Dear Parents,
Now that the holiday season has arrived, many of us will take time to visit with family and friends or to connect with important people in our lives. This type of personal connection is an important part of our school’s philosophy and continues to flourish through our many school events. Meaningful connections between teachers and parents guarantee academic, social, and emotional growth of each of our students. Your participation in our school activities has been amazing! Thank you for your support and ongoing commitment to our Chesterbrook family.
Another upcoming connection for parents and teachers is your child’s “Parent Report”. Student assessments shed light on your child’s progress since the beginning of the school year. Expect to receive your child’s report no later than Friday, January 29th.
Thank you for your generous donations towards our food drive! The Treasure Coast Food Bank was impressed that we collected 229.50 pounds of food and was very grateful for our support! YOU ROCK!
‘Tis the season to explore December celebrations, observances an activities from several cultures. What is another name for St. Nicholas? What is a Menorah? What is a Karamu? The answers to these questions will be highlighted in December lessons that will cover multi-cultural holiday traditions. Be sure to check out classroom education boards in and outside of your child’s classroom to see evidence of learning fun! Speak to your child’s teacher if you would like to share a special tradition from your family with the class.
Please read below to stay connected with December events and dates to remember.
Wishing you and yours,
Melinda Willey, Principal
Nicole Pezzullo, Assistant Principal
SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT!
WEAR PAJAMAS TO SCHOOL!
Please send your child to school with 2 new wrapped books
Parent sign-ups are located on each classroom door
![239_com-another-wacky-wednesday-graphic-600x300[1]](https://www.chesterbrookacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/11/239_com-another-wacky-wednesday-graphic-600x3001-300x150.jpg)
December 16th
Wacky Holiday Hair!
Send your child to school in his/her wackiest Holiday Hair!
Ms. Pezzullo & Ms. Hoffman sporting
Wacky Holiday Hair in 2014!
THE PERFECT BALANCE OF LEARNING AND PLAY!
JOIN US IN MAKING A CHILD SMILE!
Drop-off box is located in our front lobby
Cock-A-Doodle Doo Petting Zoo
RESCHEDULED
New date TBA shortly
DEC./JAN. NON-VPK DAYS
12/21 to 1/4
You are more then welcome to send your child to school. The fee will be $30 per day.
Sign-up forms are located at the front desk.
WINTER BREAK & SPRING BREAK ARE THE TWO TIMES A YEAR WHEN PART TIME AND FULL TIME VPK STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY ADDITIONAL TUITION FEES TO ATTEND.
Elementary Age Camp Program
Calendar and sign-up forms are located at the front desk
12/21 – Skate Factory
12/22 – Stuart Ceramics
12/23 – Elliot Museum
12/24 – Holiday Arts & Crafts (on campus)
12/28 – Superplay USA
12/29 – Jensen Beach Holiday Sand Sculptures
12/30 – 76 Golf World
12/31 – Holiday Cookie Baking (on campus)
01/04 – TBA
In observance of the Christmas and New Year holiday Chesterbrook Academy will be…
CLOSED
Friday, December 25th
Friday, January 1st
EARLY CLOSINGS
Thursday, December 24th – 3:00pm
Thursday, December 31st – 3:00pm
DECEMBER 2015
EDUCATION ARTICLE
Exploring Holiday Traditions from Around the World
The holiday season is here, providing a wealth of opportunities to enrich the children’s understanding of diverse cultures and traditions around the world. In addition, our students will share their own traditions with others.
Below are age appropriate activities that we use in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: As they near the age of two, children begin to recognize the sights and sounds of holidays celebrated by their family. Parents visit our classrooms to share holiday traditions, including unique books, songs and activities.
At home: Gather family photos and point out traditions, such as unwrapping presents, eating holiday dinner at grandma’s house, and making a snowman. Encourage your child to talk about what he sees in the photos.
Recommended reading: Children Around the World Celebrate Christmas by Christine Tangvald, Happy Hanukkah, Corduroy by Don Freeman, My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Children sing holiday songs from around the world and are introduced to holiday symbols that they may see in their communities, such as Christmas trees or Hanukkah menorahs.
At home: Take a drive with your child or bring him to various holiday festivals in your community. Encourage him to look for and identify holiday decorations.
Recommended reading: Christmas Around the World by Calliope Glass, Hanukkah Hop by Erica Silverman, Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna Washington
PRE-K/PRE-K2 (ages 4-5)
In the classroom: After learning about holiday traditions around the world, our older preschoolers identify countries on a globe. For example, they might learn about Diwali, the festival of lights, and then find India on the globe. They might make tamales, a dish often served on Christmas, and then find Mexico on the globe.
At home: Ask your child to help you prepare your family’s favorite holiday foods. Talk about the long-standing traditions in which these foods are rooted. For instance, you might explain, “I used to bake cookies for the holidays with my mom. Now we can start baking cookies together!”
