FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Chesterbrook Parents,
So the last month of the school year is finally here and I just can’t believe how much we have learned and how much we have grown this year. I couldn’t be prouder of ALL of our students, especially our pre-k graduates! Graduation was awesome and they all had so much fun! It is so sad to see our pre-k friends leave us but we know how prepared they are for kindergarten! We are doing a big school wide move up next week and another big one in late August/early September. If you child will be moving, you will receive a transition letter letting you know. If you have any questions, please let me know!
Summer camp calendars have gone home for June (more are available at the front desk) and we will send home July soon and August as well. Please note that water play day and ice cream truck day alternate so that our part time children will be able to still participate in these activities. For water play, please send your child to school dressed in a bathing suit and shoes that can get wet. Please also send a towel and we will bag everything up to be take home until the next week.
I also wanted to remind you all that we will be applying sunscreen and bug spray to our students in the afternoon only! Please apply this to your child(ren) in the morning. We will be going outside for 30 minutes (or less) in the morning and 30 minutes (or less) in the afternoon. If you do not wish for sunscreen to be applied as this will only be a short time they will be out (and much is spent in the shade), please let us know! We also will need to make sure you have completed a sunscreen and bug spray authorization form so that we can apply this.
If your child is not currently enrolled in Soccer Shots, JumpBunch, MusIQ, or Music for Little Ones, and you would like them to be, please let me know! These programs run all year (some will have small breaks between sessions) and it’s never too late to get signed up!
If you have not completed and returned your updated emergency forms, please do so ASAP. This is vital information we need on file in case of an emergency! Let me know if you need another copy!
Here’s to a fantastic summer of fun! May has arrived and it brought BEAUTIFUL weather! I am so excited for spring to be here and all of the fun things we have planned! Summer camp is right around the corner too! Please be on the finalized calendar and letters regarding fees in the next few weeks.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Soban, principal
——————————————————————————-
Fun Recipe
Grilled Fruit Kebabs Recipe
What you’ll need:
- 12 skewers
- 4 cups assorted cubed fruit
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
How to make it:
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-hot.
- Thread fruit cubes evenly onto the skewers, alternating the fruit varieties.
- In a small bowl, mix together honey, vanilla extract and ground cinnamon.
- Lightly brush the kebobs with oil and place on the grill. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side, basting with the honey mixture until you see grill marks. Remove from grill and brush with any remaining honey. Serve warm.
——————————————————————————–
DATES TO REMEMBER
5th- last day to order St. John’s Photos
12th- Summer Camp Fees due
15th- Summer Camp Begins! (see calendar for daily details)
16th- Soccer Shots summer session starts
21st- Father’s Day!
30th- End of the Month Folders go home!
30th- End of the Year Progress Notes go home!
——————————————————————————–
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Why spend your evenings and weekends driving to and from practices and programs when your child can participate in there right here at school? Please see the front desk for more information on any of these wonderful programs!
TUESDAYS: Soccer Shots @ 3pm
Soccer Shots has three rules: Score a goal, be a team player, and HAVE FUN! This is a great way to get some extra physical fitness in and have a blast doing it! Spaces are still available so sign up today!!
WEDNESDAYS: MUSIC FOR LITTLE ONES @ 3
Weekly music classes with Music For Little Ones will be lots of fun!! Each week the children will participate in different songs, and activities with music. They will even get to try different musical instruments. They will receive a CD of all songs learned that session. It is a wonderful, musical experience!
THURSDAYS: JUMP BUNCH @ 10:00am
Jump Bunch introduces sports and fitness to your child in a hands-on setting. It builds coordination and interest in sports, teaches through constant praise and encouragement, offers a safe, non-competitive environment, and promotes healthy fitness and nutrition!
THURSDAYS: MusIQ @3pm Is a piano based music program for children ages 3 and up. Classical music and keyboard skills are taught. Please see us for more details.
——————————————————————————–
SICK 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. Any student who becomes ill at school will be made comfortable until his/her parent can be notified and the student is picked up from school. A parent must pick up the ill child within one hour of notification. A sick child must stay home where he/she is most relaxed and comfortable. Children may be sent home if they have any specific symptoms as listed below. In addition, a child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. These symptoms are as follows:
•A fever of 100 degrees or more
•Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period
•Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea at school)
•A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection
•A constant cough or sore throat
•Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/herself
•A skin rash, excluding diaper rash
•Head lice
•Symptoms of a communicable disease
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.)
