From the Principal’s Office:

Spring has officially sprung, or has it?  We are so glad that the weather seems to be improving and we will be spending more time outdoors.  Several fun events are planned for April, which is affectionately known as Appreciation Month here at the school.  We will devote a week each to the children, parents and teachers of Chesterbrook Academy, recognizing them for all they do to make our school wonderful.

And, while we are just getting our spring underway, we’ve set our sights on summer.  Be on the lookout for information about all the exciting activities that will be happening this summer as we transition to our Summer Camp curriculum!

Your Acting Principal,

Laura Hughes

April Events:

• April 12-17 Week of the Young Child/Child Appreciation Week
• April 13th Mis-matched Monday: Wear you most mis-matched outfit to school!
• April 14th Teddy Bear Picnic: Bring your favorite stuffed bear to school for a picnic!
• April 15th  Silly Sock Day
• April 16th  Pajama Party Day
• April 19-24  Parent Appreciation Week
• April 20th  Muffins with Mom
• April 22nd Ladybug Ball and Ladybug Release Day: Wear red and black as we celebrate Earth Day and all things Ladybug!
• April 23rd  Donuts with Dad
• April 24th  Story Time with Mom and Dad
• April 26- May 1 Teacher Appreciation Week
• April 27th  Apples for the Teacher Day: Show your teachers how much you appreciate them by writing messages on special apples.
• April 29th Teacher Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by PAC

 Looking Ahead:

• May 8  Mother’s Day Tea
• May 21  Spring Show
• May 25  Memorial Day- School Closed

For Parents:

Sign In/Out:
Please remember to sign your child/ren in and out each day.  Our sign in/out binder is located on the desk in the reception area of our lobby.

Nut-Free
In a continued effort to ensure the health and safety of all of our children, we remind you that we are a peanut and nut safe school.  Please do not bring any food items to our school containing peanuts, peanut butter on nuts of any kind.  Thank you.

Illness Policy
Please take a moment to review our illness policies. A sick child must stay home where he/she is most relaxed and comfortable.  Children may be sent home if they have any specific symptoms as listed below.  In addition, a child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school.  These symptoms are as follows:

1. A fever of 100 degrees or more.
2. Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period.
3. Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea at school).
4. A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection.
5. A constant cough or sore throat.
6. Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/herself.
7. A skin rash, excluding diaper rash.
8. Head lice. (Note: Child must be nit-free to return to school.)
9. Symptoms of a communicable disease.
10. An eye showing redness or discharge.
11. Any discolored discharge from eyes, ears, and or nose.

Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious.  A doctor’s clearance may be requested.

With the exception of our infant population, children at Chesterbrook Academy will be involved in physical fitness activities, both indoors and outdoors, as an important part of the curriculum.  If a parent believes that his/her child is not well enough to participate, he/she will probably be more comfortable at home in more familiar surroundings.  The school is not equipped to accommodate the needs of a sick child.

School Spotlight

It’s not too late to register for Kindergarten for the fall!

Students who are five on or before September 1, 2015 are eligible for our full-day Kindergarten program as well as those students who complete a full year of Chesterbrook’s Pre-K program and turn five on or before October 16, 2015.  Please note that any child with a birthday after September 1st that attends our Kindergarten program is not guaranteed admission into a public school first grade, although they will be admitted into first grade at our Chesterbrook Elementary School located in West Chester.

Why choose a full-day Kindergarten program? During this special event you will learn full-day kindergarten facts and will also hear about research on the effects of a full-day Kindergarten program.

Did you know? We also offer transportation to the local public elementary schools for children who need care either in the morning or afternoon dependent upon their public school schedule. This is considered K-Enrichment.

If you have any questions about our Kindergarten program, please feel free to speak with me or with Catie Strauss, our Kindergarten teacher.

From the Education Department

Appreciating the Wonders of Mother Nature

Spring is here and Earth Day is right around the corner, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect children with nature and reinforce the importance of preserving and protecting the world around us.

Our Links to Learning curriculum uses hands-on activities to cultivate a deeper connection to the earth and foster academic, physical and social skill development.

Below are activities we implement in our classrooms to get children excited about nature, as well as activities and books to read with your child at home.

INFANTS/TODDLERS:

• In the classroom: Our teachers provide natural objects, such as leaves, pinecones and flowers for the children to see and touch. We help children associate words with the concrete objects they represent.
• At-home activity: Allow your child to experience different textured fruits, such as an orange, watermelon and cantaloupe. Talk about what he sees, smells, tastes and feels.
• Recommended reading: Colors from Nature from PlayBac Publishing and The Earth Book by Todd Parr

BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3):

• In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to understand interdependencies in nature. For instance, they learn that ladybugs feed on insects that are harmful to gardens, trees and shrubs. On Earth Day, many of our students have the opportunity to release ladybugs to help local gardens.
• At-home activity: Take a walk outdoors with your child and play a game of “I Spy.” Ask him point out objects found in the springtime, for example a red flower, a blue bird or a colorful butterfly.
• Recommended reading: Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli & David T. Wenzel and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4):

• In the classroom: As our Intermediates gain a greater understanding and appreciation for how living things grow, the class may adopt a pet such as a fish or bunny. Students develop math, science and language skills by measuring the pet’s food, observing the pet’s behavior and habitat, and learning new vocabulary. Research shows that when children have the opportunity to care for animals, they practice nurturing behaviors that help them interact in gentle ways with people also.
• At-home activity: Create a small garden and allow your child to help you plant and water seeds, either outdoors or indoors. Ask him to predict what the plant will look like by drawing pictures in his journal. Check the plant regularly so he can observe and measure changes in growth. Discuss the importance of watering and caring for the plant.
• Recommended reading: Our Earth by Anne Rockwell and the poem “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out!” by Shel Silverstein

PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5):

• In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to reuse recyclable materials in fun and unconventional ways. For instance, our students use cardboard boxes to create a castle, milk jug lids to sort and match, and plastic bottles to create beautiful, unique artwork.
• At-home activity: Set up a recycling station using cardboard boxes, and label each box with the words “metal”, “plastic” and “paper”. Throughout the month, ask your child to help sort your family’s recyclables by placing the items into the correct box. Explain that recycling is just one way that we can be kind to the earth. Ask him to name a few other ways, such as conserving electricity, picking up litter and planting a garden.
• Recommended reading: A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry and The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

We create a path for lifelong learning by providing numerous opportunities for children to study and explore nature. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as students transition into elementary school and beyond.

– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education