September Newsletter 2023

Teri Ann Cox
Executive Director of The Children’s Center

Dear Center Families,

As we enjoy back-to-school activities and fall into autumn, 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 last year that a national courtesy campaign first launched in June of 1979 by the Ministry of Culture in Singapore and was then adopted and 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. Mow your elderly neighbor’s lawn. Compliment a shy child you see every day at drop off. Smile at each person you meet.  

Please join us in creating a center…a community…and a world filled with courtesy and more kindness. And watch for #NationalCourtesyMonth posts we share on social media in the month ahead!

Happy September!

Teri Ann