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April News

A Message From the Principal:

Spring is here!  Our Students are so excited to be able to go outside once again! And what a perfect time to learn about the Earth and Outer Space –our focus for this month. Our students will have a great time discovering seasonal changes, being weather watchers, learning about the Solar System, and exploring the world of recycling! We can hardly wait to watch their imaginations soar!

Upcoming Events:

  • Week of April 1-3: Celebrating Seasonal Changes.
  • April 1: We will be having a Spring Egg hunt for 5pre & 6Pre classes.
  • April 3: Spring Egg hunt for all full time preschool classes!
  • April 5: Happy Easter!
  • Week of April 6-10: Celebrating Weather Watchers
  • April 6-10: 5 & 6 Pre Open!
  • April 6-10: Spring Camp for School-Age classes!
  • Week of April 20-24: Celebrating Earth Day with our Ladybug Release on April 22nd!

Happy Birthday to all of our April Birthday Students, Parents, and Staff!

**Tuition Reminders**
Please remember that the tuition is due the 5th of every month . Tuition which is not received by the 5th automatically have a $50 late charge applied.
Auto Payment Save yourself time, checks, and late fees by enrolling in our Automatic Payment system (ACH). Tuition fees can be deducted directly from your checking or savings account. Information is available at the front desk.
Schedule Requests Four Weeks Notice  for any schedule changes.
Referral Program: How easy is it to receive a free weeks tuition? Just refer a family and after 90 days of enrollment you earn a free week!

Food Allergies
Food is a significant player this time of year with holiday parties, gifts, etc. so we want to take this opportunity to remind you that we are a “nut free” school.  Some food allergies are very severe and can be fatal for our children.  Before bringing in any item, please check the ingredient list and do not bring anything with a warning similar to “contains nuts”, “may contain nuts” or “processed in a facility that also processes nuts”.  When in doubt, please feel free to call us.  All items will be checked by staff before being served to children.  We thank you, and the parents of these children thank you.

Vacation Credits
The vacation credit allows you not to pay tuition for your child during an absence from the School of up to five consecutive days.  To qualify for a vacation credit, your child must be enrolled at the School for at least six months prior to the start of the absence.  To make use of the vacation credit, you must must notify the Principal at least two weeks in advance of the absence.

Parking Policy
Please be sure not to park in the fire lane of in front of the building.  This is a fire violation and also an obstruction to others and can be very dangerous! The same applies to our handicapped spaces.  Please do not park in a handicapped space without the proper permit as there are families who need them.  Thank you!

Inclement Weather
We ask that you update your email address and/or provide additional email addresses if you have not already done so.  In the case of any school closings/delayed openings families will be notified via email.  You may also check the school’s website, http://kentlands.chesterbrookacademy.com, or call our voicemail for updates.

Illness Policy
The purpose of our sick policy is to reduce the spread of illness among children and to encourage full recuperation of sick children before they return to school.  We depend on parents to assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children.  We reserve the right to send home any student who shows signs of illness at school and will be made comfortable until his/her parent can be notified and the student is picked up.  Signs of illness include a fever of 100 degrees or more, vomiting, diarrhea, heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection, constant cough or sore throat, unidentified skin rash, head lice or unusual fussy/cranky behavior.  A sick child must stay home and may return to school when they have been symptom free for 24 hours without the aid of medication.

Signing In and Out
We are required to keep accurate records of when each child is present or absent.  We request that you please take a few moments when dropping off and picking up to sign your child in and out, everyday.  Don’t forget to check their folder for artwork and important communication.  Thank you!

Referral Program
How easy is it to receive a free weeks tuition? Just refer a family, and have them list you as the referring family on their application.  After 90 days of enrollment you earn a free week!  It’s our way of saying thanks for doing what comes naturally- singing the praises of your child and sharing your experiences of our school.

Facebook
Chesterbrook Academy is on Facebook.  Photos of our learning and school events may be posted.  Please like our page and share with family and friends so they can see what we are up to!

Shoes and Clothing
We would like to make sure that your children are prepared for our Outdoor Play. We believe that fresh air is vital to a child’s development, and that it is important for children to be able to get out and run and use their large motor skills on a daily basis. Weather watchers, we will go outdoors for a minimum of 30 minutes per day (our time outside will be shorter if the weather is too cold). *Please take a moment and check out your child’s extra set of clothes to ensure they are weather appropriate.  Please be sure to label all items including hats, gloves, scarves, etc.

*** Please note the importance of sending your child to school with closed toed shoes. We are very active during the day. Toe injuries are a top injury which can be prevented with proper foot wear. Check your child’s extra clothing to ensure they are weather appropriate.

Hours/Days of Operation
Regular hours of operation are 6:30am-6:30pm weekdays. There is a late pick-up fee of $1 per minute after the regularly scheduled pick up time.

We are closed the following legal holidays: Labor Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day (limited service the day after Thanksgiving) Christmas Day New Years Day President’s Day Memorial Day and Independence Day.

If the holiday falls on a weekend, we will be closed the Friday before or the Monday after the holiday.


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

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