——————————————————————————–
A POWERFUL CONNECTION TO A LIFE FULL OF LEARNING
The perfect balance of learning and play!
We are so excited to announce that you will see our Links to Learning improvements starting in September! Please see Mrs. Lindsey or Mrs. Melissa for more details!
Children are expecting the perfect balance of learning and play in a safe, nurturing environment. Our Links to Learning curriculum helps to create life long learners. Introducing concepts in reading, math, art, music, science, and much more. You will receive professional updates, as well as ideas to continue the learning process at home. Our pre-k program is also in line with the Common Core Standards so you child will be well prepared for Kindergarten!
OUR PROGRAM
LINKS TO LEARNING (LTL): Links to Learning is an integrated series of programs for children ages six weeks to five years that engages the young learner’s senses, mind and body. The components of each program build upon each other as children grow and develop, ensuring an excellent preparation for elementary school. Links to Learning takes advantage of a child’s readiness to learn with activities that are fun, challenging, easily understood – and meaningful. The curriculum gives a child the freedom to discover in a supportive, loving and nurturing environment. It is truly the perfect balance of learning and play!
BABY SIGN: In our infant and toddler classrooms, baby sign language is taught to our students to help teachers better understand the needs of our children! Each month two new signs will be taught- including the basic “need” signs of more, all done, mommy, daddy, diaper, milk, tired, and many many more!
SPANISH: From the ages 2 to 5, children display an amazing capacity for learning language. By integrating Spanish throughout the day at an early age, children get a head-start on acquiring a second language. They develop listening and speaking skills while honing conversational skills, as well as explore music, clothing and activities from another culture right in their own classroom.
SPORTS, PLAY & ACTIVE RECREATION FOR KIDS! (SPARK): Spark promotes physical activity in ways that are creative and fun. It teaches social skills and enhances personal skills with maintaining high activity time.
SECOND STEP: Our character education program is designed for our Pre-K students but may be appropriate for our intermediate students in some cases. This wonderful program helps teach children how to recognize feelings of others, how to handle conflict on their own, how to take turns, share, and wait patiently for their turn to talk- to name a few! Parents will get ideas to take home as well to help with this program!
LETTER BUDDIES: This wonderful program is a supplement to our already amazing Links to Learning Language and Literacy component. This is for children who are ready to start with sight words and reading in our pre-k program. This will not be for every student, however it is a great resource for children who are ready to begin reading!
——————————————————————————–
PARENT REMINDERS
~ Please remember that tuition is due on Fridays for the next week. There will be a $25 late fee assessed to your account if payment is received after noon on Mondays.
~ Parents, please join us for all of our exciting events this month! Calendars are still available at the front desk!
~No outside food or drink should be brought to school unless your child has allergies or food restrictions. If they are bringing food from home for these reasons, please see me to sign our food waiver. Please see me with any questions.
~Please make sure you are signing your child in and out each day! This is essential as we use the sign in and out sheet to make sure all children are accounted for at fire drills or in case of a real emergency evacuation situation.
~ Please make sure all children are washing their hands upon entering the classroom each morning. This will help us prevent spreading germs!
~Please make sure there is a weather appropriate change of clothes (or more if potty training) in your child’s cubby!
~ In the event of inclement weather, there are a few ways in which we will communicate this to you. You can call the school and it will be on the voice mail message. We will also send an email. I believe I have everyone’s correct email- if I don’t, please get it to me ASAP! You can also check the local news station, WSOC, as well as their website, www.wsoctv.com, or even our school website for information.
——————————————————————————–
FROM THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
25 Books to Enjoy with Your Child
– Recommended Reading Adventures for Summer –
Whatever your child’s age, it is important to continue shared reading experiences even during summer. Reading together frequently has been shown to have a profound positive influence on vocabulary acquisition, speech development and listening skills.
Below are some age-appropriate books to read with your child this summer.
