Tashua Family Weekly Update
Mrs. Neumeyer, Principal
October 8, 2021
Dear Tashua Families,
Not only are our students striving each and every day to excel academically, but also socially and emotionally. This year, we will continue to focus 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.
Further, in the spirit of supporting others, Tashua School staff and PTA are eager to celebrate and promote diversity and inclusion in our community by launching affinity groups. Affinity groups are community sub-groups organized based on social identity, shared characteristics, or life experiences. Affinity groups are designed to promote diversity and inclusion as spaces for those with common interests and experiences to share and collaborate. They are a source of support, and an opportunity to foster the exchange of ideas between people of diverse backgrounds. Some examples might include: Asian-American parent group, African-American parent group, Latinx/Hispanic parent group, LGBTQIA parent group, Parents of students with special needs, Parents of adopted children, Single parent family group, etc. The Affinity groups that are the most requested will be established. Please know that all members of our school community are welcome to participate in any of the Affinity groups that are established, as a member of the group who shares a commonality or as an ally to support the group. The adult Affinity group meetings will be held in various locations at Tashua School prior to our in-person/bi-monthly PTA meetings. Please complete This form to suggest possible groups to be formed within the Tashua parent community and indicate your interest in facilitating a group. We are excited to launch this initiative and we looking forward to our continued work together to enhance our school community.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Below are some resources to review with your family to learn more as well as some local events happening in the state.
Events:
5 Events to Celebrate HHM in CT
Hispanic Heritage Month Events in CT
Web Resources:
National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2021
Top Resources for National Hispanic Heritage Month
Smithsonian Latino Center Hispanic Heritage Month Resources
Books:
Picture Books that Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
More Picture Books Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Books for Hispanic Heritage Month
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.
Once again, I hope you can all enjoy this beautiful fall weekend!
Fondly,
Mrs. Neumeyer
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 11
No School; Columbus Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Tuesday, October 12
BOE Meeting 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 14
Picture Retake Day
Monday, October 18
Book Fair Set-Up
Tuesday, October 19
Book Fair
Wednesday, October 20
Read Aloud Day
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Book Fair
Thursday, October 21
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Book Fair Pick - Up
PTA Meeting; 7:00 PM
Friday, October 22
TPS PINK OUT Day - Staff members will be wearing pink on this day, students are welcome to join us.
Tuesday, October 26
Early Dismissal
Afternoon Conferences
BOE Meeting; 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 28
Early Dismissal
Afternoon Conferences
Curriculum Updates
For K-5 Curriculum updates, please visit the website below:
https://sites.google.com/trumbullps.net/programleaders-site/home
School Community Initiatives
Socktober
"PINK OUT Day" in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness - Friday, October 22nd
We are so excited Tashua school is doing Pink Pledge this year! Tashua staff members will be wearing PINK on October 22nd to show support for this cause. Students are welcome to participate too!
If you would like to make a donation, here is our Tashua School fundraising link:
Tashua School is fundraising for Bridgeport Hospital Foundation Inc
Please help Tashua School raise money to support Bridgeport Hospital Foundation Inc.
Trumbull Volunteer Fire Company Open House
Updates from our PTA
Many thanks to everyone who has volunteered to chair or co-chair a committee this year. We cannot be great without each and every one of you. Our amazing chairs have been busy planning lot of fun and fundraising activities for the year. Check out our preliminary calendar of events for this school year.
Many thanks to our chairs who have already done so much for this community this fall. Thank you to Erin Del Rossi for setting up fantastic food spreads for our teachers during the stressful back to school weeks. Thank you to Sara Harper for selling merchandise at the Back to School Picnic and Back to School Night. She also just replenished inventory of t-shirts. Sarah is wonderful at making sure our kids have tiger shirts that fit them! Thank you to Christie McKenzie for organizing a fantastic Mum sale which raised $150 for the PTA operating budget. Thank you also to our beautification chairs Malina Herrera and Stella Tzanetis who planted mums in front of the school and are working on upgrading the front and back doors of the school with some seasonal décor.
Upcoming PTA Dates:
- October 8th – 22nd, Fall Catalog Fundraiser: Support your PTA and accomplish some holiday shopping. If you order FROZEN and NON-FROZEN items together your entire order will ship to the school. Please communicate this to any family/friends who don't live locally and want their order shipped directly to their homes! They unfortunately can't order any of the FROZEN items unless they are able to pick it up from the school. If there are any questions don't hesitate to reach out to Lisa Stein via email: lisastein14@gmail.com or cell 203-273-4657.
- October 18th – 22nd, Scholastic Book Fair: See attached flyer for more information please view the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10cNDedRq6Hsj57MaPvYUvnRUT7Qd14eW/view?usp=sharing
- October 18th – 22nd, Scholastic Book Fair: More info to be distributed closer to the date.]
- October - Fall Swag Sale - in response to community requests, the PTA is excited to host this year's Fall Swag Sale with delivery in time for the holidays. Show your school spirit in these warm and cozy offerings coming soon!
- October 18th – 22nd, Scholastic Book Fair: More info to be distributed closer to the date.
- November 5th & 12th: Parent craft nights out. Join the PTA executive board for some crafty fun at AR workshop in Fairfield. Each session is limited to 20 individuals so sign up early. November 5th at 6:30pm - Chunky knit class: https://www.arworkshop.com/event/?loc=fairfield&ev=266158 code: MNO November 12th at 6:30pm - Wood workshop: https://www.arworkshop.com/event/?loc=fairfield&ev=266165 code: MNO
- December 20th - Reflections contest deadline. More information to come.
PTA Membership
Some of things that membership dues pay for include:
Recognition of staff throughout the year with breakfasts and lunches
Activities and goodies for staff during staff appreciation
Grade level activities, including a number of activities for the 5th grade
Supplies for Teachers
Professional Development for Teachers
Folders and assignment books for students
Our PTA registration for the 2021-2022 school year is already up and running! Please use the link below to join and access your membership: