From the Principal:
Spring is finally here. Now all we need is some warm weather. Picture Day will be held on Thursday, April 2nd. If your child is not scheduled to be here that day, please feel free to stop in to get their picture taken. We will be taking class shots. We wouldn’t want them to miss it.
Soccer shots has begun. If you would still like to sign up it is not too late. Stop in the office to get the information. Soccer shots is held every Thursday, weather permitting through May.
Our kindergarteners will be taking the the SAT 10 tests the week of April 20. If your child is in this class please look for information in the upcoming weeks. Miss. Jessica will also be holding parent/teacher conferences the week of April 13th. Please make sure to see the sign up sheet in classroom.
We will be hosting our annual Ladybug Release Day on Wednesday, April 22nd in the morning. More information will be forthcoming.
Summer camp information has been put in all of the children’s cubbies. Please complete the sheet telling us which weeks your child will be attending. There is also a spot asking for a t-shirt size. Please take note that Miss Ann and Miss Michelle have one of every size shirt in the office if you would like to take a look before choosing.
If you have not yet signed up for the remind text alert please do so. If you need the information please stop in the office. If you are signed up, please remember to call the school letting us know that you have received the message.
Please make sure that your child has a weather appropriate change of clothes in their cubbies. All kinds of accidents can happen. Also, please make sure your child is coming in with a warm jacket, hat and gloves as we will be going outside on a daily basis (weather permitting). We don’t want the kids to be cold while outside.
For the safety of the children and all adults please make sure to turn off your cars when dropping off and picking up your children.
Music and Math
Mathematics and music are intertwined. Math is innate within people of all cultures around the world and lays the groundwork for musical composition and performance. Music is also innate within people of all cultures and is mathematical by nature. The counting of beats and the rhythm of songs, note values and time signatures, the frequency of pitch, the pattern-based compositional structure of music, and even the physical design of musical instruments all rely on fundamental mathematical principals.
Music instruction stimulates a child’s mind and reinforces basic mathematical concepts. Research has shown that children who are exposed to music instruction at an early age show greater spatial temporal reasoning intelligence, the reasoning required for higher brain functions such as chess, mathematics, engineering, science, art, games and everyday life. Music education also enhances abstract reasoning abilities, improves math skills, can facilitate learning to read and builds a child’s self confidence that can result in success in other areas of learning.
Music is an important part of our curriculum. While Infants are exposed to pleasant music throughout their day, our Toddlers begin playing simple instruments and moving to music. Our Beginner classes sing and move to music and can identify loud and soft. Intermediates and Pre-K students clap and move to the beat and experiment with sounds and tempos using simple instruments and clapping patterns. Finally, our Kindergarten students begin exploring music from various cultures through the world.
We encourage you to sing, to dance, and to listen to music with your preschooler! There is a wealth of wonderful music for young children, much of which is available in the iTunes store or on CD. Make the car ride fun and educational-turn on some music and help your child prepare for future academic challenges!
For Parents
We thank you for your continued support of our programs. It is always wonderful to see the parents’ involvement in all that we do at Chesterbrook!!
Don’t Forget to take a look at all the special activities we continue to offer:
- Miss Bootsie, Dancing
- Miss Vicki…aka DeMarco’s Palette Art!
- Soccer Shots Fall and Spring
- Music with Mr. Tom
From the desk of Donna Miller:
Dear Infant Parents,
Chesterbrook Academy Schools are the industry leaders in providing strong early childhood programs for their children. We are constantly evaluating our current operational practices and identifying new ways to continue to keep our children safe and healthy.
This communication is to make you aware of two initiatives that we have in place in our infant program. The first initiative is to make our families aware of recent information and trainings associated with safe sleep practices. We will then ask that you adopt our Safe Sleep Practice as part of the enrollment process. The second initiative is one that has enhanced our bottle feeding practices.
The Safe Sleep initiative is in place for all of our infant families. You will be educated on the Safe Sleep Practice at the time of enrollment. You will also be asked to sign the document which shares that they understand and will adhere to the expectations of the Safe Sleep Practice. All of our infant staff have been trained on the procedure and have a certificate of completion on file. As new infant teachers are hired they will be trained on both the Safe Sleep Practice and Bottle Feeding and Labeling System. Our safe sleep practice includes the elimination of any and all soft items in the crib. Soft items would include stuffed animals, dolls, mobiles, bumpers, blankets and lovies. Our rooms are kept at temperatures that are warm enough for the babies. However, if you would still like your child to have some type of outerwear, i.e. blanket, the Association of American Pediatrics recommends a sleep sack.
The second initiative is a color-coded labeling system for our Infant Program. Each child is assigned a specific color and Cubby tags, Crib labels, Daily Sheets, and Bottles are identified by that color. Chesterbrook Academy will supply you with all materials needed from our labeling system supplier, Applied Labels. You are welcome to preview the system and materials on Applied Labels website at www.appliedlabels.com.
Our preschool management team is ready to assist you with enrollment at Chesterbrook Academy and answer any questions you may have. We are looking forward to having your family join ours.
Sincerely,
Donna Bonfiglio-Miller, Executive Director
Parent Reminders
Watch Channel 6 ABC for any school closings and Weather associated late openings. Look for Chesterbrook Academy, North Wales.
With the weather changing, please remember to update your child’s extra set of clothing in their classroom. Also….It is important to remember that we do try to get the children outside daily..sooo… keep an eye on the weather to make sure that your child is dressed appropriately. Please remember to apply sunscreen daily in the morning. We will reapply in the afternoon.
Are you signing in and out on a daily basis? You should be fulfilling this requirement as a part of your daily routine: Please also inform others who may be dropping off and picking up your children.
Sneakers/closed toe shoes are the required shoe, year round at Chesterbrook Academy for safety purposes. Please be aware that crocs and open toe/heel shoes are not sneakers.
We prefer that toys be left at home, with the exception of naptime friends. Toys from home can cause unnecessary tears and confusion over ownership. We can not be responsible for lost toys.
If your child is unable to eat our scheduled lunch, be it religious, health, allergic or simple dislike, it is your responsibility to provide an alternative lunch. Keep in mind, that Chesterbrook Academy is a nut free environment.
Although it is not required, we ask the courtesy of a phone call if your child will be out for the day.
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
From the Principal:
Spring is finally here. Now all we need is some warm weather. Picture Day will be held on Thursday, April 2nd. If your child is not scheduled to be here that day, please feel free to stop in to get their picture taken. We will be taking class shots. We wouldn’t want them to miss it.
Soccer shots has begun. If you would still like to sign up it is not too late. Stop in the office to get the information. Soccer shots is held every Thursday, weather permitting through May.
Our kindergarteners will be taking the the SAT 10 tests the week of April 20. If your child is in this class please look for information in the upcoming weeks. Miss. Jessica will also be holding parent/teacher conferences the week of April 13th. Please make sure to see the sign up sheet in classroom.
We will be hosting our annual Ladybug Release Day on Wednesday, April 22nd in the morning. More information will be forthcoming.
Summer camp information has been put in all of the children’s cubbies. Please complete the sheet telling us which weeks your child will be attending. There is also a spot asking for a t-shirt size. Please take note that Miss Ann and Miss Michelle have one of every size shirt in the office if you would like to take a look before choosing.
If you have not yet signed up for the remind text alert please do so. If you need the information please stop in the office. If you are signed up, please remember to call the school letting us know that you have received the message.
Please make sure that your child has a weather appropriate change of clothes in their cubbies. All kinds of accidents can happen. Also, please make sure your child is coming in with a warm jacket, hat and gloves as we will be going outside on a daily basis (weather permitting). We don’t want the kids to be cold while outside.
For the safety of the children and all adults please make sure to turn off your cars when dropping off and picking up your children.
Music and Math
Mathematics and music are intertwined. Math is innate within people of all cultures around the world and lays the groundwork for musical composition and performance. Music is also innate within people of all cultures and is mathematical by nature. The counting of beats and the rhythm of songs, note values and time signatures, the frequency of pitch, the pattern-based compositional structure of music, and even the physical design of musical instruments all rely on fundamental mathematical principals.
Music instruction stimulates a child’s mind and reinforces basic mathematical concepts. Research has shown that children who are exposed to music instruction at an early age show greater spatial temporal reasoning intelligence, the reasoning required for higher brain functions such as chess, mathematics, engineering, science, art, games and everyday life. Music education also enhances abstract reasoning abilities, improves math skills, can facilitate learning to read and builds a child’s self confidence that can result in success in other areas of learning.
Music is an important part of our curriculum. While Infants are exposed to pleasant music throughout their day, our Toddlers begin playing simple instruments and moving to music. Our Beginner classes sing and move to music and can identify loud and soft. Intermediates and Pre-K students clap and move to the beat and experiment with sounds and tempos using simple instruments and clapping patterns. Finally, our Kindergarten students begin exploring music from various cultures through the world.
We encourage you to sing, to dance, and to listen to music with your preschooler! There is a wealth of wonderful music for young children, much of which is available in the iTunes store or on CD. Make the car ride fun and educational-turn on some music and help your child prepare for future academic challenges!
For Parents
We thank you for your continued support of our programs. It is always wonderful to see the parents’ involvement in all that we do at Chesterbrook!!
Don’t Forget to take a look at all the special activities we continue to offer:
From the desk of Donna Miller:
Dear Infant Parents,
Chesterbrook Academy Schools are the industry leaders in providing strong early childhood programs for their children. We are constantly evaluating our current operational practices and identifying new ways to continue to keep our children safe and healthy.
This communication is to make you aware of two initiatives that we have in place in our infant program. The first initiative is to make our families aware of recent information and trainings associated with safe sleep practices. We will then ask that you adopt our Safe Sleep Practice as part of the enrollment process. The second initiative is one that has enhanced our bottle feeding practices.
The Safe Sleep initiative is in place for all of our infant families. You will be educated on the Safe Sleep Practice at the time of enrollment. You will also be asked to sign the document which shares that they understand and will adhere to the expectations of the Safe Sleep Practice. All of our infant staff have been trained on the procedure and have a certificate of completion on file. As new infant teachers are hired they will be trained on both the Safe Sleep Practice and Bottle Feeding and Labeling System. Our safe sleep practice includes the elimination of any and all soft items in the crib. Soft items would include stuffed animals, dolls, mobiles, bumpers, blankets and lovies. Our rooms are kept at temperatures that are warm enough for the babies. However, if you would still like your child to have some type of outerwear, i.e. blanket, the Association of American Pediatrics recommends a sleep sack.
The second initiative is a color-coded labeling system for our Infant Program. Each child is assigned a specific color and Cubby tags, Crib labels, Daily Sheets, and Bottles are identified by that color. Chesterbrook Academy will supply you with all materials needed from our labeling system supplier, Applied Labels. You are welcome to preview the system and materials on Applied Labels website at www.appliedlabels.com.
Our preschool management team is ready to assist you with enrollment at Chesterbrook Academy and answer any questions you may have. We are looking forward to having your family join ours.
Sincerely,
Donna Bonfiglio-Miller, Executive Director
Parent Reminders
Watch Channel 6 ABC for any school closings and Weather associated late openings. Look for Chesterbrook Academy, North Wales.
With the weather changing, please remember to update your child’s extra set of clothing in their classroom. Also….It is important to remember that we do try to get the children outside daily..sooo… keep an eye on the weather to make sure that your child is dressed appropriately. Please remember to apply sunscreen daily in the morning. We will reapply in the afternoon.
Are you signing in and out on a daily basis? You should be fulfilling this requirement as a part of your daily routine: Please also inform others who may be dropping off and picking up your children.
Sneakers/closed toe shoes are the required shoe, year round at Chesterbrook Academy for safety purposes. Please be aware that crocs and open toe/heel shoes are not sneakers.
We prefer that toys be left at home, with the exception of naptime friends. Toys from home can cause unnecessary tears and confusion over ownership. We can not be responsible for lost toys.
If your child is unable to eat our scheduled lunch, be it religious, health, allergic or simple dislike, it is your responsibility to provide an alternative lunch. Keep in mind, that Chesterbrook Academy is a nut free environment.
Although it is not required, we ask the courtesy of a phone call if your child will be out for the day.
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:
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