From the Principal’s Office:
‘Tis the season to be jolly at Chesterbrook Academy of Exton! The staff and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We would like to thank you for being a part of the Chesterbrook family and wish you a great holiday season!
We will be hosting a holiday breakfast with a special visitor from the North Pole at our Elementary School located in West Chester. We will be gathering with 3 of our sister schools for a big event! We hope you can come out on Saturday, December 12th, for breakfast!
Important Dates:
Friday, December 11th- Polar Express Day! Wear PJs to school!!!
Saturday, December 12th- Winter Wonderland Breakfast at CBA Elementary School
Wednesday, December 16th- Holiday Sweater Day! Fa la la la la, la la la la! Dress to impress in your favorite holiday sweater or attire. We want to see those Santa hats and elf socks worn loud and proud. The crazier, the better!
Friday, December 18th- Class Parties
Thursday, December 24th- SCHOOL CLOSES at 3PM in observance of Christmas Eve. Be sure to make arrangements to have your child picked up promptly by this time.
Friday, December 25th- SCHOOL CLOSED in observance of Christmas Day.
Days are cooler, please bring in a seasonal change of clothes for your children. Please remember to label your child’s clothing, jackets, hats, mittens, bottles, nap items and sippy cups to avoid confusion of items being sent home with another family.
Please do not leave your children unattended in the building. There are areas in which children are not allowed to enter (kitchen, laundry room, adult bathroom, etc.) for safety reasons.
The sign in and out binder on the front desk is another way we keep your children safe. Noting the times your children arrive and leave helps us track which adult brought or picked up the child. Our teachers also keep records of attendance in the classrooms, so please make sure your child’s teacher acknowledges you at drop off or pick up; especially when picking your children up from the playground areas. Thank you for helping to keep our children safe.
For Parents:
When is Chesterbrook Academy Closed? Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day and 4th of July
We will also close early on Christmas Eve 3:00 pm.
Withdraw Policy: In order to withdraw your child from school, four weeks notice must be given (per the tuition policy). If you are withdrawing for any period beyond 3 weeks, your spot may be secured by paying the registration fee ($80). If the registration fee is not paid prior to your withdraw, your child’s spot is not guaranteed upon your return. All withdraws must be made in writing.
According to DPW, children are allowed to be here for up to ten hours per day. Any time beyond those ten hours will result in additional charges.
Vacation Credits: Families are allotted one week’s worth of vacation credit per fiscal year (July 1-June 30). This credit is used for a Monday-Friday week when your child will not be in the building. Your family must be enrolled for 6 months prior to being eligible for the vacation credit! Please remember: 2 Weeks notice must given in order to take advantage of this credit.
Wellness Policy: According to the parent handbook we will send children home for the following reasons. We also reserve the right to send a child home for any signs of communicable diseases:
Fever 100.5 or higher
Vomiting
Diarrhea (reoccurring)
Cough/Sore Throat
Fussy, cranky, excessive crying
Head lice
Unknown rash
A child must be 24 hour symptom and medicine free in order to return to school.
Parking Lot Safety: Please maintain a safe driving speed through the parking lot at all times. Please do not leave your car running in the parking lot. Please do not sit in the parking lot on your cell phones, as space is extremely limited. Please do not allow your child to be unattended in the parking lot at any time.
From the Education Department
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, Corduroyby 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
From the Principal’s Office:
‘Tis the season to be jolly at Chesterbrook Academy of Exton! The staff and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We would like to thank you for being a part of the Chesterbrook family and wish you a great holiday season!
Important Dates:
Friday, December 11th- Polar Express Day! Wear PJs to school!!!
Saturday, December 12th- Winter Wonderland Breakfast at CBA Elementary School
Wednesday, December 16th- Holiday Sweater Day! Fa la la la la, la la la la! Dress to impress in your favorite holiday sweater or attire. We want to see those Santa hats and elf socks worn loud and proud. The crazier, the better!
Friday, December 18th- Class Parties
Thursday, December 24th- SCHOOL CLOSES at 3PM in observance of Christmas Eve. Be sure to make arrangements to have your child picked up promptly by this time.
Friday, December 25th- SCHOOL CLOSED in observance of Christmas Day.
Days are cooler, please bring in a seasonal change of clothes for your children. Please remember to label your child’s clothing, jackets, hats, mittens, bottles, nap items and sippy cups to avoid confusion of items being sent home with another family.
Please do not leave your children unattended in the building. There are areas in which children are not allowed to enter (kitchen, laundry room, adult bathroom, etc.) for safety reasons.
The sign in and out binder on the front desk is another way we keep your children safe. Noting the times your children arrive and leave helps us track which adult brought or picked up the child. Our teachers also keep records of attendance in the classrooms, so please make sure your child’s teacher acknowledges you at drop off or pick up; especially when picking your children up from the playground areas. Thank you for helping to keep our children safe.
For Parents:
When is Chesterbrook Academy Closed? Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day and 4th of July
We will also close early on Christmas Eve 3:00 pm.
Withdraw Policy: In order to withdraw your child from school, four weeks notice must be given (per the tuition policy). If you are withdrawing for any period beyond 3 weeks, your spot may be secured by paying the registration fee ($80). If the registration fee is not paid prior to your withdraw, your child’s spot is not guaranteed upon your return. All withdraws must be made in writing.
According to DPW, children are allowed to be here for up to ten hours per day. Any time beyond those ten hours will result in additional charges.
Vacation Credits: Families are allotted one week’s worth of vacation credit per fiscal year (July 1-June 30). This credit is used for a Monday-Friday week when your child will not be in the building. Your family must be enrolled for 6 months prior to being eligible for the vacation credit! Please remember: 2 Weeks notice must given in order to take advantage of this credit.
Wellness Policy: According to the parent handbook we will send children home for the following reasons. We also reserve the right to send a child home for any signs of communicable diseases:
Fever 100.5 or higher
Vomiting
Diarrhea (reoccurring)
Cough/Sore Throat
Fussy, cranky, excessive crying
Head lice
Unknown rash
A child must be 24 hour symptom and medicine free in order to return to school.
Parking Lot Safety: Please maintain a safe driving speed through the parking lot at all times. Please do not leave your car running in the parking lot. Please do not sit in the parking lot on your cell phones, as space is extremely limited. Please do not allow your child to be unattended in the parking lot at any time.
From the Education Department
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, Corduroyby 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