Notes from the Principal:
Dear Families,
Well, March came in and left us as a Lion. We sure are ready for spring and milder weather to come our way!
Priority Registration was a wonderful success – thank you to our 120 families who have already committed for the 2015-16 school year. This pre-registration aids us greatly in our planning for the upcoming school year!
April, once again, will be full of fun and activities! We invite you to join us in celebrating The Week of the Young Child April 12h – 18th. Our Theme this year is “Exploring Our World through Literature!” Special activities and events are planned throughout the entire week! The annual family breakfast will be held Wednesday, April 15th in Building B – Room 10. We will be sending out our Calendar of Events shortly to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
Scholastic Book Fair is returning April 27th through May 1st. This is a Buy One Get One Free event! For every item purchased, you will get another of equal or lesser value Free! This is a great way to promote reading and get some new titles for your home library just in time for summer!
Now that spring has arrived (even if the weather does not know it), the days are growing longer and the children are able to spend even more time exploring their world outdoors. Children learn through active play. They use all of their senses to make new discoveries. As the children interact directly with their environment, they gather information and build and develop skills. Taking advantage of this beautiful weather and bringing our children outside to play helps them to learn and grow as they discover new things in their ever changing environment. Some children’s clothing may become a bit soiled as we explore the outdoors, and we appreciate your understanding. With the change in seasons, it is the perfect time to check your child’s extra clothing; just as the weather is changing, our children are growing!
Also, please make sure that you are labeling all your child’s belongings. Please remember that we do not allow any opened toe shoes, such as flip flops, sandals or crocs on the playground since they present a safety risk. Sneakers are the best choice for outdoor play.
As always, it is an honor to work with and watch your children grow. Thank you for choosing our school for your children.
Sincerely,
Lisa Delaney, Principal
For Parents
Have you registered for the School Year 2015-2016? If you need to register for 2015-16 or Summer Camp, additional forms are available at the office.
Parent Survey Results are in!
Dear Families,
The results are in! We have received the results from our Parent Survey that many of you completed this past November and December. We are so happy to report that you are very satisfied with our school and the quality of our program! We are thrilled with your positive comments and constructive feedback.
Attached, you will see the updated version of our parent testimonial flyer that is included in our tour packets. The positive comments that are listed are just a few of the overwhelming number of positive comments you made on the parent survey. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your honesty and sincerity!
When asked what we could do to improve your experience with us, your feedback tells us that you would like to see healthier and greater variety in our meal and snack options. We appreciate your feedback and want to share more information on the food we offer. We also invite you to try some samples, which will be available in the lobbies of both Building A and B in the coming days.
Here are some Highlights from our Menu:
- Seasonal Fresh Fruits & Vegetables served at Breakfast, Lunch & Snack
- All Canned Fruit is packed in Natural Fruit Juices Not Syrup
- Whole Milk from Rosenberger’s Dairy is served for children Ages 1-24 months
- Shelf -Stable 1% Milk, Not treated with rBST/rBGH from Natrel is served for Children over 2yrs.
- Vegetables served are fresh or frozen, not canned.
- All Grains are Whole Grains
We are putting together Staff Bio Books for both buildings as well. Our hope is that this resource will help our families garner some information to help you get to know our staff. Our teachers work together to make Chesterbrook Academy the best preschool for your family. This will give you the opportunity to take a moment to see who your child’s future teachers will be, or to remember loved teachers from years gone by.
We are also asking you to participate in our Teacher Shout-out Forum. All you have to do is share something special about your child’s teachers or a special classroom experiences. We will display your comments in both Buildings to give our families and staff glimpse into our classrooms!
Again, thank you for participating in our parent survey and for your constant support of our school. We appreciate all that you do to help us make our school a quality early childhood education program.
From the Education Department
Appreciating the Wonders of Mother Nature
Spring is here and Earth Day is right around the corner, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect children with nature and reinforce the importance of preserving and protecting the world around us.
Our Links to Learning curriculum uses hands-on activities to cultivate a deeper connection to the earth and foster academic, physical and social skill development.
Below are activities we implement in our classrooms to get children excited about nature, as well as activities and books to read with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
- In the classroom: Our teachers provide natural objects, such as leaves, pinecones and flowers for the children to see and touch. We help children associate words with the concrete objects they represent.
- At-home activity: Allow your child to experience different textured fruits, such as an orange, watermelon and cantaloupe. Talk about what he sees, smells, tastes and feels.
- Recommended reading: Colors from Nature from PlayBac Publishing and The Earth Book by Todd Parr
BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3):
- In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to understand interdependencies in nature. For instance, they learn that ladybugs feed on insects that are harmful to gardens, trees and shrubs. On Earth Day, many of our students have the opportunity to release ladybugs to help local gardens.
- At-home activity: Take a walk outdoors with your child and play a game of “I Spy.” Ask him point out objects found in the springtime, for example a red flower, a blue bird or a colorful butterfly.
