth Day will be celebrated on the Sheehan playground on Friday, April 18.

 

Save the date: Westwood is gearing up to host its first annual Pan-Mass Challenge Kids Ride on Sunday, June 8^th, at the Martha Jones School (9-11:30 a.m.). The PMC Kids Ride is a mini bike-a-thon that is modeled after the PMC, a 192-mile ride that has raised more than $200 million to help fund cancer research and treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Kids from 4-15 years old will be riding on one of three bike routes (tykes, kids 1-mile, teen 6-mile) in an effort to make a real difference in the fight against cancer while also having some great outdoor fun! Please look for the flyer coming home soon. For information contact Wendy Fahey at lague-fahey@comcast.net.

 

·         Information sessions on the Thurston Middle School Expansion Proposal for parents and community members will be held in the Middle School auditorium on Wednesday, April 16, at 9:15 a.m. and on Thursday, May 1, at 7:00 p.m. Optional tour to follow on this date.

·         Annual Recorder Concert for 3^rd and 4^th graders will be held on Thursday, April 17, in the cafeteria.

·         Grade 5 Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 1 P.m. at Sheehan School tennis courts. Drop off items there between 7-8 a.m. or at Jeannine Kremer’s home, 106 Hartford Street, on Thursday, May 1, 4-7 p.m.

·         Gently used children’s books have been bagged and await delivery to Children’s Hospital or any hospital where they would be appreciated. Parents may pick these up at the entrance to the library. Thank you to students and parents who have contributed these wonderful books and to anyone who can deliver them.

·         MCAS continues to march on during the month of May.

·         As described in last week’s newsletter, parents wishing to submit information regarding placement for next year will need to do so in writing by April 18.

 

Matt Morin, Sheehan School alumnus and senior at Xaverian Brothers High School, is spending six weeks assisting teachers and students with various curriculum projects as part of a Christian Senior Service Program. During his stay at Sheehan School Matt is required to maintain a daily journal of his activities and to complete a final Reflection Paper. Welcome, Matt, to your early learning roots!

 

Coming home today: gold Thurston Fun Run, NESA short Wednesday, pink Book Fair, white Fisher School letter for grade 3