A Message from our Principal:

Hello CBA Families!

We have so many activities planned for the month of April. It is going to be a busy month for our students and for you. Please keep track of all important dates. Our theme for the month is “Earth and Outer Space”. The weekly topics will consist of:

• 3/30 – 4/3 – Seasons Change
• 4/6 – 4/10 – Weather Watchers
• 4/13 – 4/17 – The Solar Systems
• 4/20 – 4/24 – Going Green/Recycling and Earth

It is my commitment to support the needs of your children, your families, and the school. It is my passion to see your children succeed and thrive in their educational environment. If you have any questions or concerns, my door is always open and you can email me at lauren.cavuoto@nlcinc.com.

Again, thank you for the continued support.

Lauren

  Important Dates:

• March 30 – April 3 – Spring Break LCPS
• April 1 – April Fools’ Day
• April 3 – Wear green today
• April 20 – 24 – Week of the Young Child
• April 22- Earth Day/Ladybug Release
• April 27 – May 1 – Parent Appreciation Week
• Tuesday, April 28 – Muffins with Mom 7:30-8:30AM
• Wednesday, April 29 – Donuts for Dad 7:30-8:30AM

Week of the Young Child:

• 4/20 – Sing, Dance, Celebrate, and Learn
• 4/21 – Healthy Eating and Fitness At Home and School
• 4/22 – Work Together, Build Together, Learn Together
• 4/23 – Think, Problem Solve, Create
• 4/24 – Sharing Family Stories: Creating A Family Vision Board

Parent Reminders:

Nut-Free: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, CBA is a NUT FREE zone!! What that means is we can’t have any products that have nuts in them, made with nut oil, may contain nut or nut residues, or packaged in a plant that processes peanut/tree nuts. Please read the very last line of all of the ingredients. Please understand for some of our children this is a life and death situation! I thank you for all your understanding.

Summer: If your child is in the Infant through PreK classes and you are staying through the summer we ask that you register your child for the summer activities. Information will be available soon for the summer programs. There will be a one-time fee to cover activities for the entire summer for everyone. Summer camps start June 15.

• Kindergarten Graduation – June 11, 2015 @ 3PM
• CBA Summer School starts June 15th
• LCPS last day of school is June 16th

Fall Registration: Remember if you have not put in for your fall Registration for the 2015-2016 School Year please do so as soon as you know. Spots for the classroom will fill up. We are registering for the fall! So if you have not done so please make sure you register for the 2015-2016 school year!

Late Fee: We do have a late pick up policy that is stated on your fee schedule. Our hours of operation are 630am-630pm, if your child is picked up after that time, you must pay the late pickup fee.

Vacation: If you are planning to take a vacation and would like to use your one week vacation credit, please make sure to fill out a form in the front lobby. Just a reminder, we ask for a one month notice if you are planning to use your vacation credit!

Clothing: The weather is getting warmer and wetter; please make sure you have spare clothes that are weather appropriate, including a jacket and extra socks!

Sick Policy: To ensure the health and safety of all of our children and staff, please remember to adhere to our sick policy which states: “a child must be free of all symptoms without medication for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance may be requested).” All of us truly appreciate your support with this matter!

ACH: Writing checks a drag? Sign-up for our Automatic Payment today! Forms are available at the front desk!

Tuition: A gentle reminder that payment is due the Friday before the following week! If payment is received after noon Monday, a late payment fee of $25 will be assessed. Thank you!

Parent Referral Program: Refer a family and after 90 days of enrollment, receive a free week of tuition just for spreading the word! Thank you to all the families who have already referred families to us!

From the Education Department

Appreciating the Wonders of Mother Nature

Spring is here and Earth Day is right around the corner, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect children with nature and reinforce the importance of preserving and protecting the world around us.

Our Links to Learning curriculum uses hands-on activities to cultivate a deeper connection to the earth and foster academic, physical and social skill development.

Below are activities we implement in our classrooms to get children excited about nature, as well as activities and books to read with your child at home.

INFANTS/TODDLERS:

• In the classroom: Our teachers provide natural objects, such as leaves, pinecones and flowers for the children to see and touch. We help children associate words with the concrete objects they represent.
• At-home activity: Allow your child to experience different textured fruits, such as an orange, watermelon and cantaloupe. Talk about what he sees, smells, tastes and feels.
• Recommended reading: Colors from Nature from PlayBac Publishing and The Earth Book by Todd Parr

BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3):

• In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to understand interdependencies in nature. For instance, they learn that ladybugs feed on insects that are harmful to gardens, trees and shrubs. On Earth Day, many of our students have the opportunity to release ladybugs to help local gardens.
• At-home activity: Take a walk outdoors with your child and play a game of “I Spy.” Ask him point out objects found in the springtime, for example a red flower, a blue bird or a colorful butterfly.
• Recommended reading: Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli & David T. Wenzel and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4):

• In the classroom: As our Intermediates gain a greater understanding and appreciation for how living things grow, the class may adopt a pet such as a fish or bunny. Students develop math, science and language skills by measuring the pet’s food, observing the pet’s behavior and habitat, and learning new vocabulary. Research shows that when children have the opportunity to care for animals, they practice nurturing behaviors that help them interact in gentle ways with people also.
• At-home activity: Create a small garden and allow your child to help you plant and water seeds, either outdoors or indoors. Ask him to predict what the plant will look like by drawing pictures in his journal. Check the plant regularly so he can observe and measure changes in growth. Discuss the importance of watering and caring for the plant.
• Recommended reading: Our Earth by Anne Rockwell and the poem “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out!” by Shel Silverstein

PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5):

• In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to reuse recyclable materials in fun and unconventional ways. For instance, our students use cardboard boxes to create a castle, milk jug lids to sort and match, and plastic bottles to create beautiful, unique artwork.
• At-home activity: Set up a recycling station using cardboard boxes, and label each box with the words “metal”, “plastic” and “paper”. Throughout the month, ask your child to help sort your family’s recyclables by placing the items into the correct box. Explain that recycling is just one way that we can be kind to the earth. Ask him to name a few other ways, such as conserving electricity, picking up litter and planting a garden.
• Recommended reading: A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry and The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

We create a path for lifelong learning by providing numerous opportunities for children to study and explore nature. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as students transition into elementary school and beyond.

– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education