From the Principal’s Office:
February will be a busy month at Chesterbrook!
Our Valentine’s Day Parties will be on Friday February 13th for the Toddler through Kindergarten classrooms. The Kindergarten party will start at 2:00pm. The Toddler, Beginner, Intermediate, and PreK parties will start at 3:00pm. Sign ups for treats will be posted in classrooms if you would like to bring something to the party. Each classroom does their valentine’s cards a little differently, so please watch for specific information from your child’s teacher. The Infants will celebrate on Thursday February 12th.
Our classrooms will talk about and participate in activities for Dental Health Month. Our PreK and Kindergarten classes will participate in a field trip to a local dentist’s office this month. Dr Keith Evans will show the students his office and talk to them about making healthy choices. The Kindergarten class will go on Wednesday February 11th at 9:30. The PreK class will go on Wednesday February 18th at 9:30. Please make sure your child is at school no later than 9:00, so we can be on time.
Chesterbrook will be closed Monday February 16th for our Staff Inservice day. We will reopen as normal on Tuesday February 17th.
Lifetouch will be in our school on Wednesday February 25th for our Spring Picture Day. The photographers will take individual, sibling, and class pictures. Pictures will be taken throughout the morning and we will finish before nap time. We will send home photo preference pages prior to picture day. You can select a background if you would like and let the photographers know if you have any special requests. Please return these to the front desk prior to picture day. If you do not return your preference page, the photographers will choose a background for your child. We will receive printed photographs in March. You will be able to purchase portraits you would like to keep at that time. Please let us know if you have any questions.
We will be celebrating Dr Seuss’ Birthday the first week in March. Monday will be our birthday party. Wear your pajamas to school. We will be celebrating with a special afternoon snack. Tuesday we will read The Foot Book and do some silly activities with our feet. Wear your craziest socks. We will read Wacky Wednesday on Wednesday. You never know what they crazy cat will do to our school! Wear your wackiest clothes. Thursday we will be reading Green Eggs and Ham and eating the infamous green eggs and ham for our morning snack. (For those of us who don’t like green eggs and ham we will be offering another snack as well). How much green can you wear on Thursday? We will read The Cat in the Hat and make red and white hats just like the Cat wears! Help us celebrate this fun week to support early childhood literacy.
Just in case we see some yucky weather this month, school closings will be announced on AM 1230 and FM 101.5. We will also update the school’s voicemail and website as soon as possible. We will send an email announcement if we have to close due to weather conditions. We always try to stay open, but will keep everyone’s safety as our number one priority. Our parking lot and walkways can get slick when they are wet or have snow on them. Please use extra caution when driving or walking in the school parking lot. We have a company that plows, shovels, and salts, but there can still be slick spots. We continue to take the children outside each day as long as the wind chill is above 30 degrees. In the winter, germs pass easily from one person to another due to the amount of time people spend together in small, heated spaces. When we go outside, we avoid having to re-breathe the germs of the group, therefore reducing the chance of spreading those germs. Daily outdoor play also gives children an opportunity for a change in environment, a balance in play and routine, and gross motor development activities. Children will feel refreshed after going outdoors to enjoy fresh air and burn energy. We are safe when going outside by helping children get bundled up in appropriate winter gear. Outdoor time is limited based on the temperature and weather conditions. Because of the importance of children spending times outdoor during the fall and winter months, we do have to require a doctor’s note if children are not able to participate in the daily outdoor activities. Please be sure to bring appropriate clothing including coats, hats, boots, and gloves for your child.
We also try to keep children healthy during the colder months by following the DCFS illness policy. We are required to send children home when they have signs of communicable colds, flus, and other illnesses. Children may not return to school until they have been symptom free for 24 hours. We understand missing work can be difficult, but we appreciate your help keeping all our children as healthy as possible this winter. If you have any questions about whether or not your child should attend school, pelase call us and we will work through it with you.
As fruits and vegetables season is ending, we will make some changes to our menu as needed. We will continue to incorporate as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible throughout the colder months. We may have to make menu changes due to the availability and quality of the products. As always, we strive to offer the most nutritious and varied menu while ensuring the children are trying new foods and filling their tummies throughout the day.
Let’s make it a great month!
