Letters

Letters to the Editor...

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The Three Sisters

In between sales for replacement windows and offers to buy my house, occasionally the mail yields something of interest. The past few weeks have brought the Rehoboth Town Calendar, and the announcement that we have grown to four precincts! What unprecedented times. The other piece of mail I found interesting was my seed catalog. I used to be an avid gardener until I moved to a place in the woods, a major sticking point between my husband and I. Now instead of growing my flowers I have towering oaks that provide fodder for the abundant amount of hairy woodpeckers that like to visit.

Planning a garden is usually a winter activity, you plot your garden and order your seeds. Basic gardening teaches us things like to plant marigolds next to tomatoes, or to avoid nightshades near certain plants. Some plants like foliar feeds while others like ground feeding, some plants don’t like wet leaves and are prone to sun scorch or burns. The rules go on and on, and it’s been a while so I can’t quite remember all of them.

At the same time, this New Years, I took a trip to the dump and unloaded boxes of papers my parents saved from my schoolwork. I asked my husband if he wanted anything, or if he thought the kids might, and he said “no, nobody wants paper”. It made me laugh to myself because my signature move in rock paper scissors is in fact paper. Everyone likes to use brute force, forgetting the simplest tactic is usually the best route.

So where am I going with this? I found some of my papers from elementary school where we received quite a thorough education on local tradition and culture. Especially with respect to Native Americans and Wampanoag Culture. When I first got involved in politics, a teacher pointed out how Annawan was spelled wrong on our seal in front of the Selectmen’s meetings. I carried that with me for a while until I came across an actual history book and realized it was just another test. Anawan is the Americanized version of Annawan. Everyone needs some humble pie once and awhile.

Anyway, back to gardening, coincidentally I found some early papers on the Three Sisters, the gift that the natives gave to the colonists and something that was spiritually very important in their culture. In case you didn’t know, three sisters is a form of planting that is called companion planting. Corn is planted and then squash and beans are allowed to trellis up the stalk of the corn, each reaching for the sun simultaneously. It’s the perfect symbiosis.

It’s like a unit, or a squad, each plant having its own place in the situation, and duties and responsibilities to other members of the unit. The Natives also believed in circles, in terms of time, in terms of communication, and in times when we are trying to find our way. I’ve had a great deal of life experience that I don’t often share because sometimes it is uncomfortable, but I do share it when I feel like it is appropriate. I think people that struggle often have the tendency to cannibalize one another, and we could do better and accomplish more if we could support each other, much like the symbiosis of the Three Sisters. Each was an individual and respected for their own properties, and they could not succeed without one another.

So as you get your seed catalogs I urge you to think of the Three Sisters and perhaps consider it on your planting schedule. Since I cannot grow anything myself I rely on our local farms, and I am looking forward to stopping by the Corn Crib this summer. I am in the process of cooking my way through Ruth Handy’s recipe book which is delicious! Like an ode to Julia Child, but more local and less butter. Which is a good thing for me.

We are in hardiness zone 6A, so if you are starting your own plants keep this in mind. Simple shop lights, with a cool and warm bulb can mimic sunlight, though the plants get a little leggy, it’s a cheap way to start seeds. And remember to harden off your plants. I recommended Mother Earth News for guidance. John Scheepers is my favorite seed catalog. How fortunate we are to live in a place where we can garden, and not have to pay for water to irrigate!

Happy Planting!

Laura Dias Samsel

Frost Gallery

Cold air Came last night, Weaving tapestries Of white. None are shaped The same. Windows Hold them In their frames. Woven tapestries Make each room A gallery.

Thank you, Don Gardner Seekonk

Inside This Issue

Business Directory......................68 Church News..............................54 Classifieds...............................67 Club Announcements.................29 Events....................................35 Food & Dining..............................60 Healthy Living.............................62 Letters...................................5 Library...................................... Blanding.......................43 Seekonk.......................40 Love is in the Air..........................56 Obituaries................................64 People...................................39 Rehoboth COA............................52 Rehoboth Ramblings..................10 Rehoboth Town News.................12 School News..............................44 Scouts...................................33 Seekonk Human Services..........53 Seekonk Town News...................23 Sour Grapes...............................58 State House................................51

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The Letters to the Editor and opinion articles do not reflect the views of the staff of The Rehoboth Reporter. It is not our intent to take sides on any issues, but to present all points of view.

To All of Those Who Donated to the Rehoboth Animal Shelter for the Betty White Challenge

I want to thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness.All donations will be used strictly for the welfare of the animals of the shelter. Rob Johnson Rehoboth Animal Control Officer

Cold Weather Reminder for Our Pets

Cold weather can pose serious problems for our pets. Our pets have many of the same needs as we do.

Antifreeze is very poisonous to animals. The sweet odor and taste attracts both dogs and cats and even a few licks could be fatal. Be sure to properly dispose of empty containers and clean up spills immediately.

Pay extra attention to your pet’s feet during the winter. Snow or ice can become packed between the pads. Wipe your pet’s paws after a jaunt outside and use sand on icy areas instead of salt or chemicals.

Seeking warmth on a cold day, cats can crawl underneath your car and rest between the hood and engine. Remember to honk your horn or knock on the hood before starting your car.

Older animals chill easily. They shouldn’t be left outside for long. If they have a coat or sweater, have them wear it when they go out to potty.

If you see any animals that need help, call your animal control officer or police.

