FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Chesterbrook Parents,
Happy August! I can’t believe the summer is almost over and our new school year is about to begin! We have so many exciting things planned for this school year and we can’t wait. Everyone should have received a letter with their child’s class, teachers, and a list of friends in their class. If your child is moving to the next class, it would have also said that. If you have any questions, please don’t’ hesitate to let us know!
We do still have a few more weeks of summer camp and many more fun days planned. Please check out the August calendar or the white board up front for the upcoming events.
As a quick reminder, we will be applying sun screen and bug spray to your child in the afternoons. They will go outside in the morning but we are asking parents to put sun screen on in the mornings. Also, we will apply bug spray if you have indicated for us to do so, however we do have Mosquito Guard come out every 21 days to spray for mosquitoes and their work is guaranteed. I have had several parents tell me NOT to apply bug spray because we are not seeing the bugs and they don’t want this applied unnecessarily. So, let me know if you do not wish for us to apply bug spray!
As always, thank you for your support for Chesterbrook Academy! Here’s to another wonderful month!
Sincerely,
Lindsey Soban, principal
——————————————————————————-
Fun Recipe
Welsh “Rabbits”
What you’ll need:
- 1/3 cup grated Cheddar
- 1 egg
yolk
- 1 teaspoon cream or milk
- 2 or 3 drops Worcestershire sauce
(or to taste)
- Pepper, to season
- 1 English muffin, split and lightly toasted
- Peas, thin slices of carrot or snow peas, 1 black olive (pitted and halved), a few fresh chives and scallion, to garnish
How to make it:
- Preheat the broiler to high.
- Put the cheese, egg yolk, cream and Worcestershire sauce into a bowl and mash together.
- Season to taste with pepper.
- Spread the cheese mixture on the cut sides of the toasted muffin, spreading right to the edges.
- Place the cheese-topped muffin halves about 3 inches away from the heat source (one rack down from normal broiling position) — don’t have them too close, as the egg in the mixture can make them brown very quickly.
- Broil for 3 to 4 minutes, until the cheese has melted and is golden and bubbling.
- Decorate the cooked muffin halves with peas for eyes and strips of carrot or snow peas for ears, half an olive for a nose, chives for whiskers, and scallion for teeth.
- Serve immediately.
——————————————————————————–
DATES TO REMEMBER
1st- Open House 10am – 1pm
21st- last day of summer camp
week of 24th- school wide transition week
31st- End of the Month Folders go home
31st- First official day of new school year
31st- Fall Picture Day
Sept 1- Fall Picture Day
——————————————————————————–
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.
——————————————————————————–
FROM THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
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
August News Letter
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Chesterbrook Parents,
Happy August! I can’t believe the summer is almost over and our new school year is about to begin! We have so many exciting things planned for this school year and we can’t wait. Everyone should have received a letter with their child’s class, teachers, and a list of friends in their class. If your child is moving to the next class, it would have also said that. If you have any questions, please don’t’ hesitate to let us know!
We do still have a few more weeks of summer camp and many more fun days planned. Please check out the August calendar or the white board up front for the upcoming events.
As a quick reminder, we will be applying sun screen and bug spray to your child in the afternoons. They will go outside in the morning but we are asking parents to put sun screen on in the mornings. Also, we will apply bug spray if you have indicated for us to do so, however we do have Mosquito Guard come out every 21 days to spray for mosquitoes and their work is guaranteed. I have had several parents tell me NOT to apply bug spray because we are not seeing the bugs and they don’t want this applied unnecessarily. So, let me know if you do not wish for us to apply bug spray!
As always, thank you for your support for Chesterbrook Academy! Here’s to another wonderful month!
Sincerely,
Lindsey Soban, principal
——————————————————————————-
Fun Recipe
Welsh “Rabbits”
What you’ll need:
How to make it:
——————————————————————————–
DATES TO REMEMBER
1st- Open House 10am – 1pm
21st- last day of summer camp
week of 24th- school wide transition week
31st- End of the Month Folders go home
31st- First official day of new school year
31st- Fall Picture Day
Sept 1- Fall Picture Day
——————————————————————————–
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.
——————————————————————————–
FROM THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
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