Updates from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians:

It is with great excitement that I share with you that Tashua School has once again been recognized as a Connecticut School of Distinction for High Performing Students! I am extremely proud of our students and staff and appreciative of all the home to school support we receive from each of you!

Not only are our students striving each and every day to excel academically, but also socially and emotionally. This year, we have been focusing on the importance of teaching empathy to our students. In today’s, goal driven – “selfie world”, it is important for all of us to be making it a priority to be thinking of others and finding ways to be supportive to those around us.

Children learn to express empathy through the experiences they encounter and by observing what is happening around them. By modeling our behavior, students begin to adopt our values. This modeling is so important that some say, empathy is caught, not taught!

We can assist children with becoming more empathic by helping them to:

Identify feelings. Name for children their difficult feelings such as frustration, sadness and anger and encourage them to talk to you about why they’re feeling that way.

Encourage empathy for peers. Ask children about their classmates and other peers. Ask children when they’re in conflicts with peers to consider their peers’ perspectives.

Reflect on empathy and caring. Notice with your child when you’re together and someone exhibits strong empathy—or shows a lack of empathy—either in your daily life or in a book or on television. Discuss why acts of empathy are important and why lacking empathy can be harmful.

Understand those who are different or struggling. Emphasize with your child the importance of really listening to others, especially those people who may seem unfamiliar and whom they don’t immediately understand. Encourage children to consider the feelings of those who may be vulnerable, such as a child experiencing some family trouble or an unpopular child. Give children some simple ideas for taking action, like comforting a classmate who was teased.

Resolve conflicts. Practice with your child how to resolve conflicts. Consider a conflict you or your child witnessed or experienced that turned out badly, and role play different ways of responding. Try to achieve mutual understanding—listening to and paraphrasing each other’s feelings until both persons feel understood. If your child observes you experiencing a difficult feeling and is concerned, talk to your child about how you are handling it.

(Suggestions from: Making Caring Common Project –The Harvard Graduate School of Education.)

When children can learn how to view the perspective of others, they will begin to demonstrate empathy and compassion for those around them.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or good news to share, please feel free to email me at NeumeyeJ@trumbullps.org or contact me at school at 203-452-4433.

Fondly,

Mrs. Neumeyer

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