Please take care of your pets. They depend on us to keep them warm and safe. Thank you, Karen Ahern-Rehoboth, MA

Running for School Committee in Seekonk

Over the past two years, we’ve all embraced the challenges of Covid-19, and the changes it has brought upon our lives. I can admit that during this time, I learned a valuable lesson; that I blindly entrusted our educational system to fulfill the needs of all of our children. This is not to say that our system does a bad job. On the contrary, overall we have a great structure of educators who work hard at teaching our children, and their hard work does not go un-noticed.

During the spring of 2020, when in-school learning ended and our children were sent home for the remainder of the year, my wife worked diligently to find resources online to provide continuing education to our children. It was at this point where we observed our son struggling with the work we provided him.

Without going too far into detail, he had fallen two grades behind in reading. While he had received interventions over the years, the depth of the problem was never really addressed to us. The interventions alone would not be enough. We sought private assistance outside the school system, which ultimately confirmed our beliefs; our son needed more help. I hadn’t realized the depth of this issue originally, and ultimately lay the blame on myself for not catching it sooner. I will no longer be blind to the problems we face as parents, the challenges our children face, and many other parents/children face here in our school system.

Interventions are a great tool to help a child who has fallen slightly behind. The question becomes how long do we implement these lower level interventions before realizing there is a larger issue at hand, and an IEP may be necessary to help a child reach their full potential? This is a question I think plagues our current system, as there doesn’t seem to be a structure set to identify when a child has fallen too far behind. I believe this problem in our educational system revolves around “ No Child Left Behind “, and it’s irony. It’s become more of a “ kick the can down the road “, in many cases having the exact opposite of it’s original intention. And it leads me to wonder how many other parents/children find themselves in the same position.

Our son has since been placed in an IEP, and has made outstanding progress. I cannot stress enough the value of our teachers on the front line, who work in these teams to help children who are struggling. Through his hard work and their excellent instruction, he is making great progress.

Through attending School Committee meetings, I can say I have some grave concerns with our current educational system. There seems to be many gray areas we are entering in this system when it comes to our children, fear and control tactics being utilized regarding Covid-19, and new courses of instruction being added to our curriculum without further information as to what said instruction entails.

This ultimately leads me to where I stand here today. My name is Kyle Juckett, and I’ve been a resident of Seekonk for the past 10 years. I’m a father of three children here in our school system, a husband to an amazing wife, and a police officer. Continued on page 8...

In addition to some of the issues stated above that I’d like to address if given the opportunity to serve this community, I hope that with my experience as a police officer, I can help assist with school safety, and assist in any way as a bridge between our wonderful Police Department and the School System.

I wish to serve every parent and child here in our community, and will do everything in my power to fight for the best educational system and levels of support for our children here in this town. I will fight for curriculum that is well defined, within the scope of the educational system, and is in the best interest of our children’s futures. I will fight for our children’s rights, and not kneel to fear. Respectfully, Kyle Juckett, School Committee Candidate April 2022

Running for Seekonk School Committee

Hi my name is Andrea Rosseter, and i’m running for school committee. This is my first time running for public service, and since I’ve lived here for only four years I thought I’d tell you a bit about myself, and my reasons for running. Professionally I have over two decades of experience in retail management from mom & pop to big box environments. I am well accustomed to multi-million dollar operational budgets, setting policies, and creating/performing evaluations. During my tenure I have worked with thousands of individuals to attain common goals, and welcome differing thoughts, and opinions. There are 2 major lessons I have learned throughout both involving information. The first is the need for Level of Service Analysis. It is a priority to learn the perceptions of not only the teachers, but the students, families, and our community. The second lesson is the dissemination, and context of information itself. Governmental agencies need transparency, but what is the use of a list of laws, numbers, anagrams, or initialisms without understanding them in context. I want everyone who desires to know the ins-and-outs of our school system to have a firm understanding. In short I not only want to hear what all of us have to Our family treating your family for generations say, I want us to be informed. Our system derives 75% of its operational budget from our municipal taxes, it is not only our money, but also our youth. On a personal level a number of years ago by living modestly I was able to switch from my chosen career to retail merchandising. This allowed me the time to care for not only my son, but also my parents and Uncle. I have since lost my Father and Uncle, but still care for my Mother presently. My Mother was an educator, it was her love and calling. During a discussion she talked about her dissatisfaction with the current state of our system. This began my examination, trying to figure out what could be so wrong. Clearly a gear is failing to turn for both teachers and students. I really did not know what went into it. My son who is in seventh now, has always had an IEP, and with great teams, his will, and my advocacy Complimentary Consultations he has thrived. So 3 years ago I began to study laws, policies and budgets, and started attending SC meetings. I thought

Flexible & Affordable Payment Options heavily on my son’s IEP, and how that has changed outcomes for him. I believe it has

Current State of the Art Technology afforded him not a set of different expectations, but an opportunity to meet them Invisalign & Braces for Adults and Children as an individual. As the granddaughter of Portuguese immigrants I staunchly believe in the individual, and the promise of opportunity that America gives. I’d love to see that Providing Orthodontic care in promise fulfilled for our youth, and mitigate

South Attleboro / Seekonk / Vineyard Haven whatever is holding our educators back from fully enjoying their calling. (508) 761-5230 / (508) 336-3066 / (508) 693-3766 Thank you for sharing your time with me. Andrea Rosseter WWW.GEORGEFAMILYORTHODONTICS.COM School Committee Candidate April 2022

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