The new year is off to an amazing start! In the month of January, our little learners were busy learning all about winter weather. They even got to experience their first blizzard! Thank you to those who participated in Inventor’s Day! How many enjoyed rubber duckie day? It was a hit with our students. As well as Fitness Day, which all our healthy champs won a medal for participation!Well from Ducks to Inventors to Healthy kids off to February we go…
In February we are looking forward to lessons on Ground Hog Day, Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, Umbrella Day Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. Our students will be making predictions on whether or not the Ground Hog will see it’s shadow and what will happen with our weather pattern! Everyone is getting ready for their Friendship Day parties and the children are learning about how to share their feelings with their friends and family members. We will be selling Friendship grams for parents, grandparents, siblings or friends to buy for each other. they will be distributed at our friendship parties.
On February 15th the school will be closed for Professional Development Day. We will be using this time to renew our first aide, CPR and fire safety certifications. We will also be doing a Links to Learning training and reviewing our emergency plans.
On February 25th Miss Tanya and Miss Ashley will dress up and read Fairy tales to the students from 930am to 11am.
Then on February 26 the Carnival comes to our school. We are looking for some parent help with this event! It is from 9am to 12pm. Come join us for the fun!
If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by my office or email me at Ashley.Pirolli@nlcinc.com
For Parents:
- Please remember that only one vacation credit is given per year (July to June). Families must be with us for six months before taking advantage of the credit.
- 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.
- Parent Referral Program: Have you heard about our Parent Referral program? If you refer a family and are mentioned on their application, we will credit you for the referral. New families who enroll part time reward you $100 off of one week of tuition and families who enroll full time reward you a FREE WEEK OF TUITION.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
This is a reminder to maintain a safe speed in the parking lot. During drop off and pick up times there are a lot of people out there so we would like to keep everyone as safe as possible. Also be reminded, there is one flow of traffic. Please keep to the right if you are trying to go around the island. This will help keep the flow of traffic going the right way as well as keep everyone moving during drop off and pick up times!
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
February News
January Events:
For Parents:
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:
A child must be 24 hour symptom and medicine free in order to return to school.
Parking Lot Safety
This is a reminder to maintain a safe speed in the parking lot. During drop off and pick up times there are a lot of people out there so we would like to keep everyone as safe as possible. Also be reminded, there is one flow of traffic. Please keep to the right if you are trying to go around the island. This will help keep the flow of traffic going the right way as well as keep everyone moving during drop off and pick up times!
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