From the Principal’s Office
Dear families,
2016 seems to be flying by already. I am very glad we made it through the tiny amount of snow with no closures or delays like our sister schools in Charlotte. Let’s hope that we make it through the rest of the Winter with no drastic weather. However, if we are not that lucky, please make sure that you are aware of how to find out about delays and closings. The information will always be updated on our school website, the voicemail will be changed and all parents will be e-notified.
February is going to be another busy month for us. Please check the calendar as we have many field trips, non-uniform days, Valentines parties, staff professional development days and other exciting things happening.
Along with all of that fun, it is time to begin our in house registration for summer camp and for the 2016/17 school year. You will be receiving information about those registrations very soon. It is important that you register as soon as possible as we do not want to risk not having a spot for your family. Registration for external families begins on March 12th, so you definitely want to be registered and have those registration fees paid by then so that we can guarantee your space.
I do want to take a moment to thank everyone for making our job easier when it comes to collecting tuition in a timely fashion. We know this period after Christmas is always the hardest, and we appreciate the timely manner in which you take care of it. Remember, you can sign up for ACH payments at any time. I know we could all appreciate having one less thing to remember.
Thank you all for your congratulations and words of advice regarding my pregnancy. As a first time mom to be, every little bit of it is appreciated.
Stay warm and safe and busy this February.
Regards,
Helen Parks, Principal
Automatic Payment Program
Weather Policy
In the event of severe weather, we will make every effort to open on schedule and to remain open during the course of our regular hours of operation. In the event that severe weather requires us to close our school, delay our school or close early, parents will be notified initially by e-notify. Please make sure we have your most current email address and that you have added us to your address book so our message does not go to spam. In the event that your employer will not allow you to receive email at work, please provide us with an alternate email address for you. Information will also be posted to the school’s website which is www.cbacolumbia.com.
You can also tune into WIS channel 10 for closing and/or delay information.
**Chesterbrook Academy DOES NOT follow the schedule of
Richland School District 2 during weather delays or closings**
Winter Weather Preparedness!!
We will continue morning and afternoon playground time as long as the temperature is comfortable for outside play. Please have your child prepared for outside time…heavy coats, hats, gloves, and scarves (be sure to label all items) to keep them warm and cozy during these chilly-sometimes cold days.
2016-2017 Registration Information
for Current Chesterbrook Families
Paperwork for Summer Camp 2016 and the 2016-2017 School Year will be available mid-to-late February for current Chesterbrook families. At this time, you will be able to register your child(ren) for the Summer Camp program and/or upcoming school year. This is also the time to register any siblings that meet the age requirements of the school. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Helen, Melissa, or Andrea.
- Black History Month
- National Children’s Dental Health Month
- 2 – Groundhog Day.
- 3 – Kindergarten for a Day (Rooms 6, 7, & 8).
- 3 – N.U.T. Day for Superbowl Wednesday – wear your favorite football attire!
- 5 – N.U.T. Day for the American Heart Association – wear RED!
- 12 – Valentine’s Day Parties – check with your child’s teachers for details (no uniforms).
- 12-26 – Equal Exchange Fundraiser.
- 15 – School Closed – Professional Staff Development Day.
- 16 – Lifetouch Portraits – Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (no uniforms).
- 17 – Lifetouch Portraits – Rooms 11, 10, 9 (no uniforms).
- 18 – Lifetouch Portraits – Rooms 6, 7, 8 (no uniforms).
- 18 – Lifetouch Portraits – Room 12 (including Cap & Gown) no uniforms.
- 19 – Lifetouch Portraits – All classrooms taking group pictures in school uniform. Sibling and make-up portraits are also on this day.
- 19 – Little Caesar’s Pizza Fundraiser orders delivered (subject to change).
- 29 – Links to Learning Folders Go Home.
Thursday, February 4th
Edventure
– Rooms 1 & 2
– Cost is $4.00 per child, $5.00 per adult
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt (if available)
**If you plan on coming to the school first, they will leave at 8:30am, otherwise you can meet them at Edventure. The field trip starts at 9am.
