From the Principal’s Office:
Welcome to a new school year at Chesterbrook Academy Preschool. We are excited to have your family with us this school year. We encourage you to take a few minutes each month and scroll down to read the reminders, upcoming events, and the articles. We host a variety of events for families to enjoy and we encourage parent participation at our preschool. This newsletter, our weekly highlights, and the flyers at the front desk will help you to be better informed about all the fun filled, family events we are hosting this school year. Also Dr. Lauren Starnes from our education department writes a new article each month to help you support your child’s development with quick suggestions and information.
Each month I will provide you with “My Favorite” book list on everything from apples to picnics to feelings. I hope this list inspires you to take a trip to the library or your local bookstore to check out a new book or share an old favorite with your child. Your child will develop language, new vocabulary, phonological awareness, and eventually phonics skills through the words spoken to them, the stories read to them, and the books they are exposed to. I am very passionate about reading all types of books to children and providing a print rich environment. I will also list some poems, songs, or finger plays each month for you to share with your child too. We also have age specific book lists for you to take near the front desk. One of my favorite reading quotes is “everyone is a reader… some just haven’t found their favorite book yet”.
My Favorite Books about Apples
1. Up, Up, Up It’s Apple Picking Time by Jody Fickes Shapiro
2. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the world by Marjorie Priceman
3. The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
4. How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro
5. Apples by Gail Gibbons
6. Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins
7. Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss
8. Apples Here by Will Hubbell
9. Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
10. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
Apple Tree
Way up high in the apple tree (move arms above your head)
Two little apples smiled at me. (show two fingers and a big smile)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (act out shaking)
Down came the apples. (act out them falling)
Mmmm- they were good. (rub your tummy, for older students act this out five times starting with five apples and shaking one out each time)
Picking Apples
I look up and I can see
Big red apples, ripe and sweet,
Big red apples, good to eat!
Shake the little apple tree.
See the apples fall on me.
Here’s a basket, big and round.
Pick the apples from the ground.
Here’s an apple I can see.
I’ll reach up. It’s ripe and sweet.
That’s the apple I will eat.
We are so excited to have your family with us this new school year!
Nicole Gleason
Principal
Our calendar for the 2015-2016 school years is viewable online at: http://centralnaperville.chesterbrookacademy.com.
Upcoming Events
September
- Closed for Labor Day Holiday on Monday, September 7th
- Curriculum Night on Wednesday September 9th at 6:30pm
October
- Columbus Day is Monday, October 12th
- Fall Portraits are on Wednesday, October 21st and Thursday, October 22nd
- Trick or Trunk on Friday, October 23rd
- Halloween Parade & Parties on Friday, October 30th
School Spotlight
Curriculum Night
Please join us on Wednesday, September 9th at 6:30pm for a parents only event. Teachers will be going over the daily schedule, learning outcomes, and parent reports. You will also have an opportunity to visit with the teachers, ask questions, and view your child’s work. We hope to see you there!
Safety Concerns and Traffic Flow in Parking Lot
This is a reminder to parents regarding our policy on entering and exiting the building. I know that it is in our nature to be polite and open doors for others, but when this occurs it negates the safety features of our door code. Please refrain from holding open the door for other adults in order to ensure that only enrolled families gain access to our building. Ms. Jen and I are available from 7:00am to 6:30pm to monitor the comings and goings of parents and students; but occasionally we need to assist in a classroom or in the kitchen. We will be posting a sign at the front desk notifying parents where we are, should we need to leave the front desk area for an extended period of time. We also have an extra staff member monitoring the front entrance from 6:30am to 7:00am, until Ms. Jen or I arrive for the day. Please make sure to sign your child in and out at the front desk every day that they attend also.
Please take a moment to review how traffic should flow in our parking lot: Traffic is to enter the parking lot on the Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School side and then follow all the way around the lot and park on the preschool side. Traffic should exit the parking lot on our preschool side. Please make sure to slow down near the cross walk so that you are able to watch for pedestrians crossing from one building to the next and to avoid any accidents or injuries. Heavy traffic times are from 8:30am to 8:45am and 3:35pm to 3:55pm; to avoid these heavy traffic times please arrive to the campus either before or after these arrival and dismissal times.
Become a Chesterbrook Ambassador!
If you refer a family to any Chesterbrook Academy school, you will receive a free week of tuition off of your oldest child’s tuition. There is no limit to the number of families you refer. Note: The referred family must be full-time student and enrolled for 90 days before the free week of tuition can be applied. If the referral is for a part time student you will receive one hundred dollars off your child’s tuition.
Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School
Please take a moment each month to view what is new and exciting at our Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School website at: http://naperville.chesterbrookacademy.com. You can learn more about all the specialty teachers under the Parent tab or enjoy reading the elementary newsletter.
