A Message From the Principal:
Dear Parents,
This month, we celebrate our youngest learners during the week of the young child.
Important Dates
- March 30 thru April 3 – Kindergarten and Fairfax County CLOSED – CBA Open for Spring Break Camp – School Agers
- April 20-24 – Week of the Young Child – see event details below
- April 22 – Earth Day
Administration Team: Maria Murphy, Principal maria.murphy@nlcinc.com, and Amanda Canfield, Assistant Principal amanda.jones@nlcinc.com, are here to help with any questions.
Thank you for your continued support. We are looking forward to an exciting year here at CBA. Please let us know if you have any questions, we are here to support you and your family through the new school year transitions. The teachers and administration are always available either via phone, email or in person to address any concerns that you may have.
Reminders
Ancillary Programs: We have some fun ancillary programs scheduled for the fall. Joy of Dance will be holding a dance class on Tuesday. Jr. Elite Fitness is holding a rotatsports class on Wednesday and a yoga class on Thursday. Our Happy Feet soccer program will be on Friday.
Medication Policy: We do not accept any over the counter medication unless it is prescribed from the doctor. All medication on site must have the original box from the pharmacy, a current Medication Administration Consent Form and a parent signature. If we do not have all the information required then we are unable to keep medication on site. There is a medication consent form checklist that can be referred to if your child needs medication on site.
Sign In & Out Policy: Children must be signed in and out every time you bring your child to and from school. Classroom Sign In/Out Sheets are in binders, on podiums, in the front of each building. Please make sure to walk children back to their classroom and make sure a teacher acknowledges their arrival in the classroom before you leave the building.
Drop Off and Pick Up Locations: Between the hours of 9 am to 4 pm your child will be in their classroom the majority of the time and can be dropped off and picked up there. Before care begins in the Technology Room and then moves to the Beginner/Intermediate Classroom (Room 3) around 8 am. Beginner, Intermediate and Pre-K A children can be dropped off in the Intermediate Classroom at 8:45 am. At 8:45 am children in Pre-K B or Kindergarten can be dropped off in the Kindergarten Classroom (Room 7). Beginner, Intermediate and Pre-K classes will be in the Pre-K A Classroom (Room 4) or on the front playground from 4:15 pm until 5:30 pm. For after care, school-age children will follow their calendar. At 5:30 pm all children will be in the Main Office or on the front playground.
Parking: Please note the importance of driving slowly in our parking lot. We know that traffic is frustrating, but please be aware of your speed and be attentive. Also, the circle driveway around our school is for work vehicles only, due to the number of children playing in the area please avoid driving around the school. Do not park in our fire lane or our handicap parking without a legal tag.
Operating Hours: The school operates from 9 am to 4 pm. We offer before care from 7 am to 9 am and we offer after care from 4 pm to 6 pm. If your child does not currently participate in before or after care, and you are interested in enrollment, please see the front office. If you are late picking up, there is a charge of $5 per minute.
GAP Camp (School-age): GAP camp is available for school-age children during most days that the Fairfax County Public Schools are closed. Drop in rates are $71 a day and include before and after care. Our three day rate is $185 and a full week is $270. Enrolled children have a $45 drop in fee.
Payment: We would like to review the payment requirements. Payments are made payable to Chesterbrook Academy or CBA. Payments are due on the first on the month and are considered late the following day by noon. Late fees will be charged in the event of a late payment in the amount of $25. Our ACH program is a great way to never write a check again! Also, please note that we bill in 10 installments, the last installment in the month of June, even though classes end on June 19, 2015.
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
School Mission Statement: “Chesterbrook Academy provides a nurturing and caring environment which allows our students to thrive emotionally and socially, while implementing our sound curriculum to create lifelong learners.”
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April News
A Message From the Principal:
Dear Parents,
This month, we celebrate our youngest learners during the week of the young child.
Important Dates
Administration Team: Maria Murphy, Principal maria.murphy@nlcinc.com, and Amanda Canfield, Assistant Principal amanda.jones@nlcinc.com, are here to help with any questions.
Thank you for your continued support. We are looking forward to an exciting year here at CBA. Please let us know if you have any questions, we are here to support you and your family through the new school year transitions. The teachers and administration are always available either via phone, email or in person to address any concerns that you may have.
Reminders
Ancillary Programs: We have some fun ancillary programs scheduled for the fall. Joy of Dance will be holding a dance class on Tuesday. Jr. Elite Fitness is holding a rotatsports class on Wednesday and a yoga class on Thursday. Our Happy Feet soccer program will be on Friday.
Medication Policy: We do not accept any over the counter medication unless it is prescribed from the doctor. All medication on site must have the original box from the pharmacy, a current Medication Administration Consent Form and a parent signature. If we do not have all the information required then we are unable to keep medication on site. There is a medication consent form checklist that can be referred to if your child needs medication on site.
Sign In & Out Policy: Children must be signed in and out every time you bring your child to and from school. Classroom Sign In/Out Sheets are in binders, on podiums, in the front of each building. Please make sure to walk children back to their classroom and make sure a teacher acknowledges their arrival in the classroom before you leave the building.
Drop Off and Pick Up Locations: Between the hours of 9 am to 4 pm your child will be in their classroom the majority of the time and can be dropped off and picked up there. Before care begins in the Technology Room and then moves to the Beginner/Intermediate Classroom (Room 3) around 8 am. Beginner, Intermediate and Pre-K A children can be dropped off in the Intermediate Classroom at 8:45 am. At 8:45 am children in Pre-K B or Kindergarten can be dropped off in the Kindergarten Classroom (Room 7). Beginner, Intermediate and Pre-K classes will be in the Pre-K A Classroom (Room 4) or on the front playground from 4:15 pm until 5:30 pm. For after care, school-age children will follow their calendar. At 5:30 pm all children will be in the Main Office or on the front playground.
Parking: Please note the importance of driving slowly in our parking lot. We know that traffic is frustrating, but please be aware of your speed and be attentive. Also, the circle driveway around our school is for work vehicles only, due to the number of children playing in the area please avoid driving around the school. Do not park in our fire lane or our handicap parking without a legal tag.
Operating Hours: The school operates from 9 am to 4 pm. We offer before care from 7 am to 9 am and we offer after care from 4 pm to 6 pm. If your child does not currently participate in before or after care, and you are interested in enrollment, please see the front office. If you are late picking up, there is a charge of $5 per minute.
GAP Camp (School-age): GAP camp is available for school-age children during most days that the Fairfax County Public Schools are closed. Drop in rates are $71 a day and include before and after care. Our three day rate is $185 and a full week is $270. Enrolled children have a $45 drop in fee.
Payment: We would like to review the payment requirements. Payments are made payable to Chesterbrook Academy or CBA. Payments are due on the first on the month and are considered late the following day by noon. Late fees will be charged in the event of a late payment in the amount of $25. Our ACH program is a great way to never write a check again! Also, please note that we bill in 10 installments, the last installment in the month of June, even though classes end on June 19, 2015.
From the Education Department
Appreciating the Wonders of Mother Nature
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:
BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3):
INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4):
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5):
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
School Mission Statement: “Chesterbrook Academy provides a nurturing and caring environment which allows our students to thrive emotionally and socially, while implementing our sound curriculum to create lifelong learners.”