Friday, February 5th
Edventure
– Rooms 3, 4 , & 5
– Cost is $4.00 per child, $5.00 per adult
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt (if available)
**If you plan on coming to the school first, they will leave at 8:30am, otherwise you can meet them at Edventure. The field trip starts at 9am.
Wednesday, February 10th
Wine & Design Canvas Painting
– Room 7
– Cost is $11.00 per child
– Leaving at: 9:00am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Tuesday, February 16th
CoCo Yoga
– Room 11
– Cost is $8.00 per child
– Leaving at: 8:50am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Wednesday, February 17th
Wine & Design Canvas Painting
– Room 6
– Cost is $11.00 per child
– Leaving at: 9:00am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Monday, February 22nd
Wine & Design Canvas Painting
– Room 9
– Cost is $11.00 per child
– Leaving at: 9:00am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Tuesday, February 23rd
Wine & Design Canvas Painting
– Room 10
– Cost is $11.00 per child
– Leaving at: 9:00am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Wednesday, February 24th
Children’s Theatre
– Room 8
– Cost is $6.00 per child
– Leaving at: 8:30am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Friday, February 26th
Coco Yoga
– Room 12
– Cost is $3.00 per child
– Leaving at: 8:50am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
*Field Trips are subject to change due to situations that may arise.
Resources
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!! We invite you to “like” our page at www.facebook.com/ChesterbrookAcademy where we’ll be providing our fans with regular educational tips for children from preschool to 8th grade and the opportunity to network with fellow parents. We would love to have your participation in this forum and encourage you to continue to check our school website for local updates specific to our own school. We look forward to having you as part of our Facebook community!
Open Registration & Open House to the Public – Saturday, March 12th: Invite a family member or friend to come to our Open Registration (7am-1pm) & Open House (10am-1pm) on Saturday, March 12, 2016. This is the day to register your child(ren) for Summer Camp 2016 and/or the 2016-2017 School Year. Be prepared to complete the required school paperwork and pay the registration, activity, and one week’s deposit fees. If you have any questions, please contact Helen, Melissa, or Andrea.
Reminders
Entry & Exit Doors: ** DO NOT USE THE BACK DOOR FOR ENTRY TO THE SCHOOL!!!** As you all know there is a code required for entry to the school. Please be sure to limit the code to family members and/or friends that are picking up your child(ren) on a regular basis. Do not give the code to your child(ren). In addition, everyone should use the front entrance for drop off and pick up. We advise strongly not to let individuals in the side entry door, as this person may or may not be a Chesterbrook parent or other family member. The side door is to only be used as an exit. This guarantees the safety of Chesterbrook Academy students and staff. Thanks in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
Chesterbrook Academy & Queensboro Apparel Company: If you are interested in ordering Chesterbrook Logo apparel for your child(ren), please view our online store. You may notice all the wonderful colors available, but please keep in mind that Chesterbrook Academy uniform colors are Navy, White and Forest/Dark Green.
Chesterbrook Academy & Mabel’s Labels: As a way to target the problem of lost belongings and a large lost and found closet, Chesterbrook Academy is fundraising with Mabel’s Labels, a company with all types of labels that are colorful, indestructible, easy-to-use and fun! Iron-Ons, Stickies, Bag Tags, Allergy Alert labels & more! Personalize your labels with names, nicknames, initials – whatever you choose. Cool icons help even little ones identify their own belongings. Dishwasher, microwave, laundry & kid tested! Dispatched within 24 hours!
Visit www.chesterbrookacademy.mabelslabels.com to place your order.
For Parents
Tuition: Parents, please understand the importance of paying your tuition & paying it on time! Payments are due every Friday for the coming week. Late fees will be applied at 12 noon on Monday following the due date. Unpaid tuition, more than a week past due, will result in immediate dis-enrollment. If you have any questions, please see Helen, Melissa or Andrea in the front office. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Field Trips for the 2015-16 School Year: Please be reminded that students must wear the Chesterbrook logo navy t-shirts on field trips. All monies for field trips are to be collected by someone in the front office. Please be sure to turn in signed permission slips for scheduled field trips to your child’s teacher.
