The Example We Set For Children

To the Editor:

Recently there has been a volley of letters from a few senior citizens with concerns and issues they are troubled about in relation to the Children’s Adventure Center. Sadly enough, most of their comments about the center are full of false information and misinformation that they have been receiving from sources they apparently trust –– how regrettable that some individuals would purposely use seniors to disseminate false and inaccurate information.

The real truth of the matter is that the Children’s Adventure Center is budgeted to receive $20,000 from the taxpayers of Newtown; the rest of their operating expenses come from parents tuition, state grants, private donations and grants, and many in-kind services. The Senior Center receives nearly a quarter of a million dollars from the Town of Newtown taxpayers and both town agencies share the same building and building services. With the help of this small assistance from the Town of Newtown, working families, who put their children in the center, are able to remain in Newtown and make significant contributions to our local tax base, our local economy, and are contributing members of our community. It is unfortunate that some of our seniors are the recipients of such much false and misleading information from others.

Seniors who want to write a letter would be well advised to come visit the Children’s Adventure Center and see for themselves how a nationally accredited, award-winning preschool with many certified teachers really conducts the serious business of preschool education. The accounting firm of Studley and White, PC, audits CAC accounts annually, submits the audit to the State of Connecticut and finds the center to be in compliance in all areas. The Children’s Adventure Center has, indeed, been a credit to the Town of Newtown for over 30 years.

Just this weekend, the Rev Mary D. Patterson in an article in a local paper wrote to “encourage senior citizens to find ways to help youth.” She wrote that her article is a call to seniors to take time to think about how they can help youth –– be one of God’s mentors by serving others. It goes without saying that the example we set for our children today by what we do and say will be reflected in the kind of adults and seniors we can expect our youth to become.

Sincerely yours,

Angela Schaedler

Board of Directors Member & Parent

11 Longview Road, Sandy Hook                                  June 18, 2002