September Newsletter 2024

Teri Ann Cox
Executive Director of The Children’s Center

Dear Center Families,

As we enjoy back-to-school activities, September presents us with opportunities to learn about new and different things. For example, did you know that September is National Courtesy Month?

I learned a couple of years ago that a national courtesy campaign was first launched in 1979 by the Ministry of Culture in Singapore. Each year the campaign grew and was eventually added to our national day calendar. The word “courteous” comes from the Middle English word “kindness,” which means “noble deeds” or “courtesy.”

How appropriate, as we kick off the new school year teaching our program wide expectations known as the “4 Bs” (Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible). Our teaching method works best when childcare professionals effectively model safe, kind, respectful, and responsible behaviors themselves and in turn reward young children and students who follow these examples. We work hard to teach these expectations in the classrooms and reinforce our “rules” in the hallways and on the playground. We especially encourage children to be kind and care for each other every day because kindness is one of the most significant contributors to positive climates.

There are so many ways to show (and model for our kids) kindness. When going into a store or restaurant, hold the door open for the people behind you. Compliment a child you see every day at drop off. Smile at each person you meet. Our children are always watching.

Please join us in creating a center…a community…and a world filled with courtesy and more kindness!

With kind regards,

Teri Ann

P.S. For the younger crowd, the book Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra is a great read-aloud story that follows B.B. Wolf and his funny experience of being invited to his first tea party. The silly song he makes up to try to remember how to behave is a fun, gentle reminder for children who are just learning how to have good manners.