Automatic Payment Program: Parents this is a very easy way for you to not worry about writing those checks every week and avoiding late fees. APP can be used to pay tuition only invoices or all invoices (tuition, registration & activity fees). Please see Helen, Melissa or Andrea in the front office for details and information on getting signed up or you can print the form from the link on the school website. In addition, you can also set up online bill-pay through your bank.
Contact Information: Please be sure that all home, work, cell and pager numbers and any other contact information is up to date in your child’s file. This helps the staff at Chesterbrook have every available option to contact the parent(s) in the event of an emergency.
E-Mail Addresses: Please update your email addresses with the front office in order to receive important information about upcoming and/or emergency events from the school. We can send email notifications to more than one email address.
School Operating Hours: This is a friendly reminder that Chesterbrook’s hours of operation are 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday thru Friday. Half day hours of operation are 8:30 am – 11:30 am. The late pick up fee is $15 per child for the first 15 minutes and an additional $15 per child for each quarter hour after the regularly scheduled pick up time. Also parents, if you are running late and its close to closing time, please be sure to give the school a courtesy call.
Parent Ambassador Program: Spread the word about our school and save on your child’s tuition! Refer a new family to our school and you could earn a free week of tuition. For more information on our Ambassador Program, see your school’s principal. The current referring Chesterbrook family will receive a discount after the referred child has attended full time for 3 months. Discount applies to the tuition of the oldest child in the referring family.
For Parents & Teachers
NUT FREE SCHOOL: We have several children enrolled at Chesterbrook Academy with severe nut allergies. Please do not send your child to school with food containing any type of nut products.
Prescription Policy for Chronic or Allergic Conditions:
** WE CANNOT ADMINISTER OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS TO YOUR CHILD**
Medication may be brought in for chronic or life threatening medical conditions. All medications must be in their original container with the prescription label attached to include the proper administering time(s) and dosage to be given. For the use of a nebulizer, a letter or note will be required from your child’s doctor’s office stating time(s) to be administered and the tubule dosage to be given. In addition, an “Authorization to Administer Medication Form” must be completed and turned in by the parent. Please see Helen, Melissa or Andrea in the front office if you have any questions or concerns.
Weather Policy: In the event of severe weather, we will make every effort to open on schedule and to remain open during the course of our regular hours of operation. In the event that severe weather requires us to close our school, delay our school or close early, parents will be notified initially by e-notify. Please make sure we have your most current email address and that you have added us to your address book so our message does not go to spam. In the event that your employer will not allow you to receive email at work, please provide us with an alternate email address for you. Parents may also call the school’s voicemail at 803-699-9988 and listen to the prerecorded message by 5:30 a.m. for information regarding the operating hours. Information will also be posted to the school’s website which is http://Wildewood.ChesterbrookAcademy.com. You can also tune into WIS channel 10 and/or WLTX channel 19 for closing and/or delay information.
**Chesterbrook Academy DOES NOT follow the schedule of Richland School District 2 during weather delays or closings**
Sign In & Out Books: We wanted to take this time to remind you all about an important security here at Chesterbrook. Please remember to sign your child in and out every day on the class Sign In/Out sheets located outside or inside of your child’s classroom everyday. If someone on your child’s authorized pick-up list is picking up, please remind him or her to do so as well. Although we have never had any problem nor do we expect to in the future, this is an important security measure that keeps all of the children safe. Thank you for your continued compliance with our security policies.
Uniform Policy: All children from 3 year old Preschool and up are required to wear uniforms daily at Chesterbrook Academy. The official uniform is navy blue (NOT jean) or khaki bottoms and white, navy blue or hunter green solid tops. Girls may also wear navy blue or khaki jumpers, skirts, skorts, or the plaid jumper offered by the uniform company, Flynn & O’Hara. Shoes should be white, black, brown, or navy blue and preferably athletic type.
Parking Policy
- Traffic should enter the school parking lot at the first driveway and exit through the carport out the last driveway.
- Cars should be parked in designated parking spaces or on the road above the school.
- Please do not park under the carport, behind the bus, or in front of the dumpster.
- Please do not block the mailbox.
- All preschoolers must be escorted into the school by an adult.
- Elementary students may be dropped off at the front door. Cars should stop in the right lane only and students should exit their cars through the passenger side door.
