Dear Chesterbrook Academy Families,
The holiday season is upon us and this is the time for GIVING, so please get involved with our “TOYS FOR TOTS” program. This is an opportunity to teach our children about the true holiday spirit. We are so excited to be able to make a difference locally this holiday season.
The collection will run from December 1st through December 18th. The sky is the limit with this outreach. All gifts must be unwrapped and placed in the box located in the school lobby. We need to collect all of the gifts by December 18th.
On Thursday, December 17th students ages 2-5 years will participate in the BOOK EXCHANGE. Please bring an unwrapped, age appropriate book with the cost of a $5.00 limit.
Reminders:
School Safety- Please Do NOT allow others to enter the building after you have entered the building code unless you know they are a current parent! We have changed the building code and the building code should not be shared with others. This includes school age children.
Extra Clothes: Be sure to provide your child with extra clothing, including shoes. Items can be stored in your child’s cubby. Also, check the clothes often to make sure everything still fits and is still seasonally appropriate. For our POTTY TRAINING friends – please provide an extra set of socks and shoes.
Weather and School Delays or Closing: To keep yourself updated with school delays, closings or schedule changes due to weather, please ensure that we have your accurate email address. You will be notified via email of any delays or closings. You can also visit our school website at
http://gainesville.chesterbrookacademy.com
or call the school at 703-753-8832
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, 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
Dear Chesterbrook Academy Families,
The holiday season is upon us and this is the time for GIVING, so please get involved with our “TOYS FOR TOTS” program. This is an opportunity to teach our children about the true holiday spirit. We are so excited to be able to make a difference locally this holiday season.
The collection will run from December 1st through December 18th. The sky is the limit with this outreach. All gifts must be unwrapped and placed in the box located in the school lobby. We need to collect all of the gifts by December 18th.
On Thursday, December 17th students ages 2-5 years will participate in the BOOK EXCHANGE. Please bring an unwrapped, age appropriate book with the cost of a $5.00 limit.
Reminders:
School Safety- Please Do NOT allow others to enter the building after you have entered the building code unless you know they are a current parent! We have changed the building code and the building code should not be shared with others. This includes school age children.
Extra Clothes: Be sure to provide your child with extra clothing, including shoes. Items can be stored in your child’s cubby. Also, check the clothes often to make sure everything still fits and is still seasonally appropriate. For our POTTY TRAINING friends – please provide an extra set of socks and shoes.
Weather and School Delays or Closing: To keep yourself updated with school delays, closings or schedule changes due to weather, please ensure that we have your accurate email address. You will be notified via email of any delays or closings. You can also visit our school website at
http://gainesville.chesterbrookacademy.com
or call the school at 703-753-8832
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, 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