A Message From the Principal:

Everyone at Chesterbrook Academy is very excited that spring has finally arrived!  The children have eagerly been awaiting the opportunity to enjoy playground time again!  As the weather continues to improve, we will be spending more time outside.  The outdoors is a wonderful learning experience for all of the children.  Just imagine: our infant and toddler students experiencing the wind on their face and the texture of the grass for the first time!  Our Beginner and Intermediate students being able to care for their own little garden area and learning about what it takes for plants to grow. Our pre-k and school age students trying to predict the growth of the flowers and when the trees will have leaves again!  The outdoors is the perfect place to experience science hands-on!  Along with the opportunity for more outdoor time, comes the opportunity to get a little bit messier!  Be sure to check your child’s cubby for seasonally appropriate clothing at this time as well!

During April, we are looking forward to many exciting events.  Parents are always encouraged to join us when they can!

• Thursday, April 2: Egg Hunt 10:15: Infants/Toddlers/Beginners  10:30: Intermediates/Pre-k  4:15 K-enrich/SA
• Week of April 13 is the Week of the Young Child.  Details for specific events are posted at parent central!
• Wednesday, April 22 we will celebrate Earth Day with a Ladybug Ball and Ladybug Release at 10 am!
• Monday, April 27: We’ll celebrate Babe Ruth Day with a game of catch!

We encourage parents, grandparents and other family members to join us as a Mystery Reader on Wednesdays at 11 am!  If you would like to participate, please let Ms. Gabriella know what day you would like to bring a story to share with the children.

We have also made a few changes to our lunch menu beginning in April.  Menus are available at parent central for your reference!

Looking forward, we are excited to be planning our Summer Camp events!  Summer camp is for children who have finished Kindergarten through entering sixth grade in the fall.  Summer camp packets are available in the office if you are interested!  Be sure to sign up to reserve your space for the summer!

Our priority registration for the 2015-2016 was a huge success!  Many of our current students have enrolled to join us again, and we are now looking to fill our classrooms with new families as well.  If you have not yet registered for the new school year, please see Gabriella or Brittany for more information.  Our van is also filling up quickly for our school age and Kindergarten students!  Placement on the school van is on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t miss out!

During the first week of May, we will celebrating our wonderful teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week!  Look for details in the upcoming weeks.  If there are any parents who would like to help out, please let me know!

A few reminders…

Be sure to check parent central on a daily basis!  Important school information is posted on the board and all parent communication is in your parent mailbox.  Also, please be sure to sign your child in and out of school on a daily basis.

If you need a change to your child’s schedule, please be sure to email Gabriella by Thursday of each week to update your child’s schedule for the following week.

We appreciate your support in creating an educational, engaging environment for the children on a daily basis.    If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to me.  I look forward to this exciting month ahead of us!

For Parents

• 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 the office.  They are also available near the parent mailbox folders.
• 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 outeach 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.  Refrain from parking in front of the building for this is a fire zone, no parking area.
• 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.
• Tuition is due no later than the Friday prior to the weekly preferred schedule. Hopefully no one will be billed the $25 late fee that will be charged should your tuition payment not be received by noon on the following Monday.
•  Please remember that all returned checks will be billed a $25 service charge and your account is applicable to receive an additional $25 late fee. Should this occur you will need to make money order payments in the future.

Should you have a questions please do not hesitate to ask. We thank you all for your continued cooperation.

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