- Please do not allow your child to run through the parking lot unattended or play on the hill.
- Please drive slowly on school property. Be courteous and patient with other drivers and watch out for our children.
Illness Policy
A parent of a child that is determined to be ill shall be notified immediately. The child must be picked up within an hour of notification. No child shall be allowed to remain at school with the following conditions:
- Elevated Temperature (100 degrees or higher)
- Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
- Head Lice
- Other Communicable Diseases (ie. chicken pox, strep throat, etc.)
Student Pick-Up: Parents, please be sure to inform the teachers and/or front office if another family member or friend will pick up your child. This applies to names that are on your list as well as names that are not. If it will be the first time the family member or friend picks up your child, please remind them to bring in their drivers license when they come in. This is very important to insure the safety of your child(ren).
School Spotlight
Start Date: Friday, February 12th
End Date: Friday, Febraury 26th
February Birthdays
Students
2 – Corley Finklin
3 – Kayleigh Jarvis-Hicks
4 – Kelsey McClary
6 – Gemma Potter
7 – Keaton Nottingham
7 – Julia White
8 – Addison Maradei
8 – Cate Maradei
11 – Nicholas Gatson
12 – Justen Chishom
15 – Morgan Lewis
15 – Camden Stricklin
19 – Carlie Kimberger
21 – Kylee Gardiner
23 – Cannon Armstrong
27 – Nassir Guirand
29 – Gregg Anazia
Staff
14 – Tiffany Knight
17 – Helen Parks
18 – Ryan Glover
From the Education Department
Helping Your Preschooler Develop
Positive Friendship Skills
Are you puzzled by some of your child’s social behaviors? Have you noticed that your toddler doesn’t interact with other children very often? Does your three-year-old get frustrated when a classmate won’t play with him? Will your four-year-old only play with her best friend?
These are all normal social behaviors for preschoolers. Learning how to develop friendships is a lifelong process. Children’s social behaviors evolve from smiling and cooing at others, to engaging in parallel play, to eventually forming friendships and playing together.
Below are ways we help develop friendships in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Before they can communicate verbally, infants build connections by smiling, cooing and crying. By two months old, they might turn toward other infants, and by twelve months, they begin to imitate their peers. Teachers help facilitate this relationship by sitting infants near each other during activities such as story time and tummy time.
At home: Even though infants don’t really play with one another, they still benefit from “play dates” with other infants. Sit your infant face-to-face with another infant or in close proximity to an older sibling, and provide each child separate toys. Note when your infant watches the other child and what captures his attention.
Recommended reading: Friends by Helen Oxenbury and Let’s Play by Leo Lionni
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Many young children tend to engage in “parallel play.” They play near other children, but each child is doing something different. This is a natural phase of development. As children get older, they begin to enjoy more shared activities with their peers. For example, they might enjoy splashing their hands at the water table with others, looking at books while sitting close to a friend, and dancing to music with their classmates.
At home: Invite another parent and child to your home for a play date. Blocks, balls, dress up clothes and toy kitchen sets are great toys for children at this age. Don’t force them to play with each other. Instead, let the children decide on the level of interaction.
Recommended reading: Do You Want to be My Friend? by Eric Carle and I Can Share by Karen Katz
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: In the Beginner classroom, teachers refer to classmates as “friends.” Students learn about personal space and begin to practice good manners by saying please and thank you.
At home: Model positive behaviors while playing with your child. Say “I’m going to roll the ball to you. Can you please roll the ball back to me?” Afterward, say “Thank you. You are being a good friend.”
Recommended reading: How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? by Jane Yolen and Let’s be Friends by P. K. Hallinan
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Between ages three and four, children attempt to understand social situations, but often do so from an egocentric point of view. They need adult guidance to help them navigate peer conflict and model appropriate friendship-making behaviors. Small group activities help children learn how to follow directions, take turns and develop friendships.
At home: Ask your child about their friends and what games they played together. If he says, “Andrew didn’t play with me today. He’s mean,” you could say, “Andrew may have wanted to play a different game today. Maybe you can play together tomorrow. What does Andrew like to play?”
