8/13/2019 Principal's Letter 1-15-14 (1)
1/1
Frank I. Brown Elementary School37 Highland Avenue
South Portland, ME 04106
Margaret Hawkins, Principal Telephone 207-799-5196Email Address:
[email protected] FAX 207- 767-7742January 14, 2014
Dear Brown School Families and Friends,
Happy New Year! I hope that you had time during our recent break
to rest, relax and enjoy time with your family
and friends. Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2014.
Now that we are back everyone is busy settling into a routine.
We are very happy that the temperatures have
moderated and we can get outside for recess. Just a reminder,
children need to dress for the weather as we do
go outside as long as the temperature is above 15(including the
wind chill factor).
Just before the holidays our Library Clerk, Mrs. Cummings, was
out sick for a few weeks. After several
appointments and many tests she was recently diagnosed with
cancer. She will be having some treatments in
Boston and some treatments here in Portland. We are all very
optimistic that she will return to work in a few
months. The students know that Mrs. Cummings has been out sick
but we have not yet shared with them the
exact nature of her illness. Because she is so well known in the
school and the South Portland community we felt
that it was important to make parents aware and give accurate
information.
It is our plan to share the information about her cancer with
all students (in a developmentally appropriate way) by
the end of this week. Either the classroom teacher or Beth
Dolley, our Guidance Counselor, will share the
information with the students. We plan to use the following
talking points:
Mrs. Cummings has been diagnosed with cancer.
Doctors are working hard to take good care of Mrs. Cummings.
Students should not worry about cancer being contagious like a cold
or the flu. We are hopeful that Mrs. Cummings will be back to
school before the end of the school year. We will keep the library
open with the help of several volunteers.
We realize that this information could illicit a range of
reactions from children based on their experiences with
family or friends who have dealt with a serious illness. Beth
Dolley will be available to talk with students who have
additional questions or concerns. Parents should also feel free
to contact Beth or myself if there are further
questions or concerns.
If you would like to send get well wishes to Mrs. Cummings you
can send your cards or notes to school and wewill get them
delivered to her.
Thank you in advance for your support of Mrs. Cummings and Brown
School.
Sincerely,
Margaret Hawkin
