St. Francis School Counts Its Blessings

The faculty and parents of St. Francis of Assisi School in Torrington wish to express their gratitude this Christmas by thanking first-grade teacher Patricia Rougeot, who has taught at St. Francis for 35 years. As a veteran educator, Mrs. Rougeot has the distinction of having taught two generations of several St. Francis families. Mrs. Rougeot holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph College and a Master of Arts in Reading from Central Connecticut State College. Her granddaughter Shannon is currently a second grader at St. Francis. The accompanying photo is a vignette intended to provide a glimpse into her classroom and understand her efforts to educate 6- and 7-year-olds.

She is the sort of teacher one remembers all one's life. She has high expectations. Her classroom is well organized and her rules are clear. The children are there to learn—and learn they do. But there is more. This teacher is someone who knows how to say things just the right way to captivate a child's mind. She understands that children learn by doing, by taking on challenges and responsibilities that they would not have been expected to meet even a year earlier.

And when the subject is religion, how exactly does an adult create meaningful religious learning experiences for children who are but six or seven years old? How can such a vast topic filled with so many tenets and beliefs be presented to a child in a way that will help him or her begin to develop morals, beliefs, and character? This can be accomplished by making religion a part of everyday life: by reciting the Rosary before going home each day; by making the sign of the cross with one's thumb when walking or driving by a church; by praying; by pledging; by attending mass weekly; and by lighting a daily candle in honor of Mary.

Mrs. Rougeot’s experience in the classroom has led her to understand that rituals are an important part of learning and development for children. Rituals and traditions connect children one to the other. They give them a sense of being part of a larger web of life. Rituals help our children to develop an understanding of celebration and a sense of identity. They are how we establish bonds, values, and priorities.

Whether they involve reciting the Rosary or walking five times around the parking lot each day (a strong mind begins with a strong body!), rituals are a part of life for every first grader at St. Francis.