Recommended reading: Just My Friend and Me by Mercer Mayer and Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney
PRE-K/PRE-K2 (ages 4-5)
In the classroom: Friendship in Pre-K and Pre-K2 is usually reciprocal and deliberate as children become more skilled in social interactions and look for peers with shared interests. Our character education program reinforces friendship making skills using songs, games, books and brain-builder activities to nurture skills such as collaboration, understanding feelings and resolving conflicts.
At home: Bring your child to events that include multiple children, such as birthday parties, or encourage your child to play a board game that requires multiple players. Ask him to introduce himself to the other children, or encourage him to play the game taking turns. If you notice frustration from your child, say, “In order to play the game, we all have to play together.”
Recommended reading: Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel and A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom
Don’t be concerned about the number of friends your child has, as it is more about quality than quantity. Each child will develop friendships at his own pace. What matters most is the development of social skills such as collaboration and problem-solving, which will help him transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
February News
From the Principal’s Office
Dear families,
2016 seems to be flying by already. I am very glad we made it through the tiny amount of snow with no closures or delays like our sister schools in Charlotte. Let’s hope that we make it through the rest of the Winter with no drastic weather. However, if we are not that lucky, please make sure that you are aware of how to find out about delays and closings. The information will always be updated on our school website, the voicemail will be changed and all parents will be e-notified.
February is going to be another busy month for us. Please check the calendar as we have many field trips, non-uniform days, Valentines parties, staff professional development days and other exciting things happening.
Along with all of that fun, it is time to begin our in house registration for summer camp and for the 2016/17 school year. You will be receiving information about those registrations very soon. It is important that you register as soon as possible as we do not want to risk not having a spot for your family. Registration for external families begins on March 12th, so you definitely want to be registered and have those registration fees paid by then so that we can guarantee your space.
I do want to take a moment to thank everyone for making our job easier when it comes to collecting tuition in a timely fashion. We know this period after Christmas is always the hardest, and we appreciate the timely manner in which you take care of it. Remember, you can sign up for ACH payments at any time. I know we could all appreciate having one less thing to remember.
Thank you all for your congratulations and words of advice regarding my pregnancy. As a first time mom to be, every little bit of it is appreciated.
Stay warm and safe and busy this February.
Regards,
Helen Parks, Principal
Automatic Payment Program
Weather Policy
In the event of severe weather, we will make every effort to open on schedule and to remain open during the course of our regular hours of operation. In the event that severe weather requires us to close our school, delay our school or close early, parents will be notified initially by e-notify. Please make sure we have your most current email address and that you have added us to your address book so our message does not go to spam. In the event that your employer will not allow you to receive email at work, please provide us with an alternate email address for you. Information will also be posted to the school’s website which is www.cbacolumbia.com.
You can also tune into WIS channel 10 for closing and/or delay information.
**Chesterbrook Academy DOES NOT follow the schedule of
Richland School District 2 during weather delays or closings**
Winter Weather Preparedness!!
We will continue morning and afternoon playground time as long as the temperature is comfortable for outside play. Please have your child prepared for outside time…heavy coats, hats, gloves, and scarves (be sure to label all items) to keep them warm and cozy during these chilly-sometimes cold days.
2016-2017 Registration Information
for Current Chesterbrook Families
Paperwork for Summer Camp 2016 and the 2016-2017 School Year will be available mid-to-late February for current Chesterbrook families. At this time, you will be able to register your child(ren) for the Summer Camp program and/or upcoming school year. This is also the time to register any siblings that meet the age requirements of the school. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Helen, Melissa, or Andrea.
Thursday, February 4th
Edventure
– Rooms 1 & 2
– Cost is $4.00 per child, $5.00 per adult
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt (if available)
**If you plan on coming to the school first, they will leave at 8:30am, otherwise you can meet them at Edventure. The field trip starts at 9am.
Friday, February 5th
Edventure
– Rooms 3, 4 , & 5
– Cost is $4.00 per child, $5.00 per adult
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt (if available)
**If you plan on coming to the school first, they will leave at 8:30am, otherwise you can meet them at Edventure. The field trip starts at 9am.
