| MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Katy C. Merrell, MEd. |
| January 2007 A Sense of Values |
A belated Happy New Year to all…
As we start a new year we often take stock of what is
most important to us – a kind of reprioritizing.
Recently one of our teachers shared this thought
provoking story with me and I wanted to pass it on. It
is entitled;
“A Sense of Values”
During my second year of nursing school our professor
gave us a pop quiz. I breezed thought the questions
until I read the last one. “What is the name of the
woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some
kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several
times, but how would I know her name? I handed in the
paper, leaving the last question blank. Before the class
ended, one of the students asked if the last question
would count towards our grade. “Absolutely,” the
professor said. “In your careers you will meet many
people. All are significant. They deserve your
attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say
hello” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned
that her name was Dorothy.
The most important “lessons” we teach at school have
nothing to do with letters and numbers. It is never too
early to begin teaching the essential value that we all
deserve attention (respect) and care. Three year olds
learn by imitating the adults in their lives, so modeling
values is a big first step.
As we start a new year we often take stock of what is
most important to us – a kind of reprioritizing.
Recently one of our teachers shared this thought
provoking story with me and I wanted to pass it on. It
is entitled;
“A Sense of Values”
During my second year of nursing school our professor
gave us a pop quiz. I breezed thought the questions
until I read the last one. “What is the name of the
woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some
kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several
times, but how would I know her name? I handed in the
paper, leaving the last question blank. Before the class
ended, one of the students asked if the last question
would count towards our grade. “Absolutely,” the
professor said. “In your careers you will meet many
people. All are significant. They deserve your
attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say
hello” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned
that her name was Dorothy.
The most important “lessons” we teach at school have
nothing to do with letters and numbers. It is never too
early to begin teaching the essential value that we all
deserve attention (respect) and care. Three year olds
learn by imitating the adults in their lives, so modeling
values is a big first step.
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| “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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NORFOLK CHILDREN'S SCHOOL, 23 Union St., Norfolk, MA 02056 508-528-1970
Copyright 2007 Norfolk Children's School
Website Design by Karma Communications
Website Design by Karma Communications
By four, children can begin to be able to see that others have a different point of view. They
are more aware of their own feelings and those of others. This leads to more empathy and the
true ability to share and take turns.
We work very hard at NCS to value each child’s worth and individuality. At the same time we
spend a great deal of time teaching children the concrete, everyday meaning of being safe,
gentle, kind and respectful. Teachers use phrases like “respectful listening” and “acts of
kindness”, and we encourage and acknowledge when children are being kind to and respectful of
each other. There are so many discussions about bullying in the upper grades, and a variety of
programs have been developed to help deal with this sadly growing problem. When children are
young it is the best time to teach them the importance of mutual respect, to model it in your
marriage and family life and advocate for it in all settings (schools, activities, etc.) in which
your children participate.
Respectfully,
Katy C, Merrell MEd.
are more aware of their own feelings and those of others. This leads to more empathy and the
true ability to share and take turns.
We work very hard at NCS to value each child’s worth and individuality. At the same time we
spend a great deal of time teaching children the concrete, everyday meaning of being safe,
gentle, kind and respectful. Teachers use phrases like “respectful listening” and “acts of
kindness”, and we encourage and acknowledge when children are being kind to and respectful of
each other. There are so many discussions about bullying in the upper grades, and a variety of
programs have been developed to help deal with this sadly growing problem. When children are
young it is the best time to teach them the importance of mutual respect, to model it in your
marriage and family life and advocate for it in all settings (schools, activities, etc.) in which
your children participate.
Respectfully,
Katy C, Merrell MEd.