A Message From the Principal:

Finally!! Signs of spring! I hope everyone has had an opportunity to enjoy some of this glorious weather we have received this week and for those who were lucky enough to travel, enjoyed their trip and came back safely!! We have many exciting things happening during the season so growth, including the Week of the Young Child and our “Trip to Italy!” Our theme for the month is “Earth and Outer Space.” The weekly topics will consist of:

• Week 1- “Seasons Change”
• Week 2- “Weather Watchers”
• Week 3- “Solar Systems”
• Week 4- “Going Green/Recycling and Earth”

We will be collecting recyclables (water bottles, cans, egg cartons, milk jugs/cartons, etc) all month long, please feel free to turn these items into your child’s teacher so they can engineer a recyclable creation with their class!**

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• We are currently accepting registration forms for both Karate and Art, as well as our other enrichment classes such as Dance, Soccer, and Yoga! Please sign up today!
• We have had numerous instances where a child is in need of extra clothes lately and they do not have extra clothes in their cubby. Please make sure you have 2 sets of spare clothes that are weather appropriate for your child. Underwear, pants, shirts, socks, and possibly shoes (especially if potty training) are requested!
• Vacation Requests: Our vacation request binder is located at our front office. If you have any questions regarding receiving your credit, please see someone at the front desk and we will be more than happy to help!
• Sick Policy: To ensure the health and safety of all of our children and staff, please remember to adhere to our sick policy which states: “a child must be free of all symptoms without medication for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. 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).” All of us truly appreciate your support with this matter!
• Toys from home are not permitted at school. Please refrain from allowing your child to bring in toys from home, unless it is their scheduled show and share day or a stuffed animal for nap time. Toys from home can get lost, be broken, stolen, etc… and can cause fighting among the children.
• A gentle reminder that payment is due the Friday before the following week! If payment is received after noon on Monday, a late payment fee of $25 will be assessed.

It is our commitment to support the needs of your child(ren), your family, and the school. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you always for your continued support.

Best Regards,

Jinie Kang, Principal

Donisha Missick, Assistant Principal

IMPORTANT DATES:

• 04/03- School Egg Hunt
• 04/17-Spirit Day: Dress Like a Gardener!
• April 20-24-Week of the Young Child
• 04/22-Ladybug Release (10 am-11 am)
• 04/24-Week of the Young Child Family Barbeque (4-5pm) We will provide meat/veggie burgers, parents will be asked to bring sides!
• April 27-May 1- School wide “Trip to Italy” More details to follow…
• 05/01- Parent Showcase for our school’s Trip to Italy!
• May 4-May 8- Teacher Appreciation Week! More details to follow…

From Chesterbrook Elementary

Our elementary school is a unique private school community. We provide a superior education today and a foundation for continued academic success tomorrow. We partner closely with parents to create the best understanding of each child’s strengths and opportunities. We offer personalized attention to students, without the high tuition rates you would expect for a private school of this caliber. Please contact me directly with any questions at lydia.soto@nlcinc.com or 703-404-0202

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