Wednesday, February 10th
Wine & Design Canvas Painting
– Room 7
– Cost is $11.00 per child
– Leaving at: 9:00am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Tuesday, February 16th
CoCo Yoga
– Room 11
– Cost is $8.00 per child
– Leaving at: 8:50am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Wednesday, February 17th
Wine & Design Canvas Painting
– Room 6
– Cost is $11.00 per child
– Leaving at: 9:00am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Monday, February 22nd
Wine & Design Canvas Painting
– Room 9
– Cost is $11.00 per child
– Leaving at: 9:00am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Tuesday, February 23rd
Wine & Design Canvas Painting
– Room 10
– Cost is $11.00 per child
– Leaving at: 9:00am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Wednesday, February 24th
Children’s Theatre
– Room 8
– Cost is $6.00 per child
– Leaving at: 8:30am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
Friday, February 26th
Coco Yoga
– Room 12
– Cost is $3.00 per child
– Leaving at: 8:50am
– Wear navy Chesterbrook logo t-shirt
*Field Trips are subject to change due to situations that may arise.
Resources
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!! We invite you to “like” our page at www.facebook.com/ChesterbrookAcademy where we’ll be providing our fans with regular educational tips for children from preschool to 8th grade and the opportunity to network with fellow parents. We would love to have your participation in this forum and encourage you to continue to check our school website for local updates specific to our own school. We look forward to having you as part of our Facebook community!
Open Registration & Open House to the Public – Saturday, March 12th: Invite a family member or friend to come to our Open Registration (7am-1pm) & Open House (10am-1pm) on Saturday, March 12, 2016. This is the day to register your child(ren) for Summer Camp 2016 and/or the 2016-2017 School Year. Be prepared to complete the required school paperwork and pay the registration, activity, and one week’s deposit fees. If you have any questions, please contact Helen, Melissa, or Andrea.
Reminders
Entry & Exit Doors: ** DO NOT USE THE BACK DOOR FOR ENTRY TO THE SCHOOL!!!** As you all know there is a code required for entry to the school. Please be sure to limit the code to family members and/or friends that are picking up your child(ren) on a regular basis. Do not give the code to your child(ren). In addition, everyone should use the front entrance for drop off and pick up. We advise strongly not to let individuals in the side entry door, as this person may or may not be a Chesterbrook parent or other family member. The side door is to only be used as an exit. This guarantees the safety of Chesterbrook Academy students and staff. Thanks in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
Chesterbrook Academy & Queensboro Apparel Company: If you are interested in ordering Chesterbrook Logo apparel for your child(ren), please view our online store. You may notice all the wonderful colors available, but please keep in mind that Chesterbrook Academy uniform colors are Navy, White and Forest/Dark Green.
Chesterbrook Academy & Mabel’s Labels: As a way to target the problem of lost belongings and a large lost and found closet, Chesterbrook Academy is fundraising with Mabel’s Labels, a company with all types of labels that are colorful, indestructible, easy-to-use and fun! Iron-Ons, Stickies, Bag Tags, Allergy Alert labels & more! Personalize your labels with names, nicknames, initials – whatever you choose. Cool icons help even little ones identify their own belongings. Dishwasher, microwave, laundry & kid tested! Dispatched within 24 hours!
Visit www.chesterbrookacademy.mabelslabels.com to place your order.
For Parents
Tuition: Parents, please understand the importance of paying your tuition & paying it on time! Payments are due every Friday for the coming week. Late fees will be applied at 12 noon on Monday following the due date. Unpaid tuition, more than a week past due, will result in immediate dis-enrollment. If you have any questions, please see Helen, Melissa or Andrea in the front office. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Field Trips for the 2015-16 School Year: Please be reminded that students must wear the Chesterbrook logo navy t-shirts on field trips. All monies for field trips are to be collected by someone in the front office. Please be sure to turn in signed permission slips for scheduled field trips to your child’s teacher.
Automatic Payment Program: Parents this is a very easy way for you to not worry about writing those checks every week and avoiding late fees. APP can be used to pay tuition only invoices or all invoices (tuition, registration & activity fees). Please see Helen, Melissa or Andrea in the front office for details and information on getting signed up or you can print the form from the link on the school website. In addition, you can also set up online bill-pay through your bank.