From the Education Department
Developing Balance Skills in Young Children
From Tummy Time to Bike Riding
Balance is a fundamental skill necessary for maintaining controlled positions, such as sitting in a chair, or engaging in physical activities like running or riding a bike. Having balance makes motor skill development easier, reduces the risk of injury, and helps children focus on academic tasks.
Our Nobel Learning Education team stays up to date with the latest research to ensure that our Links to Learning curriculum exceeds childhood learning standards. The Links to Learning curriculum was enhanced last fall to include a greater focus on balance, a building block for skills such as hand-eye coordination, muscular strength and body awareness.
Here are some ways we help improve balance in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Tummy time promotes neck, back and abdominal strength needed for infants to eventually push up, roll over, sit up and crawl. Teachers keep infants engaged by using activity mats or plush blocks.
At home: Place your baby on his stomach and shine a flashlight near him. Once you have captured his attention, shine the light in a rhythmic pattern. For older infants, encourage your baby to move or crawl toward the light.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: During the toddler years, children make major strides in balance and coordination. Teachers play music and encourage students to move their bodies in different ways while maintaining their balance.
At home: Push and pull toys require children to use core balance and arm strength, which can be difficult for new walkers. Place a small wagon or toy shopping cart and a pile of blocks on the floor. Show your child how to fill the cart with blocks. He will enjoy pulling or pushing the blocks around the room.
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Sitting cross-legged, or as we say with the children “criss-cross applesauce,” is an important developmental skill for two year olds. Teachers encourage children to sit criss-crossed anytime they are playing on the floor. Sitting in this position strengthens a child’s core muscles and helps improve body control. We discourage “W-sitting,” with knees together and feet on either side of the hips, because it puts strain on knees and hips and fails to engage core abdominal muscles.
At home: Provide your child with a sit-and-spin toy. Ask him to sit on the toy with his legs crisscrossed. As he turns the wheel to spin, he will gain a better understanding of cause and effect.
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Around age three, children learn to maintain control of their upper body while moving their lower body. Our Intermediate students practice pedaling a tricycle, bouncing on hopper balls, and walking on a balance beam.
At home: Have your child practice running and stopping with control by playing the traffic light game. Shout out the color green, yellow or red. Have him move quickly when hearing “green,” move slowly when hearing “yellow,” and completely stop when hearing “red.”
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers encourage children to practice balance and coordination by jumping on their non-dominant foot, walking on a line or beam, or jumping rope. Children also practice balance by crouching down to tie their shoes.
At home: Ask your child to tell you about the games and activities played at school. Include these activities at home and during family events such as birthday parties and vacations. Scooters and pogo jumpers are great toys for children at this age.
Good balance helps children maintain appropriate and controlled body movement during important tasks. By building balance skills 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
September News
From the Principal’s Office:
Welcome to a new school year at Chesterbrook Academy Preschool. We are excited to have your family with us this school year. We encourage you to take a few minutes each month and scroll down to read the reminders, upcoming events, and the articles. We host a variety of events for families to enjoy and we encourage parent participation at our preschool. This newsletter, our weekly highlights, and the flyers at the front desk will help you to be better informed about all the fun filled, family events we are hosting this school year. Also Dr. Lauren Starnes from our education department writes a new article each month to help you support your child’s development with quick suggestions and information.
Each month I will provide you with “My Favorite” book list on everything from apples to picnics to feelings. I hope this list inspires you to take a trip to the library or your local bookstore to check out a new book or share an old favorite with your child. Your child will develop language, new vocabulary, phonological awareness, and eventually phonics skills through the words spoken to them, the stories read to them, and the books they are exposed to. I am very passionate about reading all types of books to children and providing a print rich environment. I will also list some poems, songs, or finger plays each month for you to share with your child too. We also have age specific book lists for you to take near the front desk. One of my favorite reading quotes is “everyone is a reader… some just haven’t found their favorite book yet”.
My Favorite Books about Apples
1. Up, Up, Up It’s Apple Picking Time by Jody Fickes Shapiro
2. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the world by Marjorie Priceman
3. The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
4. How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro
5. Apples by Gail Gibbons
6. Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins
7. Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss
8. Apples Here by Will Hubbell
9. Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
10. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
Apple Tree
Way up high in the apple tree (move arms above your head)
Two little apples smiled at me. (show two fingers and a big smile)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (act out shaking)
Down came the apples. (act out them falling)
Mmmm- they were good. (rub your tummy, for older students act this out five times starting with five apples and shaking one out each time)
Picking Apples
I look up and I can see
Big red apples, ripe and sweet,
Big red apples, good to eat!
Shake the little apple tree.
See the apples fall on me.
Here’s a basket, big and round.
Pick the apples from the ground.
Here’s an apple I can see.
I’ll reach up. It’s ripe and sweet.
That’s the apple I will eat.
We are so excited to have your family with us this new school year!
Nicole Gleason
Principal
Our calendar for the 2015-2016 school years is viewable online at: http://centralnaperville.chesterbrookacademy.com.