~ Stacy & Vikki
Coming Up
- Feb 2 ~ Please return your Links to Learning folders
- Feb 6 ~ Dist 87 School Day Out
- Feb 11 ~ Kindergarten dentist office field trip 9:30, Unit 5 Late Start
- Feb 12 ~ Infant Valentine’s Day Party
- Feb 13 ~ Valentine’s Day Parties
- 2:00 Kindergarten
- 3:00 Toddler, Beginner, Intermediate, PreK
- Feb 16 ~ President’s Day- Chesterbrook Closed for Inservice
- Feb 18 ~ PreK dentist office field trip 9:30
- Feb 25 ~ Lifetouch Spring Picture Day, Unit 5 Late Start
- Feb 27 ~ Links to Learning folders go home
- Mar 2 ~ Please return your Links to Learning folders
- Mar 2-6 ~ Dr Seuss Week
- Monday- Wear your pajamas
- Tuesday- Crazy sock day
- Wednesday- Wear your wacky clothes
- Thursday- Green day
- Friday- Cat in the Hat day
- Mar 11 ~ Unit 5 Late Start
- Mar 20 ~ Dist 87 1/2 day
- Mar 23-27 ~ Kindergarten, Unit 5, & Dist 87 Spring Break
- Mar 31 ~ Links to Learning folders go home
- Apr 1 ~ Please return your Links to Learning folder
- Apr 3 ~ Unit 5, Dist 87 School Day Out
- Apr 13-17 ~ Week of the Young Child at Chesterbrook
- Apr 15 ~ Unit 5 Late Start
- Apr 20 ~ Dist 87 School Day Out
- Apr 20-24 ~ Kindergarten Student Achievement Testing
- Apr 24 ~ Unit 5 School Day Out
- Apr 30 ~ Links to Learning folders go home
- May 1 ~ Please return your Links to Learning folder
- May 6 ~ Unit 5 Late Start
- May 10 ~ Happy Mother’s Day
- May 25 ~ Chesterbrook Closed- Memorial Day
- May 29 ~ Links to Learning folders go home
From the Education Team
Learning About the Uses and Benefits of Technology
Children today have many opportunities to interact with technology for entertainment value and learning. Most often we think of children using computer technology, including handheld devices loaded with games, books, music and movies. In moderation, these devices can aid in children’s learning and development.
Within our academic curriculum, we involve children in activities and reflection on ways that technology can improve our understanding of the world around us, help us do our jobs, and make the world a better place. We help children see how the understanding of science and math moves technology forward, and that someday they too might create new and improved ways to do things.
Below are a few ways that we integrate technology in our classrooms and some ideas to try at home.
INTERMEDIATES
- In the classroom: Beginning in our Intermediate program, students learn common technology vocabulary, such as mouse, keyboard and email. Students also explore the double meaning of verbs that describe online and offline activities, such as “tapping” and “surfing”.
- At home: Dot. by Randi Zuckerberg is a great book to read with your child to continue the learning at home. Dot, the main character, is a tech savvy little girl who leaves her electronic devices at home while she taps, swipes and shares in the real world.
PRE-K
- In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to use technology as a tool to express themselves. For example, students use a camera to take photos of seasonal changes outdoors and write what they observed in their journal. This activity promotes creativity and provides a fun opportunity to practice writing skills.
- At home: Allow your child to explore his world using digital photography tools. Ask him to describe his photos and explain why he chose those objects or locations to photograph. Encourage him to use descriptive language and emotion vocabulary.
In summary, we provide numerous opportunities for children to explore technology in our classrooms. Through these activities, children become excited to use technology educationally, and are better prepared to use technology in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education
For Parents & Teachers
We would love to give you a free week of tuition! All you have to do is refer a new family to our school and once they have been enrolled for 90 days, we will give your child a free week! It’s an easy way for you to save a little money this year. Please see us for more information on our parent referral program.
When there are changes in your contact information, please stop by the front desk to update your info. We need to keep up-to-date information of cell and work phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts. Also, we are required to have an updated physical and immunization record every 2 years.
Tuition is due every Friday by noon for the following week. You can drop your check made payable to Chesterbrook in the locked tuition box at the front desk. Payments received after 12pm on Monday will receive a $25 late fee. We accept personal checks and money orders. You may also sign up for the automatic payment program, which allows us to automatically collect weekly tuition from your bank account. The program is simple to sign up and safe to use. Stop by the front desk for more information and authorization forms.