Contact Information: Please be sure that all home, work, cell and pager numbers and any other contact information is up to date in your child’s file. This helps the staff at Chesterbrook have every available option to contact the parent(s) in the event of an emergency.
E-Mail Addresses: Please update your email addresses with the front office in order to receive important information about upcoming and/or emergency events from the school. We can send email notifications to more than one email address.
School Operating Hours: This is a friendly reminder that Chesterbrook’s hours of operation are 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday thru Friday. Half day hours of operation are 8:30 am – 11:30 am. The late pick up fee is $15 per child for the first 15 minutes and an additional $15 per child for each quarter hour after the regularly scheduled pick up time. Also parents, if you are running late and its close to closing time, please be sure to give the school a courtesy call.
Parent Ambassador Program: Spread the word about our school and save on your child’s tuition! Refer a new family to our school and you could earn a free week of tuition. For more information on our Ambassador Program, see your school’s principal. The current referring Chesterbrook family will receive a discount after the referred child has attended full time for 3 months. Discount applies to the tuition of the oldest child in the referring family.
For Parents & Teachers
NUT FREE SCHOOL: We have several children enrolled at Chesterbrook Academy with severe nut allergies. Please do not send your child to school with food containing any type of nut products.
Prescription Policy for Chronic or Allergic Conditions:
** WE CANNOT ADMINISTER OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS TO YOUR CHILD**
Medication may be brought in for chronic or life threatening medical conditions. All medications must be in their original container with the prescription label attached to include the proper administering time(s) and dosage to be given. For the use of a nebulizer, a letter or note will be required from your child’s doctor’s office stating time(s) to be administered and the tubule dosage to be given. In addition, an “Authorization to Administer Medication Form” must be completed and turned in by the parent. Please see Helen, Melissa or Andrea in the front office if you have any questions or concerns.
Weather Policy: In the event of severe weather, we will make every effort to open on schedule and to remain open during the course of our regular hours of operation. In the event that severe weather requires us to close our school, delay our school or close early, parents will be notified initially by e-notify. Please make sure we have your most current email address and that you have added us to your address book so our message does not go to spam. In the event that your employer will not allow you to receive email at work, please provide us with an alternate email address for you. Parents may also call the school’s voicemail at 803-699-9988 and listen to the prerecorded message by 5:30 a.m. for information regarding the operating hours. Information will also be posted to the school’s website which is http://Wildewood.ChesterbrookAcademy.com. You can also tune into WIS channel 10 and/or WLTX channel 19 for closing and/or delay information.
**Chesterbrook Academy DOES NOT follow the schedule of Richland School District 2 during weather delays or closings**
Sign In & Out Books: We wanted to take this time to remind you all about an important security here at Chesterbrook. Please remember to sign your child in and out every day on the class Sign In/Out sheets located outside or inside of your child’s classroom everyday. If someone on your child’s authorized pick-up list is picking up, please remind him or her to do so as well. Although we have never had any problem nor do we expect to in the future, this is an important security measure that keeps all of the children safe. Thank you for your continued compliance with our security policies.
Uniform Policy: All children from 3 year old Preschool and up are required to wear uniforms daily at Chesterbrook Academy. The official uniform is navy blue (NOT jean) or khaki bottoms and white, navy blue or hunter green solid tops. Girls may also wear navy blue or khaki jumpers, skirts, skorts, or the plaid jumper offered by the uniform company, Flynn & O’Hara. Shoes should be white, black, brown, or navy blue and preferably athletic type.
Parking Policy
Illness Policy
A parent of a child that is determined to be ill shall be notified immediately. The child must be picked up within an hour of notification. No child shall be allowed to remain at school with the following conditions:
Student Pick-Up: Parents, please be sure to inform the teachers and/or front office if another family member or friend will pick up your child. This applies to names that are on your list as well as names that are not. If it will be the first time the family member or friend picks up your child, please remind them to bring in their drivers license when they come in. This is very important to insure the safety of your child(ren).
