Wednesday, February 22, 2012
And what would the Moms Council change about the town, if they could?
Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Our conversation starts today with a broad topic, but a good one. This week, we asked the Moms Council: From a parent's perspective, what makes Reading a great place to raise kids? And what is one thing you would change if you could? Here’s what they had to say: Alicia Botticelli-Tarasuk Reading is such a great town! I was born and raised in Reading, so I may be a bit biased, but nonetheless, it is wonderful. I live AND work in Reading. Having gone through the schools I saw first hand how great the schools were. I played sports and took part in the drama program so I saw that aspect of the schools too. I stayed in Reading to raise my children …
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
President Obama recently exempted Massachusetts and nine other states from the No Child Left Behind Act. Here's what the Moms Council has to say about it.
Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Our conversation starts today with a topic that has been a very controversial one since the law went into effect back in 2002: No Child Left Behind. President Obama recently granted a waiver to 10 states—including Massachusetts—exempting them from the law. With that in mind, we asked the Moms Council for their take, as parents, on this development. Here’s what they had to say: Alicia Botticelli-Tarasuk No child left behind in theory was a great plan. The reality of it seems to be a much different thing. Since MCAS testing has been taking place, from third grade on, I feel the kids as well as the teachers are more stressed then ever. I dont …
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
How can parents ensure kids are comfortable reporting things like bullying to an adult?
Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Our conversation starts today with a topic that all parents will deal with at some point: Bullying. Last week, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Patty de Garavilla presented the results of the fall bullying survey to the School Committee and the results indicated that Reading students are less likely to report bullying to an adult than they were last semester. So this week, we asked the Moms Council: How can you make sure your kids are comfortable reporting things like bullying to an adult? Erin Calvo-Bacci As a parent of three children I am certainly busy. I wanted to be a parent, it is my first responsibility and I am thankful for the …
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
First Lady Michelle Obama and the USDA recently released the new nutrition guidelines for school lunches. We asked our moms council to weigh in
Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Our conversation starts today in response to Michelle Obama and the USDA's announcement of the new nutrition standards for school lunches. We asked our moms council: As a parent, do you want the government to tell you what to feed your children? Meghan Cogswell I don't think this is as much about the government telling me what to feed my children as it is the government setting guidelines for what the cafeteria's serve our children. Either way, I don't agree with it. The bottom line is, if I don't want my kids to eat what is served in the cafeteria, then I can pack them a lunch with the foods I do want them to eat. While, I personally would…
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
With Local Election 2012 just around the corner, we asked our Moms Council how important the upcoming election is to their families.
Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Our conversation starts today in anticipation of Local Election 2012, held in March. We asked the Moms Council how important the elections are to their families? Erin Calvo-Bacci As a business owner, resident and mother of children who attend school in this town, the upcoming election is extremely important to me. My family and I discuss current events openly and our girls ask questions and we try to answer them to their level of understanding. Elections are important teaching tools and certainly with my involvement in the Town of Reading and as a member of the Legislative Committee for the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, my actions …
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday was observed on Monday. That being said, we asked the Moms Council how holidays such as this can help people talk to their kids about racism.
Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Our conversation starts today with a topic that is, unfortunately, not a new one. In light of Monday’s observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we asked the Moms Council how holidays such as these can help people talk with their kids about racism? Meghan Cogswell In short, just the fact that the holiday exists opens the door for discussion and is reason to talk about MLK specifically and his accomplishments. I think the schools do a great job of teaching the kids the meanings behind each of the holidays that are observed in the town. My kids will come home and tell us about what they are learning which is a great and ultimately leads to …
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Gadgets, gizmos and gewgaws: How to make sure your kids still open a book from time to time (who ever heard of a dog-eared IPad?).
Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Our conversation starts today with a topic that is growing ever more pertinent as new technologies continue to develop: Between video games, smart phones and TV, it almost seems like actually reading a book is becoming an outmoded pastime. How much emphasis do you put on reading for your kids, and how do regulate the aforementioned activities to ensure kids don't neglect more "intellectually nourishing" activities? Erin Calvo-Bacci My favorite memories of the girls as babies is the time spent sitting and reading to them. A lot of our “outings” were spent at libraries and bookstores which offered story time. The happy memories and feelings …
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
What is the right age to start talking with your kids about drugs? And what form should that discussion take?
Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Our conversation starts today with a topic that was very much at the forefront in 2011 and unfortunately figures to reprise that role in 2012: Substance abuse. What is the right age to start talking about drugs with your children? Alicia Botticelli-Tarasuk The age of which you start talking to your children about drugs is a per child thing I think. Some children are immature and don't have a clue until they are faced with such things other children ask many questions early because they are in tune to many things and pay attention more. I have talked to both of my children about drugs (they are 11 and 8). I have not gone into extreme detail, …
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
The top 10 Moms Talk columns from 2011. Join our Reading Moms Council—Meghan Cogswell, Erin Calvo-Bacci and Alicia Botticelli-Tarasuk—as they take on some of the biggest issues facing parents.
We asked our Moms Council some tough questions in 2011, and they responded in their usual thoughtful and insightful manner. Whether it was talking with kids about the tragic murder of Joe Ronan, how, as a parent, to deal with bullies or how to approach the dreaded “talk,” Reading Patch’s all-star moms knocked it out of the park every time. Here are the top 10 Moms Talk columns from 2011: 10) Moms Talk Takes on Video Games: Oct. 5—We asked the Moms Council if they allow their kids to play video games, and, if so, are violent titles permissible? The Moms Council was in agreement about putting the kibosh on violent games, but had varying responses as to the level of gaming their kids partake in. 9) Cell-Phones for Kids: Our Moms Council …
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
How the Holidays can help teach kids about diversity.
Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions. Our conversation starts today with a holiday-themed topic: With all the candy canes and reindeer, it can sometimes seem like Christmas is the only game in town. How can you use the holiday season to teach kids about tolerance and diversity? Erin Calvo-Bacci: I do not teach my children that Christmas is “the only game in town” and we do respect diversity of other religious beliefs. In our lives and home, Christmas is a major celebration of our religion and I would like others to not only ask that we share tolerance for their different views, but I would like for them to respect and tolerate our views. The United States is a Christian country. …
peter lucci
6:22 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Hey look, Christine the fraud has re-emerged!! Why don't you & your wife head on back to Brockton. Just keep bashing your old home town anonymously, someday maybe you'll come back, if your wife let's you of course. more ›