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April News

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Chesterbrook Academy Families,

I can say with confidence that spring is finally here!!   Flowers are blooming, birds are singing and there is no snow in the forecast, just April showers!!

Thank you to everyone who registered for next year.  We hope you do something fun with the money you saved!  DON’T FORGET SUMMER CAMP STARTS JUNE 22ND!!   If you have not registered, there is still time.  Our summer camp calendar will be posted on the website!

April is a fun filled month.  One of my favorite weeks is the “Week Of The Young Child”.  We have some wonderful activities planned.   We have Music Monday, Work Together Tuesday, Family Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Thankful Friday.

Music Monday is a way the children develop math, language and literacy skills and have fun while being active.  Work Together Tuesday is when the children explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills.  The kids will use different materials to build things.  Family Wednesday is dinner together at Chick – fil-A.  Artsy Thursday develops creativity, social skills and fine muscles by using their imagination and creating with their hands.  Thankful Friday is a way our children will show their appreciation of our Armed Services through posters, and letters.

Here is a look at the many events planned for April:

  • April 3  –         Easter Egg Hunt
  • April 5- 10      Kindergarten Spring Break
  • April 9            Bring Your Favorite Book To School
  • April 13-17    Week of the Young Child
  • April 22          Family Wednesday is at Chick-fil A .  We look forward to having dinner with you.
  • April 22          Earth Day – Planting flowers – Lady Bug Day
  • April 27          Parent Appreciation – Breakfast To Go
  • April 28          Dress as your favorite character

Enjoy the warm weather!  Thank you again for your support!

Ann and Sue


 Reminders:

  •  Our lunch and events calendars are posted for the month. Hard copies are also available at the front desk. Don’t forget to check the whiteboard in the front lobby for reminders when a spirit day is approaching!
  • Tuition is due no later than Monday at noon for the current week.  There will be a late fee of $25 assessed to all past due accounts Monday evening.  We do provide ACH withdraw, please inquire at the front desk if you are interested.
  • Check your child’s cubby for weather appropriate changes of clothes.

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

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