School Spotlight
Start Date: Friday, February 12th
End Date: Friday, Febraury 26th
February Birthdays
Students
2 – Corley Finklin
3 – Kayleigh Jarvis-Hicks
4 – Kelsey McClary
6 – Gemma Potter
7 – Keaton Nottingham
7 – Julia White
8 – Addison Maradei
8 – Cate Maradei
11 – Nicholas Gatson
12 – Justen Chishom
15 – Morgan Lewis
15 – Camden Stricklin
19 – Carlie Kimberger
21 – Kylee Gardiner
23 – Cannon Armstrong
27 – Nassir Guirand
29 – Gregg Anazia
Staff
14 – Tiffany Knight
17 – Helen Parks
18 – Ryan Glover
From the Education Department
Helping Your Preschooler Develop
Positive Friendship Skills
Are you puzzled by some of your child’s social behaviors? Have you noticed that your toddler doesn’t interact with other children very often? Does your three-year-old get frustrated when a classmate won’t play with him? Will your four-year-old only play with her best friend?
These are all normal social behaviors for preschoolers. Learning how to develop friendships is a lifelong process. Children’s social behaviors evolve from smiling and cooing at others, to engaging in parallel play, to eventually forming friendships and playing together.
Below are ways we help develop friendships in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Before they can communicate verbally, infants build connections by smiling, cooing and crying. By two months old, they might turn toward other infants, and by twelve months, they begin to imitate their peers. Teachers help facilitate this relationship by sitting infants near each other during activities such as story time and tummy time.
At home: Even though infants don’t really play with one another, they still benefit from “play dates” with other infants. Sit your infant face-to-face with another infant or in close proximity to an older sibling, and provide each child separate toys. Note when your infant watches the other child and what captures his attention.
Recommended reading: Friends by Helen Oxenbury and Let’s Play by Leo Lionni
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Many young children tend to engage in “parallel play.” They play near other children, but each child is doing something different. This is a natural phase of development. As children get older, they begin to enjoy more shared activities with their peers. For example, they might enjoy splashing their hands at the water table with others, looking at books while sitting close to a friend, and dancing to music with their classmates.
At home: Invite another parent and child to your home for a play date. Blocks, balls, dress up clothes and toy kitchen sets are great toys for children at this age. Don’t force them to play with each other. Instead, let the children decide on the level of interaction.
Recommended reading: Do You Want to be My Friend? by Eric Carle and I Can Share by Karen Katz
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: In the Beginner classroom, teachers refer to classmates as “friends.” Students learn about personal space and begin to practice good manners by saying please and thank you.
At home: Model positive behaviors while playing with your child. Say “I’m going to roll the ball to you. Can you please roll the ball back to me?” Afterward, say “Thank you. You are being a good friend.”
Recommended reading: How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? by Jane Yolen and Let’s be Friends by P. K. Hallinan
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Between ages three and four, children attempt to understand social situations, but often do so from an egocentric point of view. They need adult guidance to help them navigate peer conflict and model appropriate friendship-making behaviors. Small group activities help children learn how to follow directions, take turns and develop friendships.
At home: Ask your child about their friends and what games they played together. If he says, “Andrew didn’t play with me today. He’s mean,” you could say, “Andrew may have wanted to play a different game today. Maybe you can play together tomorrow. What does Andrew like to play?”
Recommended reading: Just My Friend and Me by Mercer Mayer and Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney
PRE-K/PRE-K2 (ages 4-5)
In the classroom: Friendship in Pre-K and Pre-K2 is usually reciprocal and deliberate as children become more skilled in social interactions and look for peers with shared interests. Our character education program reinforces friendship making skills using songs, games, books and brain-builder activities to nurture skills such as collaboration, understanding feelings and resolving conflicts.
At home: Bring your child to events that include multiple children, such as birthday parties, or encourage your child to play a board game that requires multiple players. Ask him to introduce himself to the other children, or encourage him to play the game taking turns. If you notice frustration from your child, say, “In order to play the game, we all have to play together.”
Recommended reading: Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel and A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom
Don’t be concerned about the number of friends your child has, as it is more about quality than quantity. Each child will develop friendships at his own pace. What matters most is the development of social skills such as collaboration and problem-solving, which will help him transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education