Thank you to all of the families who were able to come out and celebrate at our Thanksgiving luncheon this year. We are truly thankful for all of you who play such a supportive role in your child’s/children’s life experiences. With the season of being thankful and giving still upon us, we will continue to reinforce why it means more to give than to receive. We encourage you to discuss with your children the importance of recognizing those who may not be as fortunate and ways you may be able to help them.
Housing Families First Gift Drive
Chesterbrook is collecting blankets, family board games, cocoa, family movies, popcorn, and books for the families who have been assisted by Housing Families First. All donations should be dropped off in the front office by Friday, December 11th.
Santa Pictures
Santa Clause is coming to town!! Come to school dressed in festive holiday gear to have your picture taken with Santa on Thursday, December 10th, starting at 8:30am.
Pre-K Book Exchange
On Wednesday, December 16th, our Pre-K class will be hosting a holiday book exchange with our sister school in Short Pump. Each child is asked to bring in a $5 wrapped book to exchange. The children will enjoy cocoa, treats, and a holiday story.
Elf Yourself
On Friday, December 18, we will be having a school wide Elf Yourself Day! Have your child dress in their best Elf outfit! We will also be having a teacher Elf Yourself contest. Parents can vote on the teacher they think has the best Elf outfit and the winner will win a holiday treat. We hope to see some cute Elves!!
Vacation Policy Reminder
You qualify for 1 free week of tuition per year after your child has been enrolled for 6 months. Please remember we require a 2 week written notice for the use of your tuition free vacation week.
Cubbies
Please remember to check your child’s cubby frequently to make sure they have a weather appropriate change of clothes.
Food Policy
We are a Peanut free facility so remember not to bring in any outside food into the building. We do have children with severe allergies in the building so please help us to keep the children as safe as possible.
December Education Article
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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December News
Thank you to all of the families who were able to come out and celebrate at our Thanksgiving luncheon this year. We are truly thankful for all of you who play such a supportive role in your child’s/children’s life experiences. With the season of being thankful and giving still upon us, we will continue to reinforce why it means more to give than to receive. We encourage you to discuss with your children the importance of recognizing those who may not be as fortunate and ways you may be able to help them.
Housing Families First Gift Drive
Chesterbrook is collecting blankets, family board games, cocoa, family movies, popcorn, and books for the families who have been assisted by Housing Families First. All donations should be dropped off in the front office by Friday, December 11th.
Santa Pictures
Santa Clause is coming to town!! Come to school dressed in festive holiday gear to have your picture taken with Santa on Thursday, December 10th, starting at 8:30am.
Pre-K Book Exchange
On Wednesday, December 16th, our Pre-K class will be hosting a holiday book exchange with our sister school in Short Pump. Each child is asked to bring in a $5 wrapped book to exchange. The children will enjoy cocoa, treats, and a holiday story.
Elf Yourself
On Friday, December 18, we will be having a school wide Elf Yourself Day! Have your child dress in their best Elf outfit! We will also be having a teacher Elf Yourself contest. Parents can vote on the teacher they think has the best Elf outfit and the winner will win a holiday treat. We hope to see some cute Elves!!
Vacation Policy Reminder
You qualify for 1 free week of tuition per year after your child has been enrolled for 6 months. Please remember we require a 2 week written notice for the use of your tuition free vacation week.
Cubbies
Please remember to check your child’s cubby frequently to make sure they have a weather appropriate change of clothes.
Food Policy
We are a Peanut free facility so remember not to bring in any outside food into the building. We do have children with severe allergies in the building so please help us to keep the children as safe as possible.
December Education Article
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