Please be sure to park in a parking space in our parking lot. Parking in front of the gazebo makes it very difficult for others in our parking lot. Thank you for helping us ensure the safety of all of our children and families while in our parking lot. Please also help us save the handicap spot for those with appropriate designation.
Parents of School Agers… If your child will not be riding the bus after school, please contact us no later than 2pm. You can also fill out the clipboard at the front desk next to the tuition box. This helps keep us on schedule and ensures everyone is picked up in a timely manner.
Please remember to sign your child in and out every day as this is necessary for dcfs. Sign in and out sheets are located in each classroom. All students need to be signed in and out by a parent or approved person age 16 or older.
We love celebrating our students especially on their birthdays. If you would like to bring treats for your child’s class, please remember we are a nut free school. We do not serve any items that contain nuts, nut oil, or was made in the same factory as nuts. Thank you for helping keep our students safe.
We are participating in the Box Tops program and the Campbell’s Labels for Education program this year. The programs are very easy to use and all our families do to participate is collect box tops and Campbell’s labels. We will then use them to purchase new items for our school. Last year, we purchased new items for our Kindergarten class and new science items for each classrroom. You can drop the labels off to the front desk at anytime during the school year.
Each month, you will receive a Scholastic Book order form in your child’s cubby. We earn points from each purchase and will use the points to purchase items such as books, stories on CD, teacher resource books, and other literature items for our school. If you would like to order, you can pay online or drop your check made payable to Scholastic into the tuition box.
February News
From the Principal’s Office:
February will be a busy month at Chesterbrook!
Our Valentine’s Day Parties will be on Friday February 13th for the Toddler through Kindergarten classrooms. The Kindergarten party will start at 2:00pm. The Toddler, Beginner, Intermediate, and PreK parties will start at 3:00pm. Sign ups for treats will be posted in classrooms if you would like to bring something to the party. Each classroom does their valentine’s cards a little differently, so please watch for specific information from your child’s teacher. The Infants will celebrate on Thursday February 12th.
Our classrooms will talk about and participate in activities for Dental Health Month. Our PreK and Kindergarten classes will participate in a field trip to a local dentist’s office this month. Dr Keith Evans will show the students his office and talk to them about making healthy choices. The Kindergarten class will go on Wednesday February 11th at 9:30. The PreK class will go on Wednesday February 18th at 9:30. Please make sure your child is at school no later than 9:00, so we can be on time.
Chesterbrook will be closed Monday February 16th for our Staff Inservice day. We will reopen as normal on Tuesday February 17th.
Lifetouch will be in our school on Wednesday February 25th for our Spring Picture Day. The photographers will take individual, sibling, and class pictures. Pictures will be taken throughout the morning and we will finish before nap time. We will send home photo preference pages prior to picture day. You can select a background if you would like and let the photographers know if you have any special requests. Please return these to the front desk prior to picture day. If you do not return your preference page, the photographers will choose a background for your child. We will receive printed photographs in March. You will be able to purchase portraits you would like to keep at that time. Please let us know if you have any questions.
We will be celebrating Dr Seuss’ Birthday the first week in March. Monday will be our birthday party. Wear your pajamas to school. We will be celebrating with a special afternoon snack. Tuesday we will read The Foot Book and do some silly activities with our feet. Wear your craziest socks. We will read Wacky Wednesday on Wednesday. You never know what they crazy cat will do to our school! Wear your wackiest clothes. Thursday we will be reading Green Eggs and Ham and eating the infamous green eggs and ham for our morning snack. (For those of us who don’t like green eggs and ham we will be offering another snack as well). How much green can you wear on Thursday? We will read The Cat in the Hat and make red and white hats just like the Cat wears! Help us celebrate this fun week to support early childhood literacy.
Just in case we see some yucky weather this month, school closings will be announced on AM 1230 and FM 101.5. We will also update the school’s voicemail and website as soon as possible. We will send an email announcement if we have to close due to weather conditions. We always try to stay open, but will keep everyone’s safety as our number one priority. Our parking lot and walkways can get slick when they are wet or have snow on them. Please use extra caution when driving or walking in the school parking lot. We have a company that plows, shovels, and salts, but there can still be slick spots. We continue to take the children outside each day as long as the wind chill is above 30 degrees. In the winter, germs pass easily from one person to another due to the amount of time people spend together in small, heated spaces. When we go outside, we avoid having to re-breathe the germs of the group, therefore reducing the chance of spreading those germs. Daily outdoor play also gives children an opportunity for a change in environment, a balance in play and routine, and gross motor development activities. Children will feel refreshed after going outdoors to enjoy fresh air and burn energy. We are safe when going outside by helping children get bundled up in appropriate winter gear. Outdoor time is limited based on the temperature and weather conditions. Because of the importance of children spending times outdoor during the fall and winter months, we do have to require a doctor’s note if children are not able to participate in the daily outdoor activities. Please be sure to bring appropriate clothing including coats, hats, boots, and gloves for your child.
