Editorial

Learn Life’s Lesson While Young

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After coaching softball for over 25 years at recreational, Little League, travel, and high school varsity levels, I have a few tips for parents and coaches. First, let me say that 99% of the girls’ parents (and the girls!) were a delight to deal with and some remain good friends long after their daughters have given up the game. For the most part the parents were realistic about their daughter’s talent and sincerely cheered on her teammates. As somewhat of an athlete myself before the days of Title IX when girls’ sports were at the bottom of the heap both in funds provided and opportunity, I relished the chance to be on a team, and to strive with others to accomplish a common goal. It was disappointing to me that the softball team my senior year played a schedule of 7 games while the baseball team played 21.

Government/Town

Senior Center News

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Beginning in April, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began sending new Medicare cards to beneficiaries. The new cards are being sent to decrease Medicare beneficiaries’ vulnerability to identity theft by removing the Social Security-based number from Medicare identification cards and replacing it with a new unique Medicare Number. Although an exact time has not been specified for Connecticut, the roll-out for Connecticut residents will be after this month (June). Here’s what you need to know before they arrive:

• Make sure your address is up to date because Medicare will be sending it to the location associated with your Social Security account. To update your address information, contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 or go on-line to www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Schools/Sports

We Know Our Students at McAlister

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Administrators, teachers, and staff at McAlister Intermediate School have been working hard to live and breathe the Suffield Public School District’s mantra this year of “Know Your Students.” My colleagues and I are inspired by the Responsive Classroom philosophy and how many opportunities it provides us with creating a classroom community and getting to know our students. Every single day students are greeted as they enter our classrooms, participate in a community building morning meeting to set the tone for the day, and are provided closure and reflection during Closing Circle at the end of the day. Even specialists and service providers join classrooms for Morning Meeting daily in an effort to connect with the students within our school, even if they don’t have the privilege of working directly with them. Once a month certified staff is participating in a faculty meeting utilizing the Morning Meeting model to help build our own professional community and to improve our school climate by supporting the idea that “it takes a village” and we are all in this together. Various staff members take turns leading this Morning Meeting and sharing ideas that can be immediately implemented in our classrooms.

Staff members K-12 were invited to participate in a book club facilitated by our Director of Special Services Natalie Donais and high school psychologist Kelli Conroy focusing on the book, Lost in School by Dr. Ross Greene.

Government/Town

Reminder to Register Your Dog

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Connecticut State Law requires that all dogs six months of age or older be licensed in the town of residency. Proof of current rabies vaccination and spaying or neutering, if applicable, must be provided at the time of the application. Rabies tags alone are not an accepted proof of vaccination. After June 30, by law there will be an additional charge of $1.00 per month for each month the dog is not licensed. The yearly dog registration period set by State mandate runs from June 1st through May 31.

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

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Barbara (Berube) Leone April 13 Age 82 Dorothy (Seatland) Hinckley April 17, Age 91 Leslee Yuodis April 18 Age 81 Francesco “Frankie” Vono April 18 Age 79 Brianna Mailloux April 19 Age 18 Gertrude Johnson April 30 Age 99

Organizations

Free Cancer Educational Seminar

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Survivor Journeys™, a nonprofit organization offering support for cancer patients, survivors, their caregivers and families, is offering a free seminar entitled Cancer Survivorship 101—What Happens Next? at Max’s Tavern’s Julian Appleton Room at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield on Saturday, June 9 at 8 a.m.

Natasha Verma, an award-winning film director, philanthropist, television reporter/anchor at NBC Boston, and cancer survivor will be the keynote speaker. In addition a taped message from Hoda Kotb of the Today Show will be played at the session. The morning will begin with a continental breakfast followed by presentations by experts in their respective fields. In addition to the introduction and survivorship offerings by Dr. Jay Burton, Founder and President of Survivor Journeys™, topics will include the late effects of cancer treatment, anxiety and fear of recurrence, fatigue and sleep, nutrition issues, exercise and rehabilitation, and disability law as it regards cancer patients.