INFANTS
- Welcome Summer by Jill Ackerman & Nancy Davis
- Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Rod Campbell
- Splish, Splash, Baby! by Karen Katz
- Llama Llama Sand and Sun by Anna Dewdney
- Baby Loves Summer! By Karen Katz
TODDLERS (ages 1-2)
- Maisy Grows a Garden by Lucy Cousins
- Monkey Ono by J. C. Phillips
- 1, 2 at the Zoo by Sue DiCicco
- Get Happy by Malachy Doyle & Caroline Uff
- The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen & Dan Hanna
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3)
- Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
- I’m a Shark by Bob Shea
- Little Owl’s Day by Divya Srinivasan
- Biscuit Visits the Big City by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
- Island Counting 1, 2, 3 by Frane Lessac
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4)
- Mouses’s First Summer by Lauren Thompson
- Curious George Goes to the Beach by H.A. Rey
- Over in the Ocean by Marianne Berkes
- Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae
- The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5)
- Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
- How to Hide an Octopus by Ruth Heller
- Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- Froggy Goes to Hawaii by Jonathan London
- P.J. Funnybunny Camps Out by Marilyn Sadler
By experiencing a literacy-rich environment, both at school and at home, our students are prepared to become successful, confident readers in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education
June News Letter
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Chesterbrook Parents,
So the last month of the school year is finally here and I just can’t believe how much we have learned and how much we have grown this year. I couldn’t be prouder of ALL of our students, especially our pre-k graduates! Graduation was awesome and they all had so much fun! It is so sad to see our pre-k friends leave us but we know how prepared they are for kindergarten! We are doing a big school wide move up next week and another big one in late August/early September. If you child will be moving, you will receive a transition letter letting you know. If you have any questions, please let me know!
Summer camp calendars have gone home for June (more are available at the front desk) and we will send home July soon and August as well. Please note that water play day and ice cream truck day alternate so that our part time children will be able to still participate in these activities. For water play, please send your child to school dressed in a bathing suit and shoes that can get wet. Please also send a towel and we will bag everything up to be take home until the next week.
I also wanted to remind you all that we will be applying sunscreen and bug spray to our students in the afternoon only! Please apply this to your child(ren) in the morning. We will be going outside for 30 minutes (or less) in the morning and 30 minutes (or less) in the afternoon. If you do not wish for sunscreen to be applied as this will only be a short time they will be out (and much is spent in the shade), please let us know! We also will need to make sure you have completed a sunscreen and bug spray authorization form so that we can apply this.
If your child is not currently enrolled in Soccer Shots, JumpBunch, MusIQ, or Music for Little Ones, and you would like them to be, please let me know! These programs run all year (some will have small breaks between sessions) and it’s never too late to get signed up!
If you have not completed and returned your updated emergency forms, please do so ASAP. This is vital information we need on file in case of an emergency! Let me know if you need another copy!
Here’s to a fantastic summer of fun! May has arrived and it brought BEAUTIFUL weather! I am so excited for spring to be here and all of the fun things we have planned! Summer camp is right around the corner too! Please be on the finalized calendar and letters regarding fees in the next few weeks.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Soban, principal
——————————————————————————-
Fun Recipe
Grilled Fruit Kebabs Recipe
What you’ll need:
How to make it:
——————————————————————————–
DATES TO REMEMBER
5th- last day to order St. John’s Photos
12th- Summer Camp Fees due
15th- Summer Camp Begins! (see calendar for daily details)
16th- Soccer Shots summer session starts
21st- Father’s Day!
30th- End of the Month Folders go home!
30th- End of the Year Progress Notes go home!
——————————————————————————–
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Why spend your evenings and weekends driving to and from practices and programs when your child can participate in there right here at school? Please see the front desk for more information on any of these wonderful programs!
TUESDAYS: Soccer Shots @ 3pm
Soccer Shots has three rules: Score a goal, be a team player, and HAVE FUN! This is a great way to get some extra physical fitness in and have a blast doing it! Spaces are still available so sign up today!!
WEDNESDAYS: MUSIC FOR LITTLE ONES @ 3
Weekly music classes with Music For Little Ones will be lots of fun!! Each week the children will participate in different songs, and activities with music. They will even get to try different musical instruments. They will receive a CD of all songs learned that session. It is a wonderful, musical experience!
THURSDAYS: JUMP BUNCH @ 10:00am
Jump Bunch introduces sports and fitness to your child in a hands-on setting. It builds coordination and interest in sports, teaches through constant praise and encouragement, offers a safe, non-competitive environment, and promotes healthy fitness and nutrition!
THURSDAYS: MusIQ @3pm Is a piano based music program for children ages 3 and up. Classical music and keyboard skills are taught. Please see us for more details.