- Recommended reading: Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli & David T. Wenzel and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4):
- In the classroom: As our Intermediates gain a greater understanding and appreciation for how living things grow, the class may adopt a pet such as a fish or bunny. Students develop math, science and language skills by measuring the pet’s food, observing the pet’s behavior and habitat, and learning new vocabulary. Research shows that when children have the opportunity to care for animals, they practice nurturing behaviors that help them interact in gentle ways with people also.
- At-home activity: Create a small garden and allow your child to help you plant and water seeds, either outdoors or indoors. Ask him to predict what the plant will look like by drawing pictures in his journal. Check the plant regularly so he can observe and measure changes in growth. Discuss the importance of watering and caring for the plant.
- Recommended reading: Our Earth by Anne Rockwell and the poem “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out!” by Shel Silverstein
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5):
- In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to reuse recyclable materials in fun and unconventional ways. For instance, our students use cardboard boxes to create a castle, milk jug lids to sort and match, and plastic bottles to create beautiful, unique artwork.
- At-home activity: Set up a recycling station using cardboard boxes, and label each box with the words “metal”, “plastic” and “paper”. Throughout the month, ask your child to help sort your family’s recyclables by placing the items into the correct box. Explain that recycling is just one way that we can be kind to the earth. Ask him to name a few other ways, such as conserving electricity, picking up litter and planting a garden.
- Recommended reading: A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry and The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
We create a path for lifelong learning by providing numerous opportunities for children to study and explore nature. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as students transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education
April News
Notes from the Principal:
Dear Families,
Well, March came in and left us as a Lion. We sure are ready for spring and milder weather to come our way!
Priority Registration was a wonderful success – thank you to our 120 families who have already committed for the 2015-16 school year. This pre-registration aids us greatly in our planning for the upcoming school year!
April, once again, will be full of fun and activities! We invite you to join us in celebrating The Week of the Young Child April 12h – 18th. Our Theme this year is “Exploring Our World through Literature!” Special activities and events are planned throughout the entire week! The annual family breakfast will be held Wednesday, April 15th in Building B – Room 10. We will be sending out our Calendar of Events shortly to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
Scholastic Book Fair is returning April 27th through May 1st. This is a Buy One Get One Free event! For every item purchased, you will get another of equal or lesser value Free! This is a great way to promote reading and get some new titles for your home library just in time for summer!
Now that spring has arrived (even if the weather does not know it), the days are growing longer and the children are able to spend even more time exploring their world outdoors. Children learn through active play. They use all of their senses to make new discoveries. As the children interact directly with their environment, they gather information and build and develop skills. Taking advantage of this beautiful weather and bringing our children outside to play helps them to learn and grow as they discover new things in their ever changing environment. Some children’s clothing may become a bit soiled as we explore the outdoors, and we appreciate your understanding. With the change in seasons, it is the perfect time to check your child’s extra clothing; just as the weather is changing, our children are growing!
Also, please make sure that you are labeling all your child’s belongings. Please remember that we do not allow any opened toe shoes, such as flip flops, sandals or crocs on the playground since they present a safety risk. Sneakers are the best choice for outdoor play.
As always, it is an honor to work with and watch your children grow. Thank you for choosing our school for your children.
Sincerely,
Lisa Delaney, Principal
For Parents
Have you registered for the School Year 2015-2016? If you need to register for 2015-16 or Summer Camp, additional forms are available at the office.
Parent Survey Results are in!
Dear Families,
The results are in! We have received the results from our Parent Survey that many of you completed this past November and December. We are so happy to report that you are very satisfied with our school and the quality of our program! We are thrilled with your positive comments and constructive feedback.
Attached, you will see the updated version of our parent testimonial flyer that is included in our tour packets. The positive comments that are listed are just a few of the overwhelming number of positive comments you made on the parent survey. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your honesty and sincerity!
When asked what we could do to improve your experience with us, your feedback tells us that you would like to see healthier and greater variety in our meal and snack options. We appreciate your feedback and want to share more information on the food we offer. We also invite you to try some samples, which will be available in the lobbies of both Building A and B in the coming days.
Here are some Highlights from our Menu:
We are putting together Staff Bio Books for both buildings as well. Our hope is that this resource will help our families garner some information to help you get to know our staff. Our teachers work together to make Chesterbrook Academy the best preschool for your family. This will give you the opportunity to take a moment to see who your child’s future teachers will be, or to remember loved teachers from years gone by.
We are also asking you to participate in our Teacher Shout-out Forum. All you have to do is share something special about your child’s teachers or a special classroom experiences. We will display your comments in both Buildings to give our families and staff glimpse into our classrooms!
Again, thank you for participating in our parent survey and for your constant support of our school. We appreciate all that you do to help us make our school a quality early childhood education program.
From the Education Department
Appreciating the Wonders of Mother Nature
Our Links to Learning curriculum uses hands-on activities to cultivate a deeper connection to the earth and foster academic, physical and social skill development.
Below are activities we implement in our classrooms to get children excited about nature, as well as activities and books to read with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3):
INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4):
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5):
We create a path for lifelong learning by providing numerous opportunities for children to study and explore nature. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as students transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education