Monday, February 6, 2012
Columnist Brenda Kelley Kim talks about time, tardiness and taking things slower.
“I’ve been on a calendar, but never on time” -Marilyn Monroe Yet another reason I’m nothing like Marilyn Monroe. Besides the obvious truth that I was never a sex symbol, a movie star or an American icon, I am also never late. Well, almost never, I’m not perfect, and when I have been late, well it was ugly. This doesn’t mean that I am somehow more efficient or smarter than the average person. I just don’t like being late. It bugs the snot out of me to get somewhere late. I will own being a little tightly wound (Like a watch, get it?) about the whole late thing but I just can't help it. I know some people have a fluid concept of time and if that works for them, so be it. I don’t share this concept. Five o’clock is five o’clock. Time is one …
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Boys love to argue
I have three sons, which means I usually have five to 15 boys in my house. Anyone who lives with boys knows their competitive nature. While not usually competing over the size of their GPA’s, they are fond of comparing the size of their biceps, rate of facial hair growth and the amount of hot sauce one can possibly stand. Many years ago, when mine were babies, I attended a lecture on raising boys. The speaker, Dr. Eli Newberger, said that when men walk into a room, they size up the competition immediately. They decide who they can “take” and who can take them. That sounded interesting to me at the time, but really made much more sense later. A few years back, no day seemed better than an afternoon of wrestling and arguing. About 10 boys …
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Here's to a Great School Year
Dear Teachers, Another school year is upon us. I would like to take this opportunity to write you a letter. I don’t speak for all parents or all situations, but I know that I speak for many when I write this. Please know that we support you and applaud your efforts with our children. We know better than anyone that our children are not always easy. Help us help you throughout the school year. Posting grades and homework online gives us all a fabulous tool as well as a degree of accountability. When students know their parents can see and impose unpleasant consequences, they may be more inclined to do their homework. Teachers, knowing parents will look, may be more inclined to keep up with the grading. If you see a problem, let us know…
42.477933
-70.9185
Swampscott High School
200 Essex St, Swampscott, MA
/articles/moments-dear-teachers
771818
/locations/5261065
42.473074
-70.902639
Town of Swampscott Middle School
207 Forest Ave, Swampscott, MA
/articles/moments-dear-teachers
771549
/locations/5261066
42.468601
-70.915906
Hadley Elementary School
24 Redington St, Swampscott, MA
/articles/moments-dear-teachers
1734954
/locations/5261067
42.47426
-70.917669
Clarke Elementary School
100 Middlesex Ave, Swampscott, MA
/articles/moments-dear-teachers
1734286
/locations/5261068
42.473004
-70.896933
Stanley School
10 Whitman Rd, Swampscott, MA
/articles/moments-dear-teachers
771750
/locations/5261069
Mary DeChillo
12:05 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I would add two additional points: 1)Remember that student success is linked to the idea that parents and teachers need to be allies and collaborators rather than competitors and/or enemies. 2)Teachers should not confuse a high VOLUME of short and long-term assignments with academic rigor. There is a point of diminishing educational return in assigning repetitive content that does nothing to … more ›