From the Desk of the Principal…
March was such a busy month around here! We were super excited with the success of our book fair! Thank you for all of the support in both buying books for your families, and/or donating them to the classrooms. Did you know that we earn our profit from the book fair in books for the classrooms? This fair allowed each of our classrooms to pick out around $70 in books!
School pictures arrived late last week. For those of you that are new to this, the way it works is that you may purchase and keep what ever pictures you would like and simply return the ones that you don’t want. There is a price sheet in the package. Payments and/or returns can be left at the front desk. Please do so by Friday, April 1st.
I also wanted to send out a reminder of our medication policy as copied from the parent handbook. Please take a moment to read over and become familiar with it in the event that your child requires medication during the school day…..
Medication
Chesterbrook Academy will administer over-the-counter medications to children ONLY under specific circumstances, as follows:
- The medication is in the original container.
- A medication release form is completed by the parent/guardian to include the
name of the medication, the dosage to be administered, (must match the bottle
label), time to be administered, and the length of time that the child is expected to
be on the medication. If a medication is to be administered for longer than 10
days, we require a physician’s signature on the appropriate medication form.
Under no circumstance should medication be left in a child’s cubby, diaper or
book bag. The medication should be brought in only while your child is taking
the medication. Under no circumstances should medication be administered
through a baby’s bottle/sippy cup.
- If your child requires Benadryl or any other over the counter medication that would be used in an emergency situation, please accompany the medication with a doctor’s note with the specific situation.
- A written authorization must be provided by the parent or guardian prior to
the application of any topical products, such as diaper ointment or sunscreen.
- Vitamins are to be given at home
- If your child requires 3 doses of medication, the first dose should be given at home, midday dose given at school and final dose given at home. Our schools will administer midday medications only. Any other exceptions must have prior approval from your school principal.
- Medication may be administered during school hours only be designated school administrators.
Note: In circumstances requiring specific skills or prior medical training to administer medicines, or use certain medical procedures, the school will not be able to accommodate the administration of these prescription medications or procedures.
Prescription medications will be administered to children ONLY under specific circumstances, as follows:
- The medication is in the original container and shall be labeled with the full
Pharmacy label.
- A medication release form is completed by the parent/guardian to include the
name of the medication, the dosage to be administered, and the time to be
administered, and the length of time that the child is expected to be on the
medication.
- Chesterbrook Academy will not administer any medication without a parental medication release form and the physician’s prescription on the medication.
- Prescription medication shall be used only for the child named on the label
- If your child requires 3 doses of medication, the first dose should be given at home, midday dose given at school and final dose given at home. Our schools will administer midday medications only. Any other exceptions must have prior approval from your school principal.
From the Education Department…
Spring is here! Flowers are blooming, days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Now is a great time for children to explore these environmental changes happening in the world around them.
Not only are children curious about nature, but research shows that it has a profound influence on their problem solving skills, creativity, imagination and cognitive ability. Because of this, our teachers incorporate nature in all aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum.
Below are ways we connect learning with nature, as well as activities you can do with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: After reading a book about springtime, teachers bring children outdoors to explore and investigate objects in nature. The children have fun crumbling leaves, smelling flowers and looking at clouds.
At home: Take tummy time outdoors and allow your infant to explore different sights, sounds and textures. Encourage him to move and grab things by placing objects just beyond his reach. For toddlers, ask questions like, “Who made that chirping sound” or “Can you point to the flowers?”
Recommended reading: Wake Up! Wake Up! A Springtime Lift-the-Flap Book by Kathryn Davis, Welcome Spring by Little Scholastic
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginners read books about seasonal changes, then bring the story to life by going outdoors to find real-world examples.
At home: Help make your child aware of the seasonal changes going on around him. Talk a walk with him and ask questions such as “Why do we see flowers growing now?” or “What do flowers need in order to grow?” Encourage him to use his creativity when answering.
Recommended reading: Over in the Meadow by Olive Wadsworth, Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Students plant seeds in their school garden and learn about the importance of caring for them. Through this activity, they practice math skills such as measuring, sorting, counting and making predictions.
At home: Set up a bird feeder outside a window that your child can easily see. Let him help you fill it with birdfeed. As the birds come to eat, ask your child to talk about them. “What color are they?” “Are they big or small?” “What are they doing?”
Recommended reading: Little Seed by Eric Carle, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Pre-K and Pre-K 2 students explore the sounds they hear in nature while playing outdoors. They then use recycled and natural materials, such as string and pine cones, to make their own wind chime.
