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December Newsletter- 2015

happy holidays

 

 

Dear Chesterbrook Families,

I love this time of year!  It is such a happy time!  I love the look on children’s faces when they see the lights on a Christmas tree, a menorah or a kinara.  I smile when I see the long or short lists the kids are giving to Santa Claus.   The lights on houses and in shopping centers, they are my WOW moments.  I love driving around at night just so I can see how beautiful they are.  I am excited to be at Chesterbrook Academy in Moorestown during this season.

 On December 16th our pre-k and kindergarten children will be going to see the “Snow Queen” at the Ritz Theater on the White Horse Pike in Haddon Township. The bus will leave at 9:00 a.m. and return at 1:00 p.m.  The children will eat their lunch when they return to school.  The cost is $15.00 per child and $15.00 per adult who is attending.  Each child must have a permission slip and each adult must sign a Chaperone form. 

 We are excited to tell you that our pre-k and kindergarten kids are going to be working together.  Small groups of pre-k students will be spending time in the kindergarten classroom during the month of December.  Pictures and letters will go home keeping you informed of what the children are participating in.  

Our Toys For Tots Program will end on December 23rd.  You will find the box at the front of the building.  Thank you for your kindness and generosity and putting a smile of the face of children who are in need.  

The kindergarten students are collecting winter coats for all ages from infancy to adults.  The program is called Good Cause. This is a wonderful opportunity to again help those in need.  The program will end on December 14th.

REMINDERS:

  • School closings – Chesterbook Academy- Moorestown website, Channel 6, Channel 10, voicemail and email are the ways you will be informed if there is a school closing or a delay due to weather.
  • If you are taking holiday vacations and have been with us for at least 6 months, please fill out a vacation credit form to let us know.  You will find the forms at the front desk.
  • Flu shots must be given by December 31st unless there is a medical or religious reason it can’t be given. We would need confirmation for any exceptions. Flu shots are for children 6 months to 59 months.

 

                                     

                                       

                                  WEEKLY THEMES

November 30-December 4               Music Around The World

December 7-December 11               Winter Wonderland

December 14 – December 18          Celebrations

December 21 – December 25          Happy Holidays

December 28- January 1                   New Beginnings 

 WEEKLY EVENTS

December 3                                         National Cookie Day

December 6                                         Hannukah Begins at sunset

December 6                                         Miss Teresa’s Birthday

December 8                                         Holiday Dinner from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

December 16                                       Pre-K and Kindergarten Field Trip

December 18                                       Holiday Program at 3:30 p.m.

December 23                                      Pajamas, Hot Chocolate, Movie

December 24                                      Christmas Eve – School closes at 3:00 p.m.

December 25                                      Christmas Day – School Closed

December 29                                      Miss Heather Birthday

December 30                                      Miss Emily Birthday                                                             

                 

 MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, HAPPY KAWANZAA and

                                           HAPPY NEW YEAR !

                            THE CHESTERBROOK STAFF! 

 

 

 Exploring Holiday Traditions from Around the World

The holiday season is here, providing a wealth of opportunities to enrich the children’s understanding of diverse cultures and traditions around the world. In addition, our students will share their own traditions with others.

Below are age appropriate activities that we use in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.

BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):

In the classroom: As they near the age of two, children begin to recognize the sights and sounds of holidays celebrated by their family. Parents visit our classrooms to share holiday traditions, including unique books, songs and activities.

At home: Gather family photos and point out traditions, such as unwrapping presents, eating holiday dinner at grandma’s house, and making a snowman. Encourage your child to talk about what he sees in the photos.

Recommended reading: Children Around the World Celebrate Christmas by Christine Tangvald, Happy Hanukkah, Corduroy by Don Freeman, My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz

INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):

In the classroom: Children sing holiday songs from around the world and are introduced to holiday symbols that they may see in their communities, such as Christmas trees or Hanukkah menorahs.

At home: Take a drive with your child or bring him to various holiday festivals in your community. Encourage him to look for and identify holiday decorations.

Recommended reading: Christmas Around the World by Calliope Glass, Hanukkah Hop by Erica Silverman, Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna Washington

PRE-K/PRE-K2 (ages 4-5)

In the classroom: After learning about holiday traditions around the world, our older preschoolers identify countries on a globe. For example, they might learn about Diwali, the festival of lights, and then find India on the globe. They might make tamales, a dish often served on Christmas, and then find Mexico on the globe.

At home: Ask your child to help you prepare your family’s favorite holiday foods. Talk about the long-standing traditions in which these foods are rooted. For instance, you might explain, “I used to bake cookies for the holidays with my mom. Now we can start baking cookies together!”

Recommended reading: Children Just Like Me: Celebrations by Anabel Kindersley, Light the Lights: A Story about Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas by Margaret Moorman, The Story of Kwanzaa by Mary Washington

Exposing children to various holiday traditions helps them build strong social skills, establish a sense of self, and respect the differences of others as they transition into elementary school and beyond.

– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education

 

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