Header Image

September News

A Message From the Principal:

The end of the summer is here! We are quickly gearing up for the 2015-2016 school year.  We’ve had so much fun this summer and we can’t wait to start our educationally exciting new school year. The children will be transitioning into their new classes on Monday, August 24th.  The teachers are excited to start the new school year!

Our new playground will be installed in the next few weeks.  We are so excited about the new playground!!!

Brax Spirit Cups fundraiser is due back on Monday, August 17th.  Don’t delay in getting your orders in!

Our next Wacky Wednesday, favorite book character, will be on Wednesday, August 19th.  Come dressed as your favorite story book character and bring along a book to go along with your costume.  We will share out books with our class!

Chesterbrook Academy will be closed on Friday, August 21st, for Teacher Planning.

Remember VPK starts on Monday, August 24th with the new school year.  There will be no VPK on September 14th and September 23rd.

Chesterbrook Academy will be closed on Monday, Septemeber 7th for Labor Day.

Pictures will be on September 8th, 9th, and 10th.  Tuesday, September 8th will be classrooms 1, 2 & 3.  Wednesday, September 9th will be classrooms 4, 5, & 6.  Thursday, September 10th will be classrooms 7, 8 & 9.

Our fall Scholastic Book fair will take place the week of September 14th thru September 18th. The Book fair will be in Center Court.  We will also be hosting an online book fair during this time in order for out of town family and friends to get the opportunity to purchase items from the book fair.

September 14th and September 23rd will be non-VPK days.  We will have school-age camp on these days.  Please, sign up in advance if you would like your child to attend school-age camp so that we can make the appropriate accommodations for the children.

Parent Communication
We want to keep our parents involved and one way to do that is making sure to read the information posted on your child’s classroom’s parent board as well as checking their folder for papers to go home each day. The “ What We Learned Today” paper located on the classroom doors will also share a special activity from the class’s day. I encourage you to ask your child questions about that activity. This is a great way to get them to share their day with you. Also, always feel free to talk to the teachers at drop off/pick up or call and check in throughout the day.

Menus
Menus are located in the front office. Please feel free to see us up front with any questions that you have about the menu or ordering. All menus are due by the due date listed on the bottom of the menu. If you do not turn your menu in on time, you will need to pack lunch for your child.

Uniforms
As a reminder: All students in our intermediate and Pre-k programs are required to wear uniforms. The uniform consists of a Black Polo with the Chesterbrook Logo and Khaki bottoms. If you have already purchased the navy blue CBA polos for the fall we will allow the children to continue to wear navy blue for the school year, but as you buy new uniforms, please purchase the black ones. Please see the front desk to order uniforms.

Our school VPK hours are 9AM-12 Noon. As a part of the VPK program, the state requires that all VPK students are at school during VPK hours. For more information, please see the front desk.


Reminders

Here are a few reminders and updates to keep us on track for the rest of the school year:

  • Contact and Emergency Information: Please remember to update your information at the front desk if there are any changes.
  • Lunch Menus: are due on the due date, so that we can order from the catering company. If we don’t have your child’s lunch menu, we can’t order a lunch. Please pack a lunch for your child if you haven’t filled out a lunch menu.
  • Tuition: payments are due the 1st of each week. A $25 late fee will be applied to all tuition payments turned in after Monday of each week.
  • Late pick-up: fees apply to children picked up after 6:15 pm. There is a fee of $1 per minute after 6:15 pm as stated on your tuition fee schedule agreement.
  • Sick Policy: Children may be sent home if they have any concerning symptoms. In addition, a child must be free of all of these symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can return to school. These symptoms include:
    • A Fever of 100 degrees or more
    • Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period
    • Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period
    • Symptoms of a communicable disease
    • Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/ herself
      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 illness is not contagious. ( A doctor’s clearance may be requested.) Please help us keep all of our children healthy by following these rules.
      If you have any questions or concerns please let us know. You can talk with your child’s teacher or any one of us in the front office. Also, you can email me at melody.mcdonald@nlcinc.com or call (954) 749-1333. As always my door is always open, please feel free to stop by, email me or call with any questions, concerns or comments. Our goal is to provide each family with a fulfilling educational experience.
  • Parent Ambassador Referral Program: Spread the word about Chesterbrook Academy and save on your child’s tuition. Stop by the front Office for more details. Chesterbrook Academy has six locations in South Florida: Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Sunrise, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie and Palm Beach Gardens.
  • Our Mission: Chesterbrook Academy- Sunrise provides a safe and warm family environment in a rich academic setting that focuses on fun and creative hands-on learning for each individual student.  Our school promotes self-expression, yet maintains a structured program for a great head start in “life”.

To ensure that each child receives the best care possible, it is critical that parents and teachers maintain frequent and accurate communication.  Please feel free to call or stop by at any time to see how your child is doing.  We always have an open door policy.


A Message From the Education Department:

Reestablishing Routines for Your Preschooler

Maintaining Order & Staying on Track

As we reach the end of summer, now is a great time to reestablish comforting routines for your preschooler. Routines help children build self-confidence and independence, cope with transitions, and gain a better understanding of the world around them.

Our Links to Learning curriculum promotes students’ social and emotional development, which is necessary for following directions and demonstrating self-control. Our teachers focus on the importance of healthy living and safety routines in the Wellness component of our curriculum.

Here are some examples of ways we establish routines in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.

TODDLERS (ages 1-2):

In the classroom: Naptime gives children an opportunity to recharge and reboot. Our toddlers transition from napping in cribs to napping in cots. Teachers schedule naps at the same time and in the same area of the classroom every day. Soothing music is played to help toddlers wind down.

At home: Talk with your child’s teacher about the naptime routine at school. Minimize naptime battles by attempting to maintain the same routine at home.

Recommended reading: Naptime by Elizabeth Verdick

BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):

In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to learn basic self-help skills such as dressing themselves. Our Beginner students practice snaps and zippers, and are encouraged to complete basic sequences like putting on socks before shoes.

At home: Offer your child a choice during routines in order to increase his interest in the activity. For example, lay out two outfit options for him to wear. Allow him to choose the outfit he prefers. Give him ample time to dress himself before offering assistance. Praise every attempt.

Recommended reading: Let’s Get Dressed by Caroline Church

INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):

In the classroom: Teachers focus on the importance of sleep in the Wellness component of our curriculum. Students read and act out We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen. They discuss why the bear was sleeping, and why sleep is important.

At home: Create a bedtime routine for your child. For example, bathe, brush teeth, read a story, go to sleep. Follow the same sequence of events at the same time and in the same order every night.

Recommended reading: The Going-to-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):

In the classroom: Our older students follow an arrival routine at the start of every school day. They sign themselves in, say goodbye to their parents, and put away their belongings. Students learn rhymes and songs to help remind themselves what to do when they enter the classroom.

At home: Mornings are critical for setting the tone for a successful and positive day. Establish a morning routine for your child with a maximum of four steps. For example, get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, eat breakfast.

Recommended reading: Waking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield

 

Following routines helps children develop the habits of responsibility that will be crucial for their future success and well-being. Kindergarten students are expected to follow instructions, listen to their teacher and complete specific tasks. By setting routines in the preschool years, your child will be better prepared as he enters elementary school and beyond.

– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education

 

 

This entry was posted in Sunrise. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.