At home: Reuse junk mail for a fun arts and crafts activity with your child. Encourage him to look through flyers and magazines to find words and pictures that he recognizes. Then, ask him to create a collage by cutting and gluing them to a piece of paper or poster board.
Recommended reading: And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, About Springtime, Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to think creatively and imaginatively about the world around them. By setting this foundation, children build confidence in their own unique thoughts and maintain a thirst for learning as they enter elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
April Newsletter
From the Desk of the Principal…
March was such a busy month around here! We were super excited with the success of our book fair! Thank you for all of the support in both buying books for your families, and/or donating them to the classrooms. Did you know that we earn our profit from the book fair in books for the classrooms? This fair allowed each of our classrooms to pick out around $70 in books!
School pictures arrived late last week. For those of you that are new to this, the way it works is that you may purchase and keep what ever pictures you would like and simply return the ones that you don’t want. There is a price sheet in the package. Payments and/or returns can be left at the front desk. Please do so by Friday, April 1st.
I also wanted to send out a reminder of our medication policy as copied from the parent handbook. Please take a moment to read over and become familiar with it in the event that your child requires medication during the school day…..
Medication
Chesterbrook Academy will administer over-the-counter medications to children ONLY under specific circumstances, as follows:
name of the medication, the dosage to be administered, (must match the bottle
label), time to be administered, and the length of time that the child is expected to
be on the medication. If a medication is to be administered for longer than 10
days, we require a physician’s signature on the appropriate medication form.
Under no circumstance should medication be left in a child’s cubby, diaper or
book bag. The medication should be brought in only while your child is taking
the medication. Under no circumstances should medication be administered
through a baby’s bottle/sippy cup.
the application of any topical products, such as diaper ointment or sunscreen.
Note: In circumstances requiring specific skills or prior medical training to administer medicines, or use certain medical procedures, the school will not be able to accommodate the administration of these prescription medications or procedures.
Prescription medications will be administered to children ONLY under specific circumstances, as follows:
Pharmacy label.
name of the medication, the dosage to be administered, and the time to be
administered, and the length of time that the child is expected to be on the
medication.
From the Education Department…
Spring is here! Flowers are blooming, days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Now is a great time for children to explore these environmental changes happening in the world around them.
Not only are children curious about nature, but research shows that it has a profound influence on their problem solving skills, creativity, imagination and cognitive ability. Because of this, our teachers incorporate nature in all aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum.
Below are ways we connect learning with nature, as well as activities you can do with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: After reading a book about springtime, teachers bring children outdoors to explore and investigate objects in nature. The children have fun crumbling leaves, smelling flowers and looking at clouds.
At home: Take tummy time outdoors and allow your infant to explore different sights, sounds and textures. Encourage him to move and grab things by placing objects just beyond his reach. For toddlers, ask questions like, “Who made that chirping sound” or “Can you point to the flowers?”
Recommended reading: Wake Up! Wake Up! A Springtime Lift-the-Flap Book by Kathryn Davis, Welcome Spring by Little Scholastic
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginners read books about seasonal changes, then bring the story to life by going outdoors to find real-world examples.
At home: Help make your child aware of the seasonal changes going on around him. Talk a walk with him and ask questions such as “Why do we see flowers growing now?” or “What do flowers need in order to grow?” Encourage him to use his creativity when answering.
Recommended reading: Over in the Meadow by Olive Wadsworth, Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Students plant seeds in their school garden and learn about the importance of caring for them. Through this activity, they practice math skills such as measuring, sorting, counting and making predictions.
At home: Set up a bird feeder outside a window that your child can easily see. Let him help you fill it with birdfeed. As the birds come to eat, ask your child to talk about them. “What color are they?” “Are they big or small?” “What are they doing?”
Recommended reading: Little Seed by Eric Carle, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Pre-K and Pre-K 2 students explore the sounds they hear in nature while playing outdoors. They then use recycled and natural materials, such as string and pine cones, to make their own wind chime.
At home: Reuse junk mail for a fun arts and crafts activity with your child. Encourage him to look through flyers and magazines to find words and pictures that he recognizes. Then, ask him to create a collage by cutting and gluing them to a piece of paper or poster board.
Recommended reading: And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, About Springtime, Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to think creatively and imaginatively about the world around them. By setting this foundation, children build confidence in their own unique thoughts and maintain a thirst for learning as they enter elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education