Upcoming Events
September
October
School Spotlight
Curriculum Night
Please join us on Wednesday, September 9th at 6:30pm for a parents only event. Teachers will be going over the daily schedule, learning outcomes, and parent reports. You will also have an opportunity to visit with the teachers, ask questions, and view your child’s work. We hope to see you there!
Safety Concerns and Traffic Flow in Parking Lot
This is a reminder to parents regarding our policy on entering and exiting the building. I know that it is in our nature to be polite and open doors for others, but when this occurs it negates the safety features of our door code. Please refrain from holding open the door for other adults in order to ensure that only enrolled families gain access to our building. Ms. Jen and I are available from 7:00am to 6:30pm to monitor the comings and goings of parents and students; but occasionally we need to assist in a classroom or in the kitchen. We will be posting a sign at the front desk notifying parents where we are, should we need to leave the front desk area for an extended period of time. We also have an extra staff member monitoring the front entrance from 6:30am to 7:00am, until Ms. Jen or I arrive for the day. Please make sure to sign your child in and out at the front desk every day that they attend also.
Please take a moment to review how traffic should flow in our parking lot: Traffic is to enter the parking lot on the Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School side and then follow all the way around the lot and park on the preschool side. Traffic should exit the parking lot on our preschool side. Please make sure to slow down near the cross walk so that you are able to watch for pedestrians crossing from one building to the next and to avoid any accidents or injuries. Heavy traffic times are from 8:30am to 8:45am and 3:35pm to 3:55pm; to avoid these heavy traffic times please arrive to the campus either before or after these arrival and dismissal times.
Become a Chesterbrook Ambassador!
If you refer a family to any Chesterbrook Academy school, you will receive a free week of tuition off of your oldest child’s tuition. There is no limit to the number of families you refer. Note: The referred family must be full-time student and enrolled for 90 days before the free week of tuition can be applied. If the referral is for a part time student you will receive one hundred dollars off your child’s tuition.
Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School
Please take a moment each month to view what is new and exciting at our Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School website at: http://naperville.chesterbrookacademy.com. You can learn more about all the specialty teachers under the Parent tab or enjoy reading the elementary newsletter.
From the Education Department
Developing Balance Skills in Young Children
From Tummy Time to Bike Riding
Balance is a fundamental skill necessary for maintaining controlled positions, such as sitting in a chair, or engaging in physical activities like running or riding a bike. Having balance makes motor skill development easier, reduces the risk of injury, and helps children focus on academic tasks.
Our Nobel Learning Education team stays up to date with the latest research to ensure that our Links to Learning curriculum exceeds childhood learning standards. The Links to Learning curriculum was enhanced last fall to include a greater focus on balance, a building block for skills such as hand-eye coordination, muscular strength and body awareness.
Here are some ways we help improve balance in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Tummy time promotes neck, back and abdominal strength needed for infants to eventually push up, roll over, sit up and crawl. Teachers keep infants engaged by using activity mats or plush blocks.
At home: Place your baby on his stomach and shine a flashlight near him. Once you have captured his attention, shine the light in a rhythmic pattern. For older infants, encourage your baby to move or crawl toward the light.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: During the toddler years, children make major strides in balance and coordination. Teachers play music and encourage students to move their bodies in different ways while maintaining their balance.
At home: Push and pull toys require children to use core balance and arm strength, which can be difficult for new walkers. Place a small wagon or toy shopping cart and a pile of blocks on the floor. Show your child how to fill the cart with blocks. He will enjoy pulling or pushing the blocks around the room.
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Sitting cross-legged, or as we say with the children “criss-cross applesauce,” is an important developmental skill for two year olds. Teachers encourage children to sit criss-crossed anytime they are playing on the floor. Sitting in this position strengthens a child’s core muscles and helps improve body control. We discourage “W-sitting,” with knees together and feet on either side of the hips, because it puts strain on knees and hips and fails to engage core abdominal muscles.
At home: Provide your child with a sit-and-spin toy. Ask him to sit on the toy with his legs crisscrossed. As he turns the wheel to spin, he will gain a better understanding of cause and effect.
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Around age three, children learn to maintain control of their upper body while moving their lower body. Our Intermediate students practice pedaling a tricycle, bouncing on hopper balls, and walking on a balance beam.
At home: Have your child practice running and stopping with control by playing the traffic light game. Shout out the color green, yellow or red. Have him move quickly when hearing “green,” move slowly when hearing “yellow,” and completely stop when hearing “red.”
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers encourage children to practice balance and coordination by jumping on their non-dominant foot, walking on a line or beam, or jumping rope. Children also practice balance by crouching down to tie their shoes.
At home: Ask your child to tell you about the games and activities played at school. Include these activities at home and during family events such as birthday parties and vacations. Scooters and pogo jumpers are great toys for children at this age.
Good balance helps children maintain appropriate and controlled body movement during important tasks. By building balance skills 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