A Message From the Principal:

April Showers Bring May Flowers!  I hope we do not see too many rain showers or snow showers as we enter into the month of April.  The children have been enjoying their outside time and the adults have as well.  Lots of planting and talk about springtime seasonal changes have been happening in our classrooms throughout the building.  We have been creating very vibrant and colorful Evidence of Learning Boards to share the student’s skills and creativity.  Visit our entrance lobby to see some Lima Bean plants sprouting, planted by our Intermediate Room.

April is filled with many wonderful activities for children and their families. Here are the highlights:

• April 1st – Lifetouch Portrait Day
• April 3rd – Spring Egg Hunt
• April 8th – Kindermusik Class Begins
• April 11 – Week of the Young Child Activities, see calendar for details
• April 15th – Ice Cream Social and Art Night 5:00 to 6:30 PM
• April 22nd – Earth Day and LadyBug Release 10:00 AM

Please remember to bring in an extra full set of clothing for your child in case of spills or accidents.  If you have borrowed any extra clothing please wash and return.  Please bring in a spare pair of rain boots or old shoes to play on the playground.  Until the weather warms and the ground dries out it is very wet and muddy.

Thank you for allowing us to care for your children each and everyday.
Warm Regards, Wendy Musser, Principal

For Parents & Teachers

• Just A Reminder: Our hours of operation are from 6:30am until 6:00pm. Children attending longer than a ten hour day or after 6:00pm will be billed additional fees.
• We appreciate all of your diligence when it comes to returning your child’s physical forms. We are mandated by the state to keep all current physicals on file for all enrolled students and this task is made much easier with your cooperation. Should your child have an upcoming physical schedule and you are in need of a form, simply request one from your teacher.
• Sign In / Sign Out: We know things can get a bit hectic at drop off and pick up, but it is imperative that you sign your child in and out each and everyday.
• We request than NO vehicles should be running unattended while on the school property. Also, please be sure to park in designated parking spaces.

For Parents

• Be A Chesterbrook Parent Ambassador! Tell your friends and family members, if they enroll, you can earn up to ONE FREE WEEK OF TUITION!
• Outside Play: Our children will be going outside to enjoy the fresh air, weather permitting. This is a licensing regulation, and we will not make exceptions based on a child’s health.
• Sick Policy Reminder: The purpose of our sick policy is to reduce the spread of illness among children and to encourage full recuperation of sick children before they return to school. We depend on parents to assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children. Please see Parent Handbook for more on this policy.
• Tuition is due no later than the Friday prior to the weekly preferred schedule. A $25 late fee will be charged should your tuition payment not be received by 9am on Tuesday of that week.

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