——————————————————————————–
SICK 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. Any student who becomes ill at school will be made comfortable until his/her parent can be notified and the student is picked up from school. A parent must pick up the ill child within one hour of notification. A sick child must stay home where he/she is most relaxed and comfortable. Children may be sent home if they have any specific symptoms as listed below. In addition, a child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. These symptoms are as follows:
•A fever of 100 degrees or more
•Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period
•Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea at school)
•A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection
•A constant cough or sore throat
•Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/herself
•A skin rash, excluding diaper rash
•Head lice
•Symptoms of a communicable disease
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.)
——————————————————————————–
A POWERFUL CONNECTION TO A LIFE FULL OF LEARNING
The perfect balance of learning and play!
We are so excited to announce that you will see our Links to Learning improvements starting in September! Please see Mrs. Lindsey or Mrs. Melissa for more details!
Children are expecting the perfect balance of learning and play in a safe, nurturing environment. Our Links to Learning curriculum helps to create life long learners. Introducing concepts in reading, math, art, music, science, and much more. You will receive professional updates, as well as ideas to continue the learning process at home. Our pre-k program is also in line with the Common Core Standards so you child will be well prepared for Kindergarten!
OUR PROGRAM
LINKS TO LEARNING (LTL): Links to Learning is an integrated series of programs for children ages six weeks to five years that engages the young learner’s senses, mind and body. The components of each program build upon each other as children grow and develop, ensuring an excellent preparation for elementary school. Links to Learning takes advantage of a child’s readiness to learn with activities that are fun, challenging, easily understood – and meaningful. The curriculum gives a child the freedom to discover in a supportive, loving and nurturing environment. It is truly the perfect balance of learning and play!
BABY SIGN: In our infant and toddler classrooms, baby sign language is taught to our students to help teachers better understand the needs of our children! Each month two new signs will be taught- including the basic “need” signs of more, all done, mommy, daddy, diaper, milk, tired, and many many more!
SPANISH: From the ages 2 to 5, children display an amazing capacity for learning language. By integrating Spanish throughout the day at an early age, children get a head-start on acquiring a second language. They develop listening and speaking skills while honing conversational skills, as well as explore music, clothing and activities from another culture right in their own classroom.
SPORTS, PLAY & ACTIVE RECREATION FOR KIDS! (SPARK): Spark promotes physical activity in ways that are creative and fun. It teaches social skills and enhances personal skills with maintaining high activity time.
SECOND STEP: Our character education program is designed for our Pre-K students but may be appropriate for our intermediate students in some cases. This wonderful program helps teach children how to recognize feelings of others, how to handle conflict on their own, how to take turns, share, and wait patiently for their turn to talk- to name a few! Parents will get ideas to take home as well to help with this program!
LETTER BUDDIES: This wonderful program is a supplement to our already amazing Links to Learning Language and Literacy component. This is for children who are ready to start with sight words and reading in our pre-k program. This will not be for every student, however it is a great resource for children who are ready to begin reading!
——————————————————————————–
PARENT REMINDERS
~ Please remember that tuition is due on Fridays for the next week. There will be a $25 late fee assessed to your account if payment is received after noon on Mondays.
~ Parents, please join us for all of our exciting events this month! Calendars are still available at the front desk!
~No outside food or drink should be brought to school unless your child has allergies or food restrictions. If they are bringing food from home for these reasons, please see me to sign our food waiver. Please see me with any questions.
~Please make sure you are signing your child in and out each day! This is essential as we use the sign in and out sheet to make sure all children are accounted for at fire drills or in case of a real emergency evacuation situation.
~ Please make sure all children are washing their hands upon entering the classroom each morning. This will help us prevent spreading germs!
~Please make sure there is a weather appropriate change of clothes (or more if potty training) in your child’s cubby!
~ In the event of inclement weather, there are a few ways in which we will communicate this to you. You can call the school and it will be on the voice mail message. We will also send an email. I believe I have everyone’s correct email- if I don’t, please get it to me ASAP! You can also check the local news station, WSOC, as well as their website, www.wsoctv.com, or even our school website for information.
——————————————————————————–
FROM THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
25 Books to Enjoy with Your Child
– Recommended Reading Adventures for Summer –
Whatever your child’s age, it is important to continue shared reading experiences even during summer. Reading together frequently has been shown to have a profound positive influence on vocabulary acquisition, speech development and listening skills.
Below are some age-appropriate books to read with your child this summer.
INFANTS
TODDLERS (ages 1-2)
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3)
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4)
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5)
By experiencing a literacy-rich environment, both at school and at home, our students are prepared to become successful, confident readers in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education