Recommended reading: Children Just Like Me: Celebrations by Anabel Kindersley, Light the Lights: A Story about Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas by Margaret Moorman, The Story of Kwanzaa by Mary Washington
Exposing children to various holiday traditions helps them build strong social skills, establish a sense of self, and respect the differences of others as they transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
DECEMBER NEWS
Dear Parents,
Now that the holiday season has arrived, many of us will take time to visit with family and friends or to connect with important people in our lives. This type of personal connection is an important part of our school’s philosophy and continues to flourish through our many school events. Meaningful connections between teachers and parents guarantee academic, social, and emotional growth of each of our students. Your participation in our school activities has been amazing! Thank you for your support and ongoing commitment to our Chesterbrook family.
Another upcoming connection for parents and teachers is your child’s “Parent Report”. Student assessments shed light on your child’s progress since the beginning of the school year. Expect to receive your child’s report no later than Friday, January 29th.
Thank you for your generous donations towards our food drive! The Treasure Coast Food Bank was impressed that we collected 229.50 pounds of food and was very grateful for our support! YOU ROCK!
‘Tis the season to explore December celebrations, observances an activities from several cultures. What is another name for St. Nicholas? What is a Menorah? What is a Karamu? The answers to these questions will be highlighted in December lessons that will cover multi-cultural holiday traditions. Be sure to check out classroom education boards in and outside of your child’s classroom to see evidence of learning fun! Speak to your child’s teacher if you would like to share a special tradition from your family with the class.
Please read below to stay connected with December events and dates to remember.
Wishing you and yours,
Melinda Willey, Principal
Nicole Pezzullo, Assistant Principal
SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT!
WEAR PAJAMAS TO SCHOOL!
Please send your child to school with 2 new wrapped books
Parent sign-ups are located on each classroom door
December 16th
Wacky Holiday Hair!
Send your child to school in his/her wackiest Holiday Hair!
Ms. Pezzullo & Ms. Hoffman sporting
Wacky Holiday Hair in 2014!
THE PERFECT BALANCE OF LEARNING AND PLAY!
JOIN US IN MAKING A CHILD SMILE!
Drop-off box is located in our front lobby
Cock-A-Doodle Doo Petting Zoo
RESCHEDULED
New date TBA shortly
DEC./JAN. NON-VPK DAYS
12/21 to 1/4
You are more then welcome to send your child to school. The fee will be $30 per day.
Sign-up forms are located at the front desk.
WINTER BREAK & SPRING BREAK ARE THE TWO TIMES A YEAR WHEN PART TIME AND FULL TIME VPK STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY ADDITIONAL TUITION FEES TO ATTEND.
Elementary Age Camp Program
Calendar and sign-up forms are located at the front desk
12/21 – Skate Factory
12/22 – Stuart Ceramics
12/23 – Elliot Museum
12/24 – Holiday Arts & Crafts (on campus)
12/28 – Superplay USA
12/29 – Jensen Beach Holiday Sand Sculptures
12/30 – 76 Golf World
12/31 – Holiday Cookie Baking (on campus)
01/04 – TBA
In observance of the Christmas and New Year holiday Chesterbrook Academy will be…
CLOSED
Friday, December 25th
Friday, January 1st
EARLY CLOSINGS
Thursday, December 24th – 3:00pm
Thursday, December 31st – 3:00pm
DECEMBER 2015
EDUCATION ARTICLE
Exploring Holiday Traditions from Around the World
The holiday season is here, providing a wealth of opportunities to enrich the children’s understanding of diverse cultures and traditions around the world. In addition, our students will share their own traditions with others.
Below are age appropriate activities that we use in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: As they near the age of two, children begin to recognize the sights and sounds of holidays celebrated by their family. Parents visit our classrooms to share holiday traditions, including unique books, songs and activities.
At home: Gather family photos and point out traditions, such as unwrapping presents, eating holiday dinner at grandma’s house, and making a snowman. Encourage your child to talk about what he sees in the photos.
Recommended reading: Children Around the World Celebrate Christmas by Christine Tangvald, Happy Hanukkah, Corduroy by Don Freeman, My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Children sing holiday songs from around the world and are introduced to holiday symbols that they may see in their communities, such as Christmas trees or Hanukkah menorahs.
At home: Take a drive with your child or bring him to various holiday festivals in your community. Encourage him to look for and identify holiday decorations.
Recommended reading: Christmas Around the World by Calliope Glass, Hanukkah Hop by Erica Silverman, Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna Washington
PRE-K/PRE-K2 (ages 4-5)
In the classroom: After learning about holiday traditions around the world, our older preschoolers identify countries on a globe. For example, they might learn about Diwali, the festival of lights, and then find India on the globe. They might make tamales, a dish often served on Christmas, and then find Mexico on the globe.
At home: Ask your child to help you prepare your family’s favorite holiday foods. Talk about the long-standing traditions in which these foods are rooted. For instance, you might explain, “I used to bake cookies for the holidays with my mom. Now we can start baking cookies together!”
Recommended reading: Children Just Like Me: Celebrations by Anabel Kindersley, Light the Lights: A Story about Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas by Margaret Moorman, The Story of Kwanzaa by Mary Washington
Exposing children to various holiday traditions helps them build strong social skills, establish a sense of self, and respect the differences of others as they transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education