We also try to keep children healthy during the colder months by following the DCFS illness policy. We are required to send children home when they have signs of communicable colds, flus, and other illnesses. Children may not return to school until they have been symptom free for 24 hours. We understand missing work can be difficult, but we appreciate your help keeping all our children as healthy as possible this winter. If you have any questions about whether or not your child should attend school, pelase call us and we will work through it with you.
As fruits and vegetables season is ending, we will make some changes to our menu as needed. We will continue to incorporate as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible throughout the colder months. We may have to make menu changes due to the availability and quality of the products. As always, we strive to offer the most nutritious and varied menu while ensuring the children are trying new foods and filling their tummies throughout the day.
Let’s make it a great month!
~ Stacy & Vikki
Coming Up
From the Education Team
Learning About the Uses and Benefits of Technology
Children today have many opportunities to interact with technology for entertainment value and learning. Most often we think of children using computer technology, including handheld devices loaded with games, books, music and movies. In moderation, these devices can aid in children’s learning and development.
Within our academic curriculum, we involve children in activities and reflection on ways that technology can improve our understanding of the world around us, help us do our jobs, and make the world a better place. We help children see how the understanding of science and math moves technology forward, and that someday they too might create new and improved ways to do things.
Below are a few ways that we integrate technology in our classrooms and some ideas to try at home.
INTERMEDIATES
PRE-K
In summary, we provide numerous opportunities for children to explore technology in our classrooms. Through these activities, children become excited to use technology educationally, and are better prepared to use technology in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education
For Parents & Teachers
We would love to give you a free week of tuition! All you have to do is refer a new family to our school and once they have been enrolled for 90 days, we will give your child a free week! It’s an easy way for you to save a little money this year. Please see us for more information on our parent referral program.
When there are changes in your contact information, please stop by the front desk to update your info. We need to keep up-to-date information of cell and work phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts. Also, we are required to have an updated physical and immunization record every 2 years.
Tuition is due every Friday by noon for the following week. You can drop your check made payable to Chesterbrook in the locked tuition box at the front desk. Payments received after 12pm on Monday will receive a $25 late fee. We accept personal checks and money orders. You may also sign up for the automatic payment program, which allows us to automatically collect weekly tuition from your bank account. The program is simple to sign up and safe to use. Stop by the front desk for more information and authorization forms.
Please be sure to park in a parking space in our parking lot. Parking in front of the gazebo makes it very difficult for others in our parking lot. Thank you for helping us ensure the safety of all of our children and families while in our parking lot. Please also help us save the handicap spot for those with appropriate designation.
Parents of School Agers… If your child will not be riding the bus after school, please contact us no later than 2pm. You can also fill out the clipboard at the front desk next to the tuition box. This helps keep us on schedule and ensures everyone is picked up in a timely manner.
Please remember to sign your child in and out every day as this is necessary for dcfs. Sign in and out sheets are located in each classroom. All students need to be signed in and out by a parent or approved person age 16 or older.
We love celebrating our students especially on their birthdays. If you would like to bring treats for your child’s class, please remember we are a nut free school. We do not serve any items that contain nuts, nut oil, or was made in the same factory as nuts. Thank you for helping keep our students safe.
We are participating in the Box Tops program and the Campbell’s Labels for Education program this year. The programs are very easy to use and all our families do to participate is collect box tops and Campbell’s labels. We will then use them to purchase new items for our school. Last year, we purchased new items for our Kindergarten class and new science items for each classrroom. You can drop the labels off to the front desk at anytime during the school year.
Each month, you will receive a Scholastic Book order form in your child’s cubby. We earn points from each purchase and will use the points to purchase items such as books, stories on CD, teacher resource books, and other literature items for our school. If you would like to order, you can pay online or drop your check made